4th Line Theatre’s Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell is thrilled to announce the return of Megan Murphy's Wild Irish Geese to the Winslow farm. The play had its world premiere at the theatre in August 2025 with a sold-out five-week run, where almost 10,000 people saw the production. Audiences came from across the region, province, country and even many from Ireland to experience the epic production.

“I am delighted to share this remarkable story with audiences once again,” says Blackwell. “Megan has crafted a sweeping and deeply human work that balances epic historical events with intimate personal stories.”

“An old proverb says, ‘a good tale is none the worse for being told twice,’” Murphy states. “Wild Irish Geese will fly again, and I couldn’t be more excited!”

Wild Irish Geese is the story of Irish settlers and their journey to the Peterborough region in 1825. Peter Robinson was the architect of the plan which saw thousands of Irish families come to Canada to escape the brutal poverty which they were facing in Ireland. Eventually over 2,000 impoverished Irish settled in Scotts Plains, later renamed Peterborough and began their lives anew.

Megan Murphy will once again lead the cast of Wild Irish Geese in the role of the Seanchaí, a Gaelic word for a traditional storyteller. Also returning to Wild Irish Geese are M. John Kennedy as Peter Robinson, Patti Shaughnessy, who also worked on the play as Indigenous Story Consultant as Davey Nagle and Nika Migwan, Michelle Chesser, Paul Crough, Matt Gilbert, Mark Hiscox, Sebastian Sage, Mikayla Stoodley, Lindsay Wilson, Stew Granger, Nancy Towns and musician Fiddlin’ Jay (Jason Edmunds).

Making his 4th Line debut is Isaac Harrop, in the role of Sean Sullivan. Crough, Murphy, Shaughnessy, Towns, Wilson, and Kennedy are all descendants of Peter Robinson emigrants.

The young up-and-coming cast includes: Poppy Alderson, Indigo Chesser, Jasper Chesser, Hazel Evans, Fraser Root-Maher, Keeva McGahon, Bronwyn Miller, Darragh O’Connell, Padrick Wilson, and Isaac Harrop.

Community actors include: Linda Gendron, Ian McGarrett, Phil Stott, Joanne Rowland, Jessica Rowland, Ethan Barclay-Ennew and Elaine Day.

The production will feature a cast of 30 professional and volunteer actors and musicians.

The creative team includes Director and Dramaturge Kim Blackwell, Costume Designer Bonnie Garland, Set Designer Michelle Chesser, Musical Director and Composer Justin Hiscox, Choreographer Monica Dottor, Intimacy Director Greg Carruthers, Sound Designer Steáfán Hannigan, Fight Director Edward Belanger and Assistant Director Mandy Roveda. The stage management team includes Liam Cox, Adrianna Malloy, Kaleigh Castell and Fraser Root-Maher.

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Wild Irish Geese

Written by Megan Murphy

Directed by Kim Blackwell

August 4 - August 29

Previews: August 4, 5

Opening Night: Thursday, August 6

Tuesday to Saturday at 6 pm

With an added Monday performance on August 24th

The production of Wild Irish Geese is sponsored by The Pyle Group Wealth Advisory – CIBC Private Wealth Wood Gundy. The production is proudly supported by The Hickey Family Bursary.

For more information or to purchase tickets, gift certificates, charcuterie snack boxes or to make a donation, call the box office at 705-932-4445, or toll-free at 1-800-814-0055 or visit www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca, email boxoffice@4thlinetheatre.on.ca or visit our Box Office & Administrative Centre: 9 Tupper Street, Millbrook, ON (Until May 1, 2025 - Open 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Mondays through Thursdays; As of May 5, 2025 – Open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Mondays through Fridays).