4th Line Theatre announces their Salon Reading Series during the theatre’s off-season, which will include plays by two of Canada’s most renowned playwrights. 4th Line Theatre takes this opportunity to present exciting Canadian stories that deserve to be told. This series will feature The Undeniable Accusations of Red Cadmium Light by Drew Hayden Taylor, Shelley's Shadow by Brad Fraser and The Death Dinner Party by Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell.

Each of the three readings will be presented in a different and intimate local home, with as few as 20 audience members. Alongside the staged reading, food and drink will also be provided.

Keep your calendar clear for October 15th, 2026 - The Undeniable Accusations of Red Cadmium Light; November 11th, 2026, - Shelley's Shadow; and January 14th, 2027 - The Death Dinner Party. These salon readings will be an opportunity for exciting dialogue between audiences and artists.

“We’re thrilled to launch our Fall Salon Reading Series as a way to bring people together around great Canadian plays in a warm, intimate setting,” says Blackwell. “There’s something magical about gathering in a beautiful local home, sharing food and a glass of something, and then experiencing a play read by extraordinary professional actors just a few feet away. With works by Brad Fraser, Drew Hayden Taylor and myself, these evenings are also about conversation — giving audiences the rare opportunity to talk about the play, the ideas it raises and the stories we tell as Canadians.”

Drew Hayden Taylor’s The Undeniable Accusations of Red Cadmium Light asks urgent questions about authenticity, identity and the cost of truth. In a world of fakes, who can you trust? ‘Nazhi’ runs an art gallery on the Otter Lake First Nation, specializing in the work of Norval Morrisseau and other renowned Indigenous artists. When a reporter begins to dig into the world of counterfeit Indigenous art, a discovery is made that risks jeopardizing careers and relationships, forever.

Brad Fraser’s Shelley’s Shadow follows David, a struggling writer in his late 50s, who becomes unexpectedly involved in the life of his elderly upstairs neighbour, Shelley, whose memory and independence are increasingly affected by dementia. Alongside Shelley is Shadow, her much-loved and rather unusual dog. Funny, tender, and ultimately heartbreaking, the play explores aging, dementia, caregiving, loneliness, chosen family, and the unexpected ways people become connected.

Kim Blackwell’s The Death Dinner Party is a darkly funny and deeply human exploration of love, family and choice. As a woman prepares for a medically assisted death, she gathers those closest to her for one final dinner, forcing them to confront grief, unfinished business and what it truly means to say goodbye.

Tickets are $60 per reading and include not only access to a wonderful night of theatre, but also food and drink. Seating is VERY limited.

Want to see all three readings? 4th Line is offering a package deal for only $150, which saves you $30 overall or $10 per ticket.

To purchase tickets, call 4th Line Theatre’s Box Office at 705-932-4445 or via the website at www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca.

DETAILS:

• The Undeniable Accusations of Red Cadmium Light by Drew Hayden Taylor - Thursday, October 15th, 2026 at 7pm.

 • Shelley's Shadow by Brad Fraser - Wednesday, November 11th, 2026 at 7pm.

 • The Death Dinner Party by Kim Blackwell - Thursday, January 14th, 2026 at 7pm.

The locations of each reading will be supplied a few days before the events.