Megan Murphy
After a sold-out run last summer, Megan Murphy’s Wild Irish Geese is back by popular demand, returning to the 4th Line Theatre stage as their August production. Written by Peterborough playwright and actor Megan Murphy, Wild Irish Geese relates the story of 2,024 Peter Robinson emigrants in 1825 — their hopes and dreams, and their anguish over leaving behind in Ireland the only life they knew for the uncertainty and challenge of building a new life in a strange land.
Set in the summer of 1825,Wild Irish Geese explores the migration of the more than two-thousand Irish emigrants who sought to escape tyranny and hopelessness in Ireland, for the promise of something better in far-off Canada. Eventually most of the impoverished Irish immigrants settled in Scotts Plains, later renamed Peterborough where they began their lives anew. These new Canadians planted deep roots in the Peter-borough area and have thousands of descendants both locally and across the globe, many of whom came to performances last year to hear how their story was being told. Given that the production featured six descendants of the original Robinson settlers, including the playwright, the risk of getting the wrong tone was minimal.
Megan Murphy, herself is one of those Peter Robinson descendant. She explains, “I come from a long line of story-tellers – proud of our Irish roots and dedicated to preserving the spirit of our ancestors. It has been a deep honour to explore these concepts through the stories of the people who risked so much to begin again in this new world.” She leads the cast again this year in the role of Seanchai, a Gaelic term for a traditional storyteller.
At the heart of Wild Irish Geese is a monumental journey—of hope, displacement, survival and resilience,” explains Blackwell, “Telling settler stories today requires both humility and responsibility, and Wild Irish Geese does not shy away from this tension.”
The play tells the story of the courage, displacement, and enduring spirit of those who journeyed across the Atlantic to survive. Through hardship and hope, these new Canadians forged a fragile beginning in a complex colonial landscape. Planting deep roots in the Peterborough area, these Irish emigrants now have tens of thousands of descendants both locally and across the globe.
This family-friendly play features lively Irish music and storytelling is sure to be an instant hit. It runs from August 4th until August 29th. Book your tickets by visiting the website www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca or by calling the Box Office at 705-932-4445.