Megan Murphy wrote and stars in the 4th Line Theatre’s August
production, Wild Irish Geese.
The second production in the 4th Line Theatre’s summer season is the world premiere of Megan Murphy’s Wild Irish Geese, directed by 4th Line’s Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell.
Murphy’s play is highly anticipated and is part of the 200th commemoration of the arrival of the first of the Peter Robinson Irish settlers in 1825. Descendants of these original Irish settlers are being invited to return to the region in the summer of 2025, to pay homage to their forbears. This production features six descendants of the original Robinson settlers. The 4th Line Theatre is proud to be part of these commemorative events.
Megan Murphy, herself is one of those Peter Robinson descendants. She explains, “I come from a long line of storytellers – 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.”
Other descendants in the production are local Peterborough/Ennismore favourite Paul Crough, Douro’s beloved Nancy Towns, Douro and Curve Lake’s Patti Shaughnessy, M. John Kennedy and Poppy Alderson.
Set in the summer of 1825,Wild Irish Geese explores the migration of two-thousand Irish emigrants who sought to escape tyranny and hopeless-ness in Ireland, for the promise of something better in far-off Canada. Eventually over 2,000impoverished Irish settled in Scotts Plains, later renamed Peterborough and began their lives anew. These new Canadians planted deep roots in the Peterborough area and have thousands of descendants both locally and across the globe.
“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.
Murphy will lead the cast in the role of the Seanchaí, a Gaelic word for a traditional storyteller. Returning to the 4th Line stage in Wild Irish Geese are M. John Kennedy as Peter Robinson, Patti Shaughnessy, who also worked on the play as Indigenous Story Consultant, Matt Gilbert, Mark Hiscox, Sebastian Sage, Mikayla Stoodley, Lindsay Wilson and musician Fiddlin’ Jay (Jason Edmunds). Making their 4thLine debuts in the show: Paul Crough, Stew Granger and Nancy Towns. The cast will feature 29 professional and volunteer actors/musicians.
Community apprentice and volunteer actors and musicians include: Poppy Alderson, Aurora Celsie, Indigo Chesser, Jasper Chesser, Michelle Chesser, Maria Con, Sam Dickey, Hazel Evans, Michael Field, Linda Gendron, Cody Inglis, Ian McGarrett, Bronwyn Miller, Arden Payne, Dar-ragh O’Connell, Phil Stott and Padrick Wilson.
The creative team includes Costume Designer Bonnie Gar-land, Set Designer Michelle Chesser, Musical Director and Composer Justin Hiscox, Choreographer Monica Dottor, Fight Director Edward Belanger, Intimacy Coordinator Greg Carruthers and Sound Designer Steáfán Hannigan, The stage management team includes Emily Brown, Molly Gabriel and Michael Field.
This family-friendly play features lively Irish music and storytelling is sure to be an instant hit. It runs from July 29th until August 30th. Book your tickets by visiting thewebsitewww.4thlinetheatre.on.caor by calling the Box Office at 705-932-4445.