by Vern Thiessen
Directed by Iain Moggach

July 9 – 27, 2025

July 9 – 7 pm (Preview)
July 10-11, 16, 18-19, 23-25 – 7 pm
July 12, 17, 20, 26 – 2 pm
July 13, 27 – 4 pm

Étaples, France, 1918. Nurses Christy, Maggie, and Bab have crossed oceans to care for wounded Canadian soldiers in the Great War. Despite the terrible injuries they must deal with, they manage to stay hopeful as the dangers of the front draw closer to their hospital.
As each woman becomes accustomed to her duties and patients, they reveal more personal details to one another and through letters to loved ones. Through it all, the three women find friendship, independence, power, and influence in a place where men, once again, are trying to destroy the world.

Running time is approximately 90 minutes, with no intermission

*     *     *     *

Bluebirds, the second show of TOTR’s upcoming season, is written by Vern Thiessen. It is something of a spiritual sequel to Thiessen’s much-lauded play, Vimy, which is deeply rooted in TOTR’s own heritage, having the distinction of being the first play the company produced, way back in 2013.

While Thiessen has found a great deal of success at home, the appeal of his plays is not limited to the confines of Canada’s borders. His plays have been produced in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, and they have been translated into five languages. They have received numerous awards, including the Dora Mavor Moore Award, the University of Alberta Alumni Award of Excellence, and the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama, which is the highest honour Canada can bestow on a playwright.

At the helm of this powerful production is seasoned director Iain Moggach. Born and raised in Ottawa, Moggach has directed everything from musicals to Shakespeare to modern dramas in many cities across Ontario, including Port Perry. He is best known for his work as the Artistic Director of Theatre by the Bay in Barrie, Ontario, from 2018 to 2024. During his tenure there, he directed three full-scale productions — The Ghost Watchers (2021), A Scandal for All Seasons (2023), and Icemen (2023).

The choice of Bluebirds for the 2025 summer season is perfectly timed with the unexpected and unprecedented groundswell of national pride our country has been experiencing of late and continues to remind us of our strength as individuals and as a nation.

Tickets $15 – $39. Limited PWYC tickets available for Wednesday performances.