Blyth Festival - 50th Anniversary Season

While every season of the Blyth Festival brings its own unique energy to the town of Blyth, there’s just a feeling in the air that this year’s 50th Anniversary season is going to be bringing something extra to the table. This year, Blyth will be debuting four new Canadian plays, which is both wildly ambitious and perfectly in line with the simple mandate that has guided the Festival through half a century of rural art. And balancing out all those new works is the seminal play that inspired it all.

Back in 1975, director James Roy, playwright Anne Chislett, and publisher Keith Roulston came together and founded the Blyth Festival, having been inspired by Theatre Passe Muraille’s production of The Farm Show in Clinton. Their mandate was simple - to produce and develop local, Canadian plays. As for where they would perform these new works, the choice was obvious - Blyth’s Memorial Hall on Queen St. The hall, which had fallen into a state of disrepair, was originally constructed as a living monument to the men who lost their lives in Europe during the Great War. The project was initiated by the Women’s Institute, and funded through donations from the whole community, with the intent of creating a space for the town’s spirit to flourish.

Over half a century later, when the Blyth Festival was looking for a place to call home, the people of Blyth once again rallied to the cause, working together to restore the hall to its former glory.

The Festival gained a reputation for taking risks, supporting emerging artists, and bringing a phenomenal level of talent to Blyth every summer.

Things have changed a lot at the Blyth Festival over the years, expanding to include a rehearsal hall, an art gallery, and a second, outdoor stage.

One thing that hasn’t changed, is the belief that rural stories deserve to be told.

The Farm Show: Then and Now

Jun 12 - Aug 4

The creation of The Farm Show was a seminal moment in Canadian theatre, and is directly responsible for the creation of The Blyth Festival. The Farm Show is going to be produced on Blyth’s outdoor Harvest Stage - which is a match made in rural theatre heaven!

Saving Graceland

June 19 to August 3

Blyth Festival’s Artistic Director, Gil Garratt is contributing this Elvis-oriented original work to the landmark season. ‘Saving Graceland’ promises to warm hearts and bring the laughs.

It stars Blyth Festival veterans Caroline Gillis, and J.D Nicholsen, with a debut performance by Garratt family scion, Goldie Garratt.

The Golden Anniversaries

July 4 to Aug 4

Mark Crawford’s plays never fail to entertain the audiences in Blyth, and its just too perfect that ‘The Golden Anniversaries’ is debuting at Blyth’s Golden Anniversary season. Director Miles Potter was part of the collective that created The Farm Show and has been involved with the Blyth Festival from the very beginning.

Resort to Murder

Jul 24 - Aug 31

The world premiere of Birgitte Solem’s modern murder mystery will be directed by none other than Blyth Festival favourite Randy Hughson, who is promising to pull out all the stops and keep audiences guessing right to the end of this modern take on the murder mystery.

The Trials of Maggie Pollock

July 31, 2024 - Aug 29, 2024

The world premiere of Beverley Cooper’s ‘Trials of Maggie Pollock’ will bring audiences face to face with a different kind of rural story as she probes a dark chapter of Canadian history.

Onion Skins & Peach Fuzz : The Farmerettes

Aug 14 - Sept 07

The true tale of The Farmerettes is a vibrant, fascinating piece of Canadian history that could have been lost forever, if not for the efforts of local preservationists.

Whether you’re a long time fan of The Blyth Festival or this is the first time you’ve heard about it, this season is the season to come to Blyth.

Here’s to 50 more years!!!