Theatre festival coming to Chatham
It was in the 1980s that Mike Scott first experienced live theatre. The production was Winnie the Pooh and it took place at Chatham’s Kiwanis Theatre.
“It was my first time and we were on a class trip,” said the former Indian Creek Public School student in a recent interview, noting he distinctly remembers the excitement of that live performance.
Fast forward a few decades and now the general manager of Theatre Gargantua is bringing Sidestream: A Festival of New Works 2025, back to his hometown. The four-day live theatre series showcases plays highlighting timely and socially relevant themes.
Set to take place at the Kiwanis Theatre Aug. 6-9, Scott said the endeavour features “bold and innovative” performances – some of which are still works-in-progress.
“There’s a huge range of different pieces,” Scott said when discussing the project.
“Sidestream is designed to promote new Canadian theatre works,” he added, noting Chatham will become a launchpad for contemporary Canadian theatre with audiences at the Kiwanis able to mould the creative process by critiquing the productions they see.
“Audience feedback will directly shape the future of these works,” Scott explained. “Whether you join us for a single unforgettable night or dive into the full festival experience, you’ll be immersed in the thrilling variety and bold vision of our artists. We can’t wait to share these electrifying new works to the public.”
A Chatham Collegiate Institute graduate, Scott has spent most of his career in software development. But his passion for theatre has always simmered, leading him to delve headlong into his passion.
According to Scott, the Toronto-based theatre company put on the first Sidestream festival, called Cycles, in Welland in 2023. He said the company decided to branch out from the GTA to bring theatre to other parts of Ontario.
He believes Chatham is a good choice.
“This year’s festival, our first time in Chatham, includes eight new works ranging from the first public reading of Mirrors to a special festival presentation of The Queen In Me,” Scott explained, which has played to great acclaim at Canada’s National Arts Centre, the Canadian Opera Company, and the Belfast International Arts Festival, and will tour to British Columbia this fall.
Each evening of the festival presents two works and theatre-goers are encouraged come for an individual night or to purchase a pass for the entire festival. Tickets are available through CKTickets.com. Individual tickets are $33 each night with discounts for students and seniors. A full festival pass is $80 for all four nights.
The lineup includes Mirrors on Aug. 6, a play that spans a century and three continents, exploring how language, war, and identity shape empathy and survival. It’s paired with the moving, music-infused Memories: Voices from the Trojan Horse, regarding the bonds formed by Chilean musicians fleeing dictator Pinochet, and Greek musicians in exile.
The night of Aug. 7 showcases the heartwarming Chula at 7 p.m., a play about a classical singer caught between four cultures.
(Un)Fruitful at 8:15 p.m. is the second show, a raw comedy about trying to get pregnant.
The play Baggage tells the story of two lesbians breaking up, and it kicks off Aug. 8, followed by a journey into Canada’s musical past with Both Sides Now at 8:15 p.m., featuring anecdotes from musicians ranging from Anne Murray to Neil Young.
Lucky Bastards leads the bill on Aug. 9, featuring a cabaret-style performance. It is a toast to life’s messiness and magic. The Queen In Me will finish the festival at 8:15 p.m. It is an operatic rebellion challenging outdated norms of race, gender and sexuality.
A 15-minute intermission takes place between each performance.
Scott said Gargantua Theatre has received a warm welcome in Chatham-Kent.
“We have been thrilled with the reception we have received in Chatham forming several new partnerships with local groups and businesses,” he added.
Sponsors are also being sought and can contact Chatham producer Laura Van Veen for more information at festival@theatregargantua.ca.
As part of the company’s goal to give back to the community, people coming to the festival are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to support the Bill’s Place Community Cupboard.
Scott said the members of the company will also be meeting for informal coffee at the Turns and Tails shop during the day in order to “carry on the conversations” sparked on stage, as well as on the festival patio at The Garden after each show.
At 10 p.m. after each performance, live music will be featured on the patio at The Garden at 193 King St. W. where the theatre-goers and performers can mingle.
By Pam Wright, The Chatham Voice
