The Bealtaine Theatre Festival is an all-Irish Theatre Festival in its first year here in Toronto. With plenty of entertainment and cultural offerings, there’s sure to be something for everyone! I got to ask Beatriz Lôbo Campos some questions about the Festival and what audiences can expect from its inaugural run!

  1. Could you please introduce yourself to my readers and share a bit about your role with the Bealtaine Theatre Festival?

I’m Beatriz Lôbo Campos, the Programming Manager at the Canada Ireland Foundation — an arts organization dedicated to exploring and sharing Irish arts and heritage in ways that deepen Canadians’ connection to Irish culture. Alongside our Executive Director, William Peat, I help curate our annual programming, including the Bealtaine Irish Theatre Festival.

  1. What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in getting the Festival off the ground?

One of the biggest challenges has been launching as the new kid on the block. Toronto has a vibrant, well-established theatre scene, and while we’re excited to add to it, we also know we need to earn the trust of local audiences. We’re asking Torontonians to take a chance on something new this year—and we’ve worked hard to make sure that anyone who joins us will find something truly special.

  • What is the ethos or spirit of the Bealtaine Festival?

Bealtaine is rooted in the celebration of spring—a time of renewal, storytelling, and coming together after a long, harsh winter (and yes, we’re hoping to chase this one away!). That spirit guides our inaugural lineup: a collection of comedies, cheeky dramas, and family-friendly plays that explore community, connection, and the beautifully human question of why we do what we do. It’s about reflection, joy, and finding light together.

  1. What can audiences look forward to from this inaugural Festival?

The very best of contemporary Irish theatre! And we’re not exaggerating—this year’s lineup features some of the most exciting new voices and top-tier production companies from Ireland. Each show brings something fresh, bold, and unlike anything Toronto has seen before.

  1. Which piece are you most excited to experience at the Festival?

I have a soft spot for The King of All Birds and Story of a Day. They’re very different—one is a cheeky comedy exploring our obsession with flight, the other a beautifully crafted piece for young audiences that captures a single day in a child’s life—but both manage to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. They share a sense of magical realism that feels especially vital right now—a reminder that wonder still lives in the everyday.

I want to thank Beatriz for taking the time to answer my questions. For more information about the Bealtaine Theatre Festival, visit: https://www.canadairelandfoundation.com/explore/bealtaine-theatre-festival/

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