Guild Festival Theatre 2024 Season

After another year of packed audiences and glowing reviews, Guild Festival Theatre (GFT) returns this summer with their 13th season of performances in the park – from Wednesday, July 10 to Sunday, August 25, 2024.

“As we head into our 2024 season, we’re excited to continue reimaging classics for a modern audience! Whether you’re looking for family entertainment, playful comedy or something a little darker, you’ll want to join us in Guild Park this summer.”

– Helen Juvonen and Tyler J. Seguin, Artistic Directors

From a hilariously ill-fated cycling trip through Germany, to the Toronto premiere of a true story of survival in the Canadian wilderness in 1500s, GFT’s 2024 season is all about adventure. Plus, their popular Family Fest returns for a third year, and they’ll also have some exciting surprises in store! Guild Festival Theatre’s 2024 season is another reason to celebrate Scarborough.

(Photo credits: Guild Festival Theatre.)

Family Fest (July 10 – 14)

The third annual Family Fest offers free performances and activities for all ages, featuring some familiar faces and new acts! Check out the highlights:

(Photo credits: Guild Festival Theatre. Nagata Shachu by Simon Yeung.)

Wednesday, July 10 @ 6:30 PM ET: Family Fest kicks off with audience favourite Nagata Shachu. Join this taiko and music group as they lead you in a thirty-minute drum and movement workshop using authentic Japanese hand-drums. The workshop will be followed by a one-hour thunderous and heart-pounding performance.
Thursday, July 11 – Saturday, July 13 @ 6:00 PM ET: Roseneath Theatre presents their award-winning play for young audiences, The Money Tree. When Shasta’s father loses his job, she is devastated to learn that previously laid plans for her upcoming birthday party must be significantly downsized. As the story progresses, Shasta and Simon meet a mysterious Traveler who gives them a seed that will make a tree grow leaves of money. Through a truly magical journey, the two ultimately learn that being a loyal friend is worth more than a big party or having all the latest toys. Recommended for audiences age 6-12. Tickets are free, but advanced booking is strongly recommended.
Saturday, July 13 – Sunday, July 14: A weekend lineup featuring music, poetry, theatre, performances & play time! See the schedule here.

Photo of a woman wearing a colourful patterned head scarf and matching skirt with a black t-shirt and tights, and bells attached to her right ankle, performs on an outdoor Greek theatre stage, with African drums and percussion instruments behind her.

(Photo credits: Guild Festival Theatre. Spirit of Africa.)

Three Men on a Bike (July 18 – August 4)

The sequel to last year’s hit Three Men in a Boat! Join Jay, George and Harris as they spend a disastrous holiday bicycling through Germany. Award-winning writer and director team Mark Brownell and Sue Miner return to Guild Festival Theatre, along with Azeem Nathoo, reprising the role of Jay. Rounding out the cast are Jack Copeland and Suchiththa Wickremesooriya, with music arrangements by J. Rigzin Tute. Get details here.

Photo of three men in colourful period costume, strike a goofy pose on the stage of an outdoor Greek theatre. The man in the centre sits atop a brown tricycle, the one on the left holds a stuffed animal dog under his arm and the one on the right balances on his right leg.

(Photo credits: Guild Festival Theatre. Left to right: Jack Copeland, Suchiththa Wickremesooriya & Azeem Nathoo.)

Isle of Demons (August 8 – 25)

Making its Toronto premiere at Guild Festival Theatre, this riveting story by Governor General Award-winning playwright Robert Chafe, tells the incredible, yet true, tale of Marguerite de la Roque who was abandoned on a remote island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 1542. Part tragedy, part thriller, this gripping production is directed by J. Tyler Seguin, and features Keira Publicover, Josh Johnston and Helen Juvonen. Get details here.

Illustrated poster for Isle of Demons by Robert Chafe. A woman stands at the edge of a cliff overlooking a body of water to the right, with a tree-covered island in the background.

(Photo credits: Guild Festival Theatre.)

About Guild Festival Theatre

For more than a decade, Guild Festival Theatre (GFT) has enchanted patrons at beautiful open-air productions at the stunning Greek Theatre in Scarborough’s iconic Guild Park & Gardens. Scarborough’s only professional theatre, GFT is proud to champion local arts and culture and has been honoured with numerous awards and commendations, including Best Live Theatre (Scarborough Mirror), the Urban Hero Award (Metroland Media), the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award and two Dora Mavor Moore Awards.

Event details

Hosted by: Guild Festival Theatre

Type of event: outdoor theatre performances

Season dates: Wednesday, July 10 – Sunday, August 25, 2024 (please refer to each event/production for details):

Wednesday, July 10 – Sunday, July 14: Family Fest. Check the schedule for specific event dates.
Thursday, July 18 – Sunday, August 4: Three Men on a Bike
Thursday, August 8 – Sunday, August 25: Isle of Demons

Start times:

Family Fest: Please check the schedule for specific performance times.
Three Men on a Bike and Isle of Demons: Tuesdays – Saturdays at 7:30 PM ET and Sundays at 5:30 PM ET

Duration:

Family Fest: Various – please see the schedule above.
Three Men on a Bike and Isle of Demons are each approximately 90 minutes, with no intermission.

Cost:

Family Fest events are free and most don’t require registration. However, advance booking for The Money Tree (July 11 – 13) is strongly recommended.
Single preview tickets for the plays: C$15.00 (Three Men on a Bike July 18 & Isle of Demons August 8)
Single tickets for the plays after previews: C$20.00 Youth, $25.00 Students/Seniors/Arts workers & $30.00 General admission
Passes for the plays (includes Three Men on a Bike and Isle of Demons): Pick 1 C$30.00 & Pick 2 $50.00 (with the purchase of a pass, you will be sent a voucher code which can be used to select your desired performance dates)

Location: The Greek Theatre, Guild Park & Gardens, 201 Guildwood Parkway, Scarborough, ON

Public transit: From Kennedy subway station, take the 116 or 116A eastbound bus to the ‘Guild Inn’ stop on Guildwood Parkway. Enter the gate into the park.

Booking links:

Contact Details: Guild Festival Theatre, 19 Earswick Drive, Scarborough, ON, M1E 1C7, Canada; 647-250-7438, boxoffice@guildfestivaltheatre.ca, guildfestivaltheatre.ca

Content warning: Please refer to the individual production details for age recommendations.

Accessibility: Guild Park, where GFT performs, is wheelchair accessible, has accessible washrooms and also has hearing assistance.

Refund policy: Please contact the theatre company: boxoffice@guildfestivaltheatre.ca or call 647-250-7438.