Emerging Canadian playwright Paul Kirby got in touch with me via OUR THEATRE VOICE’s Facebook page to talk about a few things theatre-related.

He lives in Eastern Ontario, Bancroft, Hastings County.

While he has not had any formalized training as a playwright, that hasn’t stopped Paul from pursuing his love of the theatre:

“I simply write, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. I have researched, written, and published many community histories and national biographies.”

One of Kirby’s show titles caught my attention: Two for the Show. Conceived and written by Kirby, the show is a new Canadian musical featuring the band TROOPER’s music.  Now he’s got my curiosity, as I followed TROOPER many years ago during my undergraduate studies at Western.  

Another reason why the title caught my attention – there’s another original Canadian musical opening in summer 2026 in Prince Edward County:  ‘In the Key of Blue’ with book by Mike Trites and music by Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor of BLUE RODEO. Some exciting times in Eastern Ontario with two musicals out there showcasing two of Canada’s finest bands. 

Other show titles Kirby lists: ‘Mariposa’ (based on Stephen Leacock’s Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town) and Prime Ministers Got Talent, a fun satirical musical about our country’s prime ministers from Confederation to the current Mark Carney.

Have some of Kirby’s shows been produced around the province?

For him, that’s the issue.

Currently, Paul has three musicals circulating the country. Those titles are listed above. Half of his working day is spent marketing his work to community theatres nationwide.  The other half of the working day is writing.

Kirby also calls the theatre industry for what it is, regarding any possible interested responses to produce his plays:

“I don’t get ‘rejections’ as the majority of my submissions are ignored and receive no response. I do receive a thank you for sending my play, with the promise it will be given to the play reading/selection committee.”

Kirby’s response indicates how frustrated he feels regarding this hardened reality.

Still, he keeps plugging away.

Kirby says he finds the current state of the Canadian theatre/performing arts industry abysmal.  

Other than Norm Foster’s work, Kirby believes the Canadian theatre industry is dying. Theatres that can place Broadway-type shows on their stages will be fine:

 “I look at a lot—a lot—of community theatre show lists and all follow the same formula: Broadway musical (Frozen, Young Frankenstein, Shrek, Joseph, etc); Norm Foster, Ken Ludwig, Norm Foster, and occasionally Dave Carley); mystery (Agatha Christie); and an American or English drama.”

As Paul says he can’t get any of his plays produced in Canada, he will be working to get any future work in the British regional theatre. His current musical project has a Scottish theme, and he is developing contacts in Scotland. Kirby also has an Eastern Ontario Irish play which he is trying to develop and mount in County Limerick, Ireland. He also has a two-person murder mystery/thriller, and is aiming his sights on England for this one.

Come on, local theatres, regional and community-based. Please take a look at his website, www.paukirby.ca, and check out the titles he has listed there for future consideration for play slates.