This fall, Tarragon Theatre opens its 2025/26 season with a bold new Canadian work: Bremen Town, written and directed by Gregory Prest. The world premiere runs in Tarragon’s Mainspace from September 30 to October 26, 2025, with opening night set for October 8.
A cheeky, heartfelt folk tragicomedy, Bremen Town follows Frau Esel (played by the incomparable Nancy Palk), a housekeeper abruptly dismissed after forty-five years of loyal service. Furious and unmoored, she sets off on a winding, unpredictable journey to reunite with her estranged son. Along the way, she encounters unforgettable characters, live music, and a story that asks audiences to reflect on aging, resilience, and the courage to begin again.
Loosely inspired by the Brothers Grimm, Prest’s Bremen Town blends folklore, sharp humour, and live music into a magical, deeply theatrical experience. It’s a full-scale realization of the award-winning 2023 Next Stage Festival production that left audiences buzzing.
Artistic Director Mike Payette calls it “sharp, magical, funny and deeply theatrical — a hilarious and moving celebration of courage, heroism, and the unique journey of life.”
An All-Star Ensemble
This premiere brings together some of Canada’s most celebrated performers, including:
- Nancy Palk (Withrow Park, Mad Madge) as Frau Esel
- Sheila McCarthy (Women Talking, Little Mosque on the Prairie) in her Tarragon debut
- Oliver Dennis, William Webster, Tatjana Cornij, Veronica Hortiguela, Farhang Ghajar, and Dan Mousseau
With set and costumes by Nancy Perrin, lighting by Logan Cracknell, and magic consultation by Peter Fernandes, Bremen Town promises to be as visually rich as it is emotionally stirring.
Tickets & Info
🎭 Bremen Town
📅 September 30 – October 26, 2025 (Opening October 8)
📍 Tarragon Theatre, Mainspace
🎟️ Tickets: $22 – $72 | Rush: $35 (3 hours before showtime)
📲 Book online: purchase.tarragontheatre.com | ☎️ 416-531-1827
Discounts available for students, groups, and arts workers. Flexible subscription packages also on sale now.
Don’t miss the chance to see the world premiere of Gregory Prest’s Bremen Town — a tragicomic tale of loss, reinvention, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Main photo featuring Nancy Palk by Wade Muir
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