The brilliant and satiric writing of Canada’s much beloved author and essayist Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) is the inspiration of this world premiere. In Sketches of Leacock, Andy Massingham brings together the myriads of eccentric characters Leacock became world-famous for. Often called “Canada’s Mark Twain,” and lauded by Groucho Marx as, “The funniest writer I have ever read”, Leacock wrote of thwarted love, bank managers, angry customers, nosy neighbours, love-struck kids (and NOT kids). They are all here for the fun and Leacock skewers them all with his razor-sharp wit.

Old Soles Collective, a group of young theatre artists from across canada, have been in residence for the past 6 weeks as the 2026 Theatre on the Ridge oRidginators. The oRidginator Lab is the education and creative development cohort for each summer and this year Old Soles Collective have become part of the community on The Ridge as instructors, performers (God Save The Sodomites) and creatives, as this is a play development presentation: Or The Whale.

Have a whale of a time with Starbuck and Ishmael as they follow their Captain on a mythic quest to confront the whale. We hope to see you there for this first look at two new Canadian

productions!

Suitable for ages 12+

RUNNING TIME: APPROX 60 MINUTES, NO INTERMISSION

Content Warning(s): grief, death of a parent, violence, language.

Piggyland is an exciting new drama by Durham region playwright, Graeme Powell. Inspired by true events that took place in Sunderland, Ontario in the early 1960s, Piggyland is a tale of greed, deception and the pursuit of dreams.

Concocted by career conman John Laun, the Piggyland farm raised over a million dollars from investors eager to double, or even triple their investment. Instead, they lost it all and the mysterious John Laun vanished without a trace...and so did all the money.

Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is...