The Tarragon Theatre has stayed afloat through the third wave of this pandemic by bringing theatre lovers a full season of audio dramas. This art form enjoyed its golden age in the 40s and had been enjoying a rebirth which has boomed with the pandemic. Theatres have been discovering its usefulness as a cheaper and more reliable way to deliver shows than filmed productions or Zoom plays. Actors record their parts remotely, which are combined by the producers who then add in the sound design.

There’s still time to catch Scorched by Wajdi Mouawad and Come Home-The Legend of Daddy Hall by Audrey Dwyer. 

Scorched is the story of twins who discover their estranged mother’s painful past after her death. The 2007 production won two Dora Awards and the Globe and Mail called it, “The best piece of theatre this country has produced this millennium.” 

Come Home-The Legend of Daddy Hall is a new play by Audrey Dwyer, Artistic Director at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Daddy Hall was the Town Crier of Owen Sound in the 19th century. One of the first African-American citizens of Owen Sound, his job was to ring his bell and announce the news and advertisements of the day. He was well liked throughout the town and lived to be over 100, according to historian Paul White. The play will feature original music.

Scorched runs from May 13-26, and The Legend of Daddy Hall from May 30 to June 13. Tickets are $12.50 and are available at tickets.tarragontheatre.com. Within 24 hours, an email is sent with access information for the play, which is available for two weeks from the date of purchase, day or night.  The full Tarragon Acoustic subscription of 18 plays is also available for purchase for $152.  

—Nicole Stoffman/Gleaner News