Talk Is Free Theatre

Our Mission:

As an artist-driven company, our mandate is to support the emerging artistic community by producing a wide range of ensemble-based, off-centre, inventive and rare programming.

We are thrilled to report that we were recognized twice this year for the 2026 Dora Mavor Moore Awards!Our fingers are c...
06/02/2026

We are thrilled to report that we were recognized twice this year for the 2026 Dora Mavor Moore Awards!

Our fingers are crossed for Nolan Moberly, nominated for Outstanding Performance by and Individual (Independent Theatre Division) for TALES OF AN URBAN INDIAN and for CYCLOPS: A SATYR PLAY (produced by Panic Theatre), nominated for Outstanding New Musical (Musical Theatre Division)!

We can't wait till June 29 to find out!

“Go see it. Seriously, go see it.”–Faye Stockley, LondonTheatre1"A roller-coaster masterclass.”–Michael Holland, SouthLo...
04/27/2026

“Go see it. Seriously, go see it.”
–Faye Stockley, LondonTheatre1

"A roller-coaster masterclass.”
–Michael Holland, SouthLondon

“The entire room hung onto every word, completely absorbed…”
–Natasha U’ren-Ashdown, The Live Review London

“This was the easiest five stars I have given all year.”
–Neill Covacic-Clarke, Pink Prince Theatre

“It is a treat for London to see such a high-calibre production.”
–Red Bus Londinium

“An exceptional production…do not miss it.”
–STAGEBITES

Our international tour of C**k has been rife with wonderful experiences so far, but we cannot express how “chuffed” we are with the reception London has given us, a Canadian company presenting a British modern classic to British audiences.

You only have until May 2 to catch what critics have called "utterly mesmerizing from start to finish".

With only 34 seats per performance and 5 performances left, you better crack on and get your tickets before it's too late.

Go to www.tift.ca!

C**k runs until May 2, 2026 at COLAB, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, SE1 9HB.

Starring Aidan deSalaiz (John), Michael Torontow (M), Tess Benger (W), and Kevin Bundy (F). Directed by Dylan Trowbridge, Production Design by Kathleen Black, Sound Design by Nolan Moberly, and Stage Managed by Katie Hoppa.

The various stops of TIFT's 2026 international tour of C**k were made possible thanks to the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council.

Thank you, The Live Review London!"★★★★★ This was easily one of the best productions I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing....
04/26/2026

Thank you, The Live Review London!

"★★★★★ This was easily one of the best productions I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing. A true five-star performance in every sense."

Photo of the Jakob Ehman and Michael Torontow from the 2025 Toronto production. Photo by Dahlia Katz.

https://thelivereview.co.uk/cock-review-colab-theatre/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRZ1Y5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeczhHqLU6LL0Zm5LUIdBnxeqlFkPXTgVvu-bLhg1VeeHcpOg8LRtYrQZFNRI_aem_5NOPUTfLhIXTY7iQH7Yxzw

MORE THAN A LABEL: A FIVE-STAR TRIUMPH OF IDENTITY AND EMOTION With a title like this, you go in not quite knowing what to expect. I certainly didn’t anticipate C**k to deliver such emotional depth, passion and humour. This was easily one of the best productions I’ve had the pleasure of reviewin...

"★★★★★An exceptional production of a genuinely great play, made all the more remarkable by the suffocating intimacy of i...
04/26/2026

"★★★★★

An exceptional production of a genuinely great play, made all the more remarkable by the suffocating intimacy of its staging. TIFT and Dylan Trowbridge strip Bartlett’s text back to its bare bones and find something thrilling in the process. Tense, funny, and deeply, frustratingly human. Do not miss it."

https://stagebites.substack.com/p/cock?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e223_tv0&fbclid=IwY2xjawRaIIdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeWs6I5p_Ylp0ZiMErAZB63v_TwgPyrFzTHLJrGi7YAkgLcned7Yi7xIpV-Kw_aem_9cHJRYYRQxJzdBkeqVklog

5*: Intimate, Unresolved and Utterly Compelling

And another!"★★★★★Every performance felt considered and alive, and it’s rare to come away from a show wanting to follow ...
04/25/2026

And another!

"★★★★★

Every performance felt considered and alive, and it’s rare to come away from a show wanting to follow each actor’s career, but that was very much the case here. I’ve looked them up and noted their names for future productions.

By stripping everything back – set, space, and even comfort – it reveals the raw complexity at the heart of Bartlett’s writing. A compelling reminder of how powerful theatre can be when it dares to look you straight in the eye.

Go see it. Seriously, go see it."

(Photo of 2025 Toronto production by Dahlia Katz)

Mike Bartlett is one of those rare voices. A writer I admire deeply, whose work I actively seek out. So when I heard that C**k was being staged at COLAB Tower

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”Thank you, Red Bus Londonium for the kind words!
04/25/2026

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

Thank you, Red Bus Londonium for the kind words!

Review: Mike Bartlett’s play “C**k” explores identity and love with raw performances in an intimate setting, provoking thought on desire and connection.

Thank you!! “⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
04/24/2026

Thank you!! “⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

Talk Is Free Theatre is a proud participant of Charitable Gaming!  Funds raised at Delta Bingo and Gaming not only help ...
04/21/2026

Talk Is Free Theatre is a proud participant of Charitable Gaming! Funds raised at Delta Bingo and Gaming not only help us with our regular programming but also enable us to give back to the community through the arts!

Barrie Bingo Sponsors Association Charitable Gaming. Community Good.

Thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada, we have been able to show audiences and arts gro...
04/16/2026

Thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada, we have been able to show audiences and arts groups in multiple countries around the world what Canadian artists have to offer as we build recognition and relationships in exciting new places!

Address

P. O. Box 247
Barrie, ON
L4M4T2

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 3:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 3:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 3:30pm

Telephone

+17057921949

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Talk Is Free Theatre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Talk Is Free Theatre:

Share