The Barrie-based Talk Is Free Theatre is preparing to host the world premiere of a new play this June, drawing significant early attention from local audiences. The production, titled Something Old, is written by Barrie playwright Keara Voo and will run from June 18 to June 27, 2026, though tickets for the 8:00 p.m. performances on June 19 and 20 have sold out.
The play explores themes of family tradition and cultural identity through the story of Lily Chan, a bride-to-be who wants a traditional Chinese wedding to celebrate her heritage. This creates a conflict with her mother, Stephanie, who hopes for a Western-style ceremony. The production is directed by Richard Lam, a regular contributor to the company who has both acted in and directed past works.
In a unique approach to staging, the performances will take place at Morrison CPA, an accounting firm located at 1895 Commerce Park Drive in Innisfil. This use of a non-traditional venue is a signature style for the theatre company, which was founded in 2003 by Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak and has produced over 150 works to date.
Interest in the show is already high. The play was recently introduced to local audiences when an excerpt was presented during the company’s Multicultural Theatre Weekend on March 6, 2026. Previous development for the work included a reading at The Theatre Centre in Toronto.
Tickets for the upcoming run are priced at $44.07 for general admission, with student and artist tickets available for $22.04 with identification. A shuttle bus service will also be available for patrons travelling from the Sheraton Hotel in Toronto.
