Stephen Guy-McGrath. Photo Credit: Heather Ogg

Spinning Yarns: Tales and Tunes from a homesick Newfoundlander

By Stephen Guy-McGrath

Newfoundland in the early ‘80s: a world of raucous adventures, death-defying escapades, and dubious childcare! This hilarious evening of story and song is a fictionalized biography written and performed by Stephen Guy-McGrath.

Hear the trials and tribulations of growing up in a family that pulls no punches and takes no guff; seen through the eyes of a boy with an overactive imagination and a desperate desire to “fit in”. Through it all shines a fierce love of family and a boundless longing for home.

From a supposed “near-death birth” to a “final family Christmas”, Spinning Yarns weaves stories with songs and tunes that will make you “laugh ‘til you cry and cry ‘til you laugh”: a gun-toting mother, nefarious plotting brothers, human snowball piñatas, and other items that should definitely not go in the dryer!!!

“

“It’s very funny. He creates a whole community of Newfoundland life, and gives us a picture so vivid you can almost smell it.”

CBC Radio Ottawa
“

“Stephen Guy-McGrath is a dynamic performer…he entertains the audience with boundless energy as he tells stories and fiddles during his one-man show.”

The Kingston Whig Standard
“

“Spinning Yarns, a winner. With hyperactive sense of humour Guy-McGrath brought down the house with comic tales of growing up in Newfoundland.”

The Record Centinel And Times
“

“PLEASE STOP TALKING!!!”

Stephen’s Mother

Production Details

1 Male, solo show

90 minutes (plus intermission)

By Stephen Guy-McGrath

April 28, 2011

PAST EVENT: Spinning Yarns – The Charlottetown Festival (PEI) July 15 – September 28, 2019

Production History

Spinning Yarns was originally produced by Strange/Momentum Theatre Projects.

Royal Oak Pub, Ottawa –  September 1997

Free Times Cafe, Toronto – October 1997

The Baby Grand Theatre, Kingston – August 1998

Tottenham Playhouse – July 1999

Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa – November 1998

Theatre On The Grand, Fergus – September 2000

Lucknow Comunitty Hall – August 2001

Southhampton United Church – August 2001

Brockville Arts Centre – September 2001

Cornwall Civic Centre – September 2001

Georgian Theatre Festivial, Meaford – July 2002

Theatre Orangeville – September 2003

Theatre Collingwood – November 2005

Running at The Confederation Centre For the Arts – The Mack as part of The Charlottetown Festival (PEI), July 15-September 28, 2019. Director, Adam Brazier; Scenic Designer, Ken MacDonald; Lighting Designer, Jason Hand; Production Stage Manager, Matt MacInnis.

Stephen Guy-McGrath. Photo: Heather Ogg

Stephen Guy-McGrath. Photo: Heather Ogg

License this play? Contact