Life can be bleak sometimes, but with purpose and the right traveling companions, it can also be truly magical. This is the core message of Bremen Town, by award-winning playwright Gregory Prest, which played at Tarragon Theatre.
The music of Tatjana Cornij and the playful set and costume design of Nancy Perrin make the road to Bremen Town dreamy and versatile. It’s a cleverly carved-out space for a slightly less horrifying, considerably more whimsical Brothers Grimm-style bedtime story.
Its embrace of aging felt fresh and reassuring, featuring four denizens of Canadian theatre: Nancy Palk, Oliver Dennis, William Webster, and Sheila McCarthy. Each character is a charming misfit dealing with their changing stations in life in their own ways.
The supporting cast of Farhang Ghajar, Veronica Hortigüela, and Dan Morriseau switched easily between multiple characters, from villagers to festivalgoers, adding to the dreamlike vibe.
Bremen Town is one of those rare shows that stayed with me days after seeing it, a beautiful reminder to be grateful for a sense of purpose in life and for all the delightful weirdos walking each other home.
This article appeared in the 2025 Dec – 2026 Jan issue.
