The Rules of Playing Risk

Live stage premiere | Dramatic comedy

Written by Kristen Da Silva
Directed by Sheila McCarthy

July 30 – August 16 | OPENS August 1

Garfield Lyons is quite possibly the grouchiest man in Canada. And now he’s stuck in his remote rural cottage recovering from a heart attack under the eye of a grimly observant nurse. Just when he’s positive things can’t get any worse, a letter arrives announcing the imminent arrival of his estranged 14-year-old grandson.

Part intergenerational comedy, part searing exploration of the isolation dividing fathers from sons, this smart, funny and deeply insightful story proves once and for all that love is worth the risk.

“A heartfelt, hilarious, smart, thoughtful play … about absent fathers and sons and the effect that has on those left behind.” – The Slotkin Letter

The Rules of Playing Risk is supported by these wonderful people:
Lead Sponsors: Dr. Patrick Smith and Peter Coleridge
Co-Sponsor: Lucille Roch

Meet our Playwright and Director

Cast and Designers to be announced on March 1st

  • Playwright

    Kristen, a playwright, actor and director based in Ontario, began her writing career in 2014 and has since become one of Canada's most produced playwrights. She is best known for her comedic plays, including Where You Are, which has been translated into four languages and produced across Canada, in the United States, and Europe; Hurry Hard; Beyond the Sea; The Rules of Playing Risk; and Sugar Road.
    She is a two-time recipient of the Playwrights Guild New Comedy award, first in 2016 for Gibson & Sons and again in 2019 for Hurry Hard.
    Her work is published by Scirocco Drama.

  • Director

    Sheila began her career in Anne at the Charlottetown Festival and has gone on to work around the world in theatre, tv and film. Directing credits include Brighten Beach Memoir, Steel Magnolias and Myth of The Ostrich [HFN] to name just a few. She won 2 Best Actress awards for I’ve Heard The Mermaids Singing and Lotus Eaters, 2 Gemini awards for Emily Of New Moon and Sesame Street, 2 Dora awards in Toronto and Actra film award for Cardinals.  Her film Women Talking was nominated for Best Film at the Oscars. She is shooting a netflix series now Copenhagen and The Miniature Wife. 

Buy Tickets NOW

“The Rules of Playing Risk premiered on film on Theatre Orangeville's streaming service StageTOScreen as a digitally recorded production in 2021. Its live stage premiere was produced by Here For Now Theatre Company in 2025.

The Rules of Playing Risk is produced by permission of the Playwright and Marquis Literary (Colin Rivers) www.MQlit.ca”