Beware the sincere stranger.

Extremism doesn’t kick the door down on arrival. It waits for an invite, then makes itself at home.

It’s Christmas Eve, and a charming, unexpected guest arrives at the home of a polite bourgeois family. While holiday tensions simmer, the well-mannered stranger seduces his liberal hosts with a vision of a simpler world order.

Winter Solstice is a comedy of manners with a bite. Family, betrayal and the inescapable presence of the past reverberate through this dark, razor-sharp satire. Playwright Roland Schimmelpfennig is Germany's most performed playwright and one of Europe's most original voices, with productions worldwide in over 40 countries. Starring Diego Matamoros and Nancy Palk, directed by Alan Dilworth.

“★★★★
Devastatingly funny”
— What's on Stage
“★★★★
A radical transfixing play”
— The Guardian
“A Timely Satire”
— Variety

*review quotes from previous productions

Lead Season Sponsor

Lead Production Support

Lead Season Support

Diane Blake & Stephen Smith

Additional Production Support

Kevin & Roger Garland

Sheena Macdonald & Phil Schmitt

Sylvia Soyka

Winter Solstice

by Roland Schimmelpfennig
Translated by David Tushingham

A Necessary Angel Theatre Company production
in association with Canadian Stage and BirdLand Theatre

English-Language Canadian Premiere
January 14 - February 2, 2025

Berkeley Street Theatre
26 Berkeley Street
Toronto, ON
M5A 2W3

CAST
Frank Cox-O’Connell
Kira Guloien
Cyrus Lane
Diego Matamoros
Nancy Palk

CREATIVE TEAM
Alan Dilworth | Director
Lorenzo Savoini | Set & Lighting Designer
Ming Wong | Costume Designer
Debashis Sinha | Sound Designer & Composer
Ellie Koffman | Associate Costume Designer
Rick Banville | Production Manager & Technical Director
Jalen Innis | Associate Production Manager
Sarah Miller | Stage Manager
Alysse Szatkowski | Assistant Stage Manager