Christmas already?

Book NOW!

This 10 minute compressed version of "A Christmas Carol" includes all your favourite characters, the ghosts and, of course, Scrooge. An array of atmospheric sound effects compliment the story, now a poem of rhyming couplets, making for a delightful holiday tradition in the style of "theatre of the mind".

Being only 10 minutes it can be performed multiple times and makes for a great addition to you holiday neighbourhood party, seasonal market, special event...

Looking for something longer? There is a 30 minute show which includes additional stories and audience participation.

Standing by: jaywalkingguelph@gmail.com 519 820-3269

Make your holiday event stand out. Soon to be a tradition.

Guelph Arts Council Special Announcement

Breaking news.

The Guelph Arts Council, at their 50th Anniversary Celebration on Nov 22 introduced their latest project - The GRETAs (Guelph Recognition of Excellence In The Arts). Not an awards program but rather a celebration and recognition event, acting as a catalyst to continue bringing the arts together. After all that's one of the things the Guelph Arts Council does.

The GRETAs also acts a fundraiser for the Guelph Arts Council so it can continue the vital work of championing the arts - advocacy.

It's a brand new program. Details on how you can become involved appear HERE

The big event will occur February 28, 2027. A Guelph Bicentennial Event AND a legacy project as it will be an annual celebration of the arts.

Lilt of Laughter, Trace of Tears

 Lilt of Laughter, Trace of Tears

A one-man theatrical journey through Irish wit and resilience

Written by: Charlene Herrold

Adapted and performed by: Jay Wilson (JayWalking Theatre)

Running time: Approximately 60 minutes (no intermission)

Format: Solo theatre performance

About the Show

Lilt of Laughter, Trace of Tears is a heartfelt celebration of Irish storytelling — full of humour, humanity, and heart, bringing to life a tapestry of unforgettable characters that evoke laughter one minute and quiet reflection the next.

The piece connects audiences through universal themes of belonging, resilience, and joy, offering an intimate, moving experience.

Artistic Background

With more than 50 years of experience in live theatre, Jay Wilson is a Guelph-based theatre artist performing as JayWalking Theatre.

His recent experience includes producing and directing for the Guelph Museums Backyard Theatre Project, creating and leading JayWalking Guelph — storytelling walking tours of Guelph history, and special projects work at the Gravenhurst Opera House.

He spent eight years with Theatre Collingwood in fundraising, administration, and performance, and is the founder of Pandora’s Sox Puppet Company, including touring seniors’ productions for the international Puppets Up! Festival.

Lilt of Laughter, Trace of Tears has been performed with Theatre Collingwood, and in Guelph, Uxbridge, and Edgar, Ontario. A new set is being prepared for a 2026 performance at Guelph’s River Run Centre, with plans to tour Ontario in 2027.

Technical Requirements

    • Performance area: approx. 15’ x 12’

    • Basic lighting (warm general wash)

    • Simple set: table, chair, backdrop (can be provided by artist)

    • Suitable for community halls, heritage venues, and black box theatres

    • Portable sound system with cues preloaded

Audience

Ideal for:

    • General audiences (ages 12+)

    • Lovers of storytelling, history, and cultural tales inspired by Irish heritage

    • Community and heritage events, performing arts series, and literary festivals

Contact

Jay Wilson – JayWalking Theatre

Guelph, Ontario

📞 519-820-3269

📧 jaywalkingguelph@gmail.com

🌐 JayWalkingGuelph.ca/lilt-of-laughter

Christmas at the Guelph Library

Thursday December 11, 2025 at 7:00pm

A 30 minute Christmas presentation followed by a Christmas craft.

A holiday feast for the senses. Admission free, but you must register. HERE

The Guelph Library - East Side Branch. 1 Starwood Drive

I'll kick off the festivities with this Live Radio Drama, a retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol as you have never experienced before. Atmospheric sound effects compliment the voices of Jacob Marley, Scrooge, and all the ghosts.

Followed by some holiday favourites. Christmas stories to warm our hearts.

Then the library staff will guide us through making stove top scents.

All ages, everyone welcome. 

I hope to see some familiar faces and some new ones. I look forward to this event every year. Thank you Guelph Public Library

New performance added

Show alert here. New date just added. See you April 9...2026! at Guelph's River Run Centre.

Lilt of Laughter, Trace of Tears. Jay uses the pure power of storytelling to transport you to another place, another time. Lovely Irish characters in amusing situations.

Your community deserves this show too. BOOK NOW. JayWalkingGuelph@gmail.com 519 820-3269

Friday October 31, 2025

 

See you in 2026.

The Unfortunate Man – Guelph’s Halloween Tradition

“I can’t get this story out of my head and the feeling becomes more intense every year as Halloween draws closer.”

Jay of JayWalking Guelph walks up and down Douglas Street every Halloween telling the story of William Harvey, who was sentenced to hang at the Wellington County Courthouse on October 31, 1889. William was found guilty of murdering his wife and daughters and yet the citizens of Guelph dubbed him ‘The Unfortunate Man’.

For the past several years Jay has told audience members this is the final performance only to find groups asking if he’ll tell the tale once more.

Due to demand, Jay is offering a Halloween performance on Friday October 31 at 8pm. Admission is $25 and to reserve email Jay at jaywalkingguelph@gmail.com or phone 519 820-3269

Jay has been telling this story since 2017 however the tale was transformed in 2019 during a time in which Jay found himself in bed due to a cycling injury. The accident proved to be a blessing in disguise as during that time he came across numerous newspaper reports both local and national. “Not only is the story fascinating but the writing of the day really brings the story to life. As an actor I am always looking for excellent text and here I found it.”

The story about the Harvey family has been written many times, Ed Butts, local historian tells the tale in his book “Murder, 12 True Stories of Homicide” and Kim Breese gives a horrific description of the hanging in the Guelph Historical Society’s Vol. XLII (2003) booklet. There is even a fictionalized account, “The Boys In The Trees by Mary Swan, so its safe to say many have been intrigued by this true story. As you gathered, Jay is an enormous fan of the Guelph Public Library.

“Initially I wanted to write a play, in fact I held a play reading at my home. I won’t go into the whole story, but suffice to say the effigy I hung in my back yard to advertise the reading brought the paramedics to my door!”

Now Jay recounts the tale as a walking tour - street theatre performance. “While I don’t actually play the characters, we do hear many voices and the hanging is reenacted on the very spot where it took place. I like to imagine that the spirits of Matilda, Willy, Lillian and Geraldine are present as I honour their story. Often the focus is on William Harvey, yet the story involves the whole family. 

It’s pure tragedy, in that we’ll never know what motivated him. As a theatre person that too intrigues me. Modern theatre focuses on motivation, yet ancient tragedy never considered this. It is simply a matter of ‘the gods have deemed it so’. It’s the age old dilemma, determinism vs free will.

Awesome autumn tours

The Ontario street theatre season is coming to a close, however October is the best month! Cooler temperatures, atmospheric lighting.

A true tale of murder from 1889?

OR

Guelph's cutest historical tour?

Book your group NOW

JayWalking Guelph since 2017

We love October!