Praise The Ward 2025

Thanks to all the kids who came out to tell Prometheus a joke or a story at the Praise The Ward Festival - Guelph. You made his day. What fun!

Guelph Arts Council Historic Walking Tours

Sunday Sept  7 as we passed by 80 London Rd W. we noticed the for sale sign.  $2.2million

This is an interior photo of the house. 7 bathrooms! 

Interesting, chat gbt confirms John G Sully as the original owner and his connection to Raymond Sewing Machines but there's nothing about his affiliation with Guelph Opera House. (The Guelph Royal Opera House—also known as the Guelph Workingmen’s Opera House Co., Griffin’s Opera House, and Royal Opera House)

Building for many years known as London Rd B&B

Still lots more walking tours - Sept & Oct. 

The Butter Maker of Connemara

The Butter Maker of Connemara

This adorable story by Charlene Herrold made its debut this summer. I look forward to adding it to "Heads and Tales."

My life in art

Recently I was reminded about a past performance which sent me hunting into my personal archives.

Came across this photograph, maybe 1976? I was working toward a theatre degree from the University of Waterloo and trying to make use of my newly acquired acting skills.

Hilary & I put together a show about love using scenes from old public domain plays. We got one gig. The Charcoal Steak House for a private function of the Preston Chapter of the IODE.

God, we look so young!

Laughter, Tears

 Laughter, Tears.

Awesome autumn tours

The Ontario street theatre season is coming to a close, however September and October are the best months! 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

Alton Mill Arts Centre - Floods, Fires, and Fortitude Tour

Step into the past with "Floods, Fires & Fortitude," an immersive experience that vividly brings local history to life. Guided by performer and playwright Jay Wilson, this unforgettable walking tour weaves together dramatic storytelling, historical facts, and a touch of theatrical magic.

From devastating floods to raging fires and the resilient spirits who rebuilt from the ashes, you’ll journey through the real stories that shaped our community. With Jay’s dynamic performance leading the way, history isn’t just told — it’s felt.

Perfect for history buffs, theatre lovers, and the simply curious.

Whether you're a local or a first-time visitor, get ready to see the village and Alton Mill like never before.

Runs rain or shine. Comfortable shoes are recommended. Fortitude encouraged.

🎟️ GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY 🎟️

Leaders' Mindset

I was honoured to be invited to perform a couple of pieces from my repertoire to reinforce the values of this panel discussion on leadership.

The event took place Aug 26. The resulting video/podcast will be available soon

Want to know more about Leaders' Mindset? That is HERE

Want to know more about the event? That is HERE

Playwriting

Das Boot

It takes a lot to get me started. Even then, I often sputter. But every once in awhile the pen starts going by itself (or should I say the keystrokes).

Thinking this needs a new title. As it is about a magic boot and love perhaps Love Boot

That gives you an idea of just how silly it is. 😁

Playwriting - Jay's Plays 

This latest one is a romp. Short, to the point. A magic boot, unrequited love, a fountain and a tramp. Somewhat in the style of commedia dell'arte but not quite. 18th century? Perhaps.

To sum up. It's great fun and I hope it sees the light of day.

The Story of William Harvey 1889 Guelph

The Gwelf Early Days Tour presented by The Guelph Public Library was filled to overflowing, so we're doing it again.

This time it is a true tale of murder - The Unfortunate Man Walking Tour. Thursday August 28 at 6pm -7:30pm

Admission is FREE however you must register - HERE

More details about the tour - HERE

Yes, this time it is free thanks to the Guelph Public Library.

NOT FOR CHILDREN OR THE FAINT OF HEART.

Guelph's Blacksmith Fountain

 One of my favourite places to tell Guelph Stories.

Heads and Tales. A new theatre performance.

It's a bit like flipping a coin, except it is a winner every time.

Heads and Tales is a brand new one man show by JayWalking Theatre.

An actor takes the stage with a hat filled with stories, monologues, favourite poems and thrilling tales, He steps into the audience, proffers the hat, someone picks and voila the actor performs.

A surprise every time both for performer and audience.

Perfect for intimate theatre spaces, community halls, and friendly gatherings of all types.

Actor is standing by, ready to entertain. 

Praise The Ward Festival Guelph

 

Pandora is warming up for the Praise The Ward Festival this September. Before telling the story about how she opened the box she likes to share a few jokes. Sorry.

Info on Praise the Ward HERE

As I said. Sorry. 

Adding to the JayWalking Theatre Repertoire

Enjoyed the debut of this new story at Tea 'N Tales recently.

It's a beast of a story to memorize, but well worth it.

It's not that it's long, it's just that it has a very casual style and so it is important to get it just right.

It's another story from Charlene Herrold's book "Lilt of Laughter, Trace of Tears".

I don't have plans to add it to the show although you never know. I can also toss it into the hat for "Heads and Tales".

"The Butter Maker of Connemara". Yes this one comes complete with a leprechaun and everything!

It's a delightful tale suitable for all ages although there's the odd "damn" tossed in a few times😇

Guelph Public Library

JayWalking Guelph loves the Guelph Public Library and the Guelph Public Library loves JayWalking Guelph.

So here's an offer you can't refuse.

Free storytelling walking tours

Thursday August 28 6-7:30pm The Unfortunate Man Tour. Register HERE This one is not for the faint of heart - a true tale of murder from 1889. 

You missed Gwelf Early days but we had FUN! Wednesday July 30 6-7:30pm we enjoyed the Gwelf Early Days Tour 

You can always book your own group. See HERE

THAT'S SO GUELPH!

THIS IS US ENJOYING THE GWELF EARLY DAYS TOUR BACK IN JULY 

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

Walking Tour - sans walking!

Yes, these are great indoor shows too!

Details HERE

Perfect for your social group, Rotary club, Probus club, school...

JayWalking Theatre

 

Great Stories. Well Told.

Floods, Fires and Fortitude. - Alton Ontario

I came across this lovely sentiment while reviewing my notes for the upcoming storytelling walking tour.

Nancy Early wrote a wonderful tribute to William Algie, the man behind the Beaver Knitting Mill (Alton Mill Arts Centre). His influence can be found throughout Alton and beyond.

Here's what his brother Robert said as William was laid to rest at the Alton cemetery, "...if everyone to whom he has done some kindly, generous act were to bring a blossom to his grave he would sleep tonight beneath a wilderness of flowers."

Experience the thrills, joys, struggles and tenderness as we stroll through the Alton Mill Arts Centre and village of Alton Ontario this summer.

🎫GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY🎫

One Man Show

Now Booking 2025/26 season

519 820-3269

JayWalkingGuelph@gmail.com

Spitfire

Currently working on this play. It's quite personal.

My mother lost her first husband during WW 2. He flew a Spitfire and was shot down flying back to base. He left behind my brother who was a baby at the time. I don't know if the two ever saw each other.

I was born many years later. Mom had remarried. My brother and I were 14 years apart in age.

The play deals with the effects of war, how sometimes the injured never see battle. War scars families for many generations.

When I was about 10 or so my brother came home for a weekend. He was a figure skater with Ice Capades. He brought everyone a present. My present was a model airplane, a Spitfire.

I'm midway through a first draft. We'll see if this has legs.

Right As Rain

Well my new year's resolution to try my hand at playwriting continues.

The latest one is in two acts. 4 Characters. "Right As Rain"

It's set in the 1890's in southern Ontario. Plans to create a normal family life go horribly wrong. Love is such a complicated emotion.

I say I have finished it and yet I keep rewriting the ending. :)

Social Media

Currently you can find me here:

jayskis.bsky.social 

Self Producing

It just doesn't work anymore.

The days of cost effective promotion are over. Social media is so toxic that I refuse to create and share events, visit group pages, and tell my "friends" about upcoming performances. 

Email newsletter platforms are now too expensive, and if I am spending a lot of my time unsubscribing, so is everyone else.

Eventbrite or other on-line ticketing services are now too cluttered and too expensive.

Covid decimated local theatre spaces. The result is that they will accept anything if it pays the rent, even if that means ignoring their mandate to present only live theatre.

Local media is dead or dying. Certainly it's standards have been chopped off at the knees.

It's just no fun anymore. Sigh

Playwriting

Something new for 2025.

Local live theatre booster Eric Goudie, put out a call at the end of 2024 asking people to submit a 10 minute play. A few would be selected for a play reading at the Fergus Grand Theatre to celebrate World Theatre Day, Thursday March 27, 2025.

A 10 minute play felt doable. Although I knew that might be deceiving, because they say poetry is taking a full length novel and reducing it to ten lines. 

ANYWAY, I gave it a go and thoroughly enjoyed the exercise.

Many times throughout my theatrical journey I have had to compose scripts or texts. Sometimes for child drama presentations or adult workshops. Under pressure and time constraints, I was able to whip something off because procrastination was not an option. Were they good? Well let's just say they were not dreadful.

What scares me most about writing is the constant rewriting. It's so damn hard to stay motivated after the initial "ah ha" moment of inspiration. Now the drudgery begins, like every creative endeavour.

Still, that experience of writing a ten minute play was, on the whole, lots of fun and extremely rewarding. I was able to say after several hours and many rewrites, "I did it"!

I love performing. I know I am in my comfort zone when I do it, however the media landscape has changed drastically in the last few years and self promoting live shows is increasingly depressing. I have come to loath social media. I miss the days of newspapers, local theatre reviews, and print advertising.

The nice thing about playwriting is I can keep it a solitary activity (and yet here I am - the irony is not lost on me).

Still, I have just finished a full length play, two more 10 minute plays and am now struggling with two more full-length drafts. Will I now die trying, or will this move forward? I don't know.

What I do know is many years ago when dabbling with the story of The Unfortunate Man, I initially wrote it as a play. I threw a play reading party, which was loads of fun and I learned then that I was not a playwright. That play went on to become a walking tour.

My latest full length play, based on the notorious story of Burke, Hare and Knox, a 19th century tale of murder, will make for another marvelous play reading party if nothing else. Stay tuned for details and if this sounds like fun, reach out.