Seanchaí

Fringe 2026

Seanchaí

When Fionn, a young writer, visits Siobhan, a retired Seanchaí (shawn-uh-key, Irish Oral Storyteller), to get some tips on how to tell a good story he gets more of a lesson than he bargained for. As the two trade tales of Irish heroes like Cú Chulainn and Fionn mac Cumhaill, they begin to explore the importance of stories in shaping what we remember, and in helping us come to terms with what we forget.

Written by Gavin Bradley, Seanchaí is an award-winning new Canadian play developed and produced by Rua Theatre. The production features Susan Sneath, one of the original founders of the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, in her return to the Fringe stage after a 20-year retirement!

***2025 WINNER***
Stage Struck! One Act Festival:
Best Performance (Susan Sneath)
Best New Work
Best Production

Provincial One Act Festival:
Best New Work
Best Production

Creative Team:
Gavin Bradley: Playwright & Producer
Amanda Samuelson: Producer & Dramaturg
Amanda Goldberg: Directing Support
Davis Shewchuk: Stage Manager
Rebecca Cypher: Lighting, Set, and Props
Rhiannon Eldridge: Sound Designer

Cast:
Susan Sneath: Siobhan
Mark Guerrero: Fionn

Plain Language Description

Seanchaí is a new Canadian play about storytelling, memory, and Irish mythology.

Fionn is a young writer. He visits Siobhan, a retired Irish storyteller (called a Seanchaí, pronounced “shawn-uh-key”), to learn how to tell better stories. As they share tales about Irish heroes like Cú Chulainn and Fionn mac Cumhaill, they begin to talk about memory, loss, and the role stories play in helping people understand their lives.