Announcing our 50th Anniversary Season
World Premiere
SeptEMBER 26 - October 25, 2026
THE LODGER
By Susie Moloney & Vern Thiessen, Based on the novel by Marie Belloc Lowndes and inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1927 film
Beware who you invite into your home…
Bill and Ellen Bunting are struggling to make ends meet when a mysterious lodger appears to be the answer to their financial troubles. However, the timing of the lodger’s arrival is eerily suspicious when a series of murders indicate a serial killer is on the loose. As Bill becomes a suspect in the eyes of policewoman Joannie, Ellen’s best friend, Ellen begins to look closer at the stranger living under her roof. Can Ellen get to the truth before more young women fall victim, and what will she do once she finds out who the killer truly is?
Inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s famous silent thriller of the same name, renowned Canadian novelist Susie Moloney and award-winning playwright Vern Thiessen reanimate this classic suspense into a modern and stunning world premiere.
Photo by Fifth Wall Media
Why This Play?
“THE LODGER is both a familiar and unfamiliar piece, drawing in audiences with its suspenseful storytelling, tension, and pace. I love high-octane pieces that let us see what’s coming, yet still surprise us. THE LODGER is a thrilling Hitchcock tale from the master himself, adapted by two of Canada’s most renowned writers.”
Jack Grinhaus, Artistic Director
Maxim Vinogradov, Austin Halarewich; Costumes by Raili Boe; Photo by Fifth Wall Media
North American Premiere
November 14 - December 19, 2026
SHERLOCK HOLMES:
THE HUNT FOR MORIARTY
By Nick Lane, Based on the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Master sleuths and criminal masterminds.
A junior government clerk is found dead on the railway tracks. Papers found in his pocket contain closely guarded government secrets that Mycroft Holmes feels his brother Sherlock should investigate. As the case unfolds, a series of mysterious events lead to a rising body count among ‘The Scoundrels Assembly’. At the centre of it all is a shadowy figure planning one final deadly move in his twisted chess match. The players are ready, the scene is set, but how much will Sherlock Holmes sacrifice as he faces ‘checkmate’?
This thrilling North American Premiere, from the playwright that brought us THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE, brings Sherlock’s most challenging case and arch-nemesis to the Vertigo stage this holiday season.
SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE HUNT FOR MORIARTY was originally commissioned by Blackeyed Theatre Company
Why This Play?
“In looking at our history, Sherlock Holmes was probably the most popular work done at our theatre. As soon as I saw that Nick Lane (who was the playwright from our hit production of THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE) had written a new Sherlock that pitted the master sleuth against his arch rival, I knew it had to be a cornerstone for our 50th. It is an enthralling traditional mystery that audiences will absolutely love.”
Jack Grinhaus, Artistic Director
January 16 – February 14, 2027
THE VEIL
By KEITH BARKER & THomas Morgan Jones
A Thought For Food Production
Darkness lies beyond the veil…
A high-powered attorney will do anything to make partner, even if it means inheriting a sinister curse. Little does he know every terrible deed he’s ever committed stirs to life as he faces a terrifying truth – sometimes the darkness comes from within. As torment approaches, it is a race against time to find penitence and evade the ghosts of the past.
This new Canadian chiller was a smash hit in Toronto last year and is written by renowned playwright’s Keith Barker and Thomas Morgan Jones. THE VEIL is a haunting story inspired by the dangers of blind ambition and the consequences of our actions.
Why This Play?
“THE VEIL is a play that exploded out of the gates, conquered Toronto and will soon visit Stratford. It’s an intimate tale in the middle of a season of epics and I wanted to feature an eerie play with a unique storytelling style.”
Jack Grinhaus, Artistic Director
Byron Abalos, Production & Lighting Design by Jareth Li, photo by Raph Nogal & Fifth Wall Media
Nicole Logan & Maxim Vinogradov; Costumes by Raili Boe; Photo by Fifth Wall Media
March 13 - April 17, 2027
THE 39 STEPS
Adapted by Patrick Barlow, From the novel by John Buchan, From the movie by Alfred Hitchcock, Licensed by ITV Global Entertainment Limited And an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon, By Arrangement with Fiery Angel Limited
A laugh-a-minute epic spy mystery!
A beautiful spy is murdered in the home of Richard Hannay, who finds himself at the centre of a countrywide pursuit led by a mysterious organization. Now he must stay one step ahead of the killers, the police, and a jealous husband in a quest to prove his innocence.
This two-time Tony award-winning film-noir masterpiece, and Vertigo blockbuster is loaded with nonstop laughs, a talented cast of four playing over 150 eccentric characters, an onstage plane crash and some good old fashioned romance!
THE 39 STEPS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
WHY THIS PLAY?
“THE 39 STEPS is one of my favourite plays ever. It is usually everyone’s favourite! I wanted to reboot one of the shows that our audiences loves the most. It’s a perfect fit for our 50th, and a great way to balance this season.”
Jack Grinhaus, Artistic Director
World Premiere
May 15 - June 13, 2027
THE MIDNIGHT TORCH: A Detective Murdoch Mystery
BAsed on the characters from the MUrdoch Mystery novels by Maureen Jennings, a new stage play by Michael Ross Albert, with a story by Peter MitChell and Saleema Nawaz, A Vertigo Theatre Production in association with Shaftesbury, directed and Dramaturgy by Jack Grinhaus
Truth, lies and murder in the age of invention.
1893. New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and Edith Booth, a well-off debutant, invites a group of inventors to her Toronto home to present their new inventions to her, inspired by her recent visit to the Chicago World Fair. Among her guests is young, newly-appointed junior detective William Murdoch, an inventor in his own right. When the presentation of a ‘disappearing device’ goes terribly wrong, Fred Miller is found dead inside the machine and it is clear murder is the cause. Now all of the guests are suspects. What starts out as a cut and dry case soon devolves into a tangled web of deceit and betrayal. Murdoch and his new acquaintance Julia Ogden, must combine their knowledge of science and investigation to deduce who the killer is.
Featuring the characters from the critically acclaimed hit tv series, Murdoch Mysteries, this exciting new live production serves as both an engaging origin story and an enthralling new mystery.
Austin Halarewich & Lauren Brotman; Costumes by Raili Boe; Photo by Fifth Wall Media
Why This Play?
“The Murdoch Mystery television series is one of Canada’s favourites and it’s been a four year adventure for us to bring this new play to our stage. Fans of the series will recognize many beloved characters and Vertigo will introduce some new ones. Vertigo wanted to develop and premiere what could become a renowned Canadian classic right here in Calgary. After all it is what this theatre does best. Partnering up with this legendary series was a privilege and opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”
Jack Grinhaus, Artistic Director
Special Presentation
In The Studio, Vertigo Theatre
February 26 – March 7, 2027
8ROJo’s LAST CANDLE
When a renowned physician saves Death from a winter storm, he is granted a special gift – to save the mortally-ill, at will. The only condition: to never defy Death’s orders. But when the physician must save a loved one from perishing, he decides to face the consequences of confronting the lady of the underworld herself.
LAST CANDLE is a terrifying non-verbal visual performance by Vertigo’s resident company 8ROJO, based on the Brothers Grimm tale Godfather Death.
Why this play
“I have been wanting to launch a Second Stage series here at Vertigo to showcase the many different forms that genre theatre can take. We will be focusing on smaller theatre companies in the community that can offer audiences some ‘off Vertigo’ productions. It is the kind of work that takes some risks and thinks outside the box. “
Jack Grinhaus, Artistic Director
Photo by Fifth Wall Media