Port Stanley Festival Theatre Presents World Premiere: ‘Deadly Memories’ by Peri Hayes Steven Gallagher began playwriting twenty years ago, and has been performing for double. With Port Stanley Festival Theatre (PSFT) hosting the world premiere of Deadly Memories , Steven offers insight into what inspired this narrative: “Some of my earliest memories in the theatre were of seeing thrillers and mysteries at Summer Stock. Deadly Memories is my way of trying to recapture that excitement that you can only get in a theatre. I’m hoping people have some laughs, thrills, and a really fun night out.” With Deadly Memories classified as a thriller/comedy, Steven offers, “I love Hitchcock movies, and this is a bit of an homage to those films. It’s a modern take on that genre with fun and creepy updates.” Avoiding spoilers, Steven concisely reveals a taste of what this storyline entails: “After a car accident leaves her with amnesia, Cassandra retreats with her husband to a cabin on an isolated island on Lake Erie, hoping the familiar setting will restore her memory. When strange visions begin to haunt the cabin and her estranged sister arrives, the weekend spirals into a darkly comic game of manipulation, paranoia, and survival. As buried memories resurface, Cassandra must uncover the truth before the storm traps her on the island with a killer.” As Steven further shares, “This play came about because I wanted to work with Liz Gilroy, the Artistic Director of PSFT! Liz and I have been friends for over thirty years, and it has been especially wonderful working with someone who is as excited about this as I am.” To this, Liz enthuses, “It was always my intention to direct the
show, as I have been the dramaturg for this piece. It is an absolute pleasure to collaborate with Steven. This is a brand new genre for PSFT, and I can’t wait to share this with our patrons.” Deadly Memories participated in PSFT’s Simon Joynes Play- wrights’ Festival, 2025 – live readings, about which Steven reflects: “There aren’t many events that are committed to supporting new Canadian plays, so it was an honour to be included. The Port Stanley audiences are very committed to their theatre, and it was great to hear their thoughts and questions after the reading.” Regarding the upcoming debut of Deadly Memories , Steven concludes with cheer, “I’m especially excited that the premiere is happening in Port Stanley, because of its long history of premiering new Canadian work – it’s a real thrill to be part of that.” Presented at
PSFT from July 29th to August 15th, visit psft.ca or their Box Office on Bridge Street to secure your Deadly Memories ticket(s) today!
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Page 6 Port Stanley Villager • July-August 2026
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