Welcome to your digital stage, where bold theatre meets cutting-edge audio drama. Each episode draws you into captivating stories brought to life by top actors, acclaimed writers, and cinematic sound design that places you at the center of the action.
Winner of the 2020 New York Festival Gold Medal winner for Audio Drama, PlayME has dozens of productions, from daring, original audio dramas to groundbreaking plays. We offer an experience for people who love theatre and audio fiction. Whether you like dark, atmospheric thrillers, raw emotional drama, irreverent comedies, or theatre that push boundaries, our carefully curated collection has something to captivate every adventurous listener. Plus, enjoy in-depth interviews with playwrights, offering unique insights into their creative processes and the stories behind the plays.
Playwright Makram Ayache joins Chris Tolley to talk about growing up queer in rural Alberta. Hear about how the loss of Ayache's father influenced his acclaimed play The Green Line, and what it means to write from a place of “in-betweenness." The Green Line, nominated for a Governor General’s Award, is a lyrical journey through love, loss, and the legacy of queer identity across generations.
A poetic and heartbreaking story of intergenerational queer history in Lebanon begins. In present-day Beirut, Rami, a twentysomething queer Lebanese Canadian, returns to bury his father. Grieving and searching for meaning, he finds himself drawn to a queer nightclub—where a drag queen named Fifi, dressed as a phoenix, awakens a sense of connection. At the same time, we flash back to 1978, when a young man named Naseeb tries to flee Beirut’s civil war with his sister, Mona. But Mona is in love—an...
As Beirut descends into chaos in 1978, Naseeb is swept up in the war’s political tides, fracturing his bond with Mona. In the present, Rami follows a trail of memories—including a phoenix-shaped necklace left by his father—to uncover the truth about his family's past. The Green Line, nominated for a Governor General’s Award, is a lyrical journey through love, loss, and the legacy of queer identity across generations. The Green Line by Makram Ayache
Playwright Michael Ross Albert joins Chris Tolley to discuss his acclaimed play The Bidding War and the personal experience that helped inspire it. Michael shares what it was like to buy his first home through an affordable housing program — a moment that felt like winning the lottery, but also brought intense financial fear and uncertainty. Despite finally finding a place to call his own, Michael opens up about the pressure of speculative real estate and how that anxiety found its way into his ...
The open house descends into chaos as tensions erupt between buyers, agents, and unexpected guests. Secrets are revealed, alliances shift, and a medical emergency turns the high-stakes competition into something more personal. As the dream of homeownership spirals into a surreal showdown, everyone is forced to show their hand, whether they’re ready or not. Featuring: Aurora Browne, Sergio Di Zio, Izad Etemadi, Peter Fernandes, Veronica Hortiguela, Amy Matysio, Fiona Reid, Gregory Prest, Steven S...
Welcome to Toronto’s hot real estate market, where even an open house can become a pressure cooker. It’s Sam’s first day as a real estate agent, and he’s hoping for a straightforward showing. But things quickly spiral when eager buyers swarm the home of his first client, June. Tensions rise, secrets surface, and the competition turns cutthroat. In this sharp, darkly comic audio drama, The Bidding War exposes the high-stakes chaos lurking beneath Toronto’s housing bubble. Featuring: Aurora Browne...
Playwright Zahida Rahemtulla joins Laura Mullin to talk about her hit debut play, The Wrong Bashir, a sharp and funny intergenerational comedy about identity, faith, and forging your own path. They discuss the inspiration behind the play, the unique dynamics of the Ismaili community, and what it means to grow up caught between expectations and self-discovery. Zahida also shares what it was like casting her real-life father and bringing underrepresented voices to the Canadian stage. The Wrong Bas...
The mistaken identity spirals as Bashir’s family attempts to correct the mix-up, but not everyone agrees on whether it should be corrected. As the pressure mounts and unexpected visitors arrive, Bashir is forced to confront not only who others expect him to be—but who he really is. “Think 'Kim's Convenience' but set in an Ismaili Muslim family. This play feels ripe for a TV adaptation. With its mistaken identity plot and comic characters, Zahida Rahemtulla's “The Wrong Bashir” has the hallmarks ...
When philosophy student Bashir Ladha is accidentally nominated to a prestigious religious position, his family is ecstatic until they realize he’s more interested in podcasting than leading prayers. As Bashir questions the entire situation, his parents scramble to maintain appearances and navigate the growing confusion. Fast, funny, and full of heart, The Wrong Bashir is a razor-sharp comedy about mistaken identity, generational pressure, and what happens when your community’s expectations don’t...
Chris talks with Jordi Mand about writing with vulnerability, mining family stories for inspiration, and confronting personal fears through her plays. Jordi opens up about her journey from performer to playwright, the delicate balance of using real life in fiction, and how becoming a mom has changed her work. They dive into the emotional roots of In Seven Days, the role of Jewish identity in her storytelling, and why she’s drawn to characters who live in the moral grey zone. Plus, Jordi explains...
As Sam’s time grows shorter, tensions and emotions run high. Rachel’s estranged boyfriend unexpectedly shows up to support her, leading to a heated confrontation with her father over past grievances. Amid a bittersweet celebration, the family tries to hold on to moments of joy—but they’re all painfully aware of what’s coming. When Rachel uncovers a long-held secret, it might be the key to changing her father’s heart. Featuring: Mairi Babb, Ron Lea, Brendan McMurtry-Howlett, Shaina Silver-Baird, ...
When thirty-year-old Rachel returns home for Shabbat dinner with her ailing father and his girlfriend, she’s met with a life-altering announcement: her father, Sam Adleman, has chosen to end his life through Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)—and he plans to do it in just seven days. Shocked and heartbroken, Rachel decides to stay the week, desperately trying to change his mind. But when she brings their Rabbi into the conversation, family tensions rise, and Sam’s decision grows even more compli...
Playwright and performer Rachel Cairns joins Laura Mullin to discuss her acclaimed play Hypothetical Baby and the deeply personal experience that inspired it. Rachel shares her journey of facing an unplanned pregnancy despite having an IUD, the unexpected challenges of accessing abortion care, and the emotional and societal pressures that shaped her decision. Despite growing up in a progressive and supportive family, Rachel found herself unprepared for the realities of navigating reproductive he...
After navigating the barriers to abortion access, Rachel now faces the emotional weight of the experience—her body, her relationships, and the choices that linger long after the procedure. As she processes the physical toll of the abortion, a conversation with her mother reveals a hidden family history of reproductive decisions. Meanwhile, her boyfriend’s lack of emotional support forces her to question not only their relationship but the broader societal structures that leave women shouldering ...
What happens when the "what if" becomes reality? In Hypothetical Baby, award-winning playwright and performer Rachel Cairns pulls back the curtain on the unspoken truths of abortion. Raw, darkly funny, and deeply personal, this fearless solo play goes beyond the question of “will she or won’t she?”—diving headfirst into the messy, complex, and often absurd journey of reproductive choice. From a dismissive doctor’s office to a relentless spiral of Google searches, Rachel navigates judgment, uncer...
PlayME is back! Your free ticket to bold, binge-worthy theatre. In this season’s trailer, hosts Laura Mullin and Chris Tolley present five powerful new plays turned audio dramas. Hypothetical Baby by Rachel Cairns explores the complexities of deciding to have a baby—or not. In Seven Days by Jordi, Mand follows a daughter fighting to change her father’s MAiD decision. The Green Line by Makram Ayache is a GG-nominated story of queer history in Lebanon. The Bidding War by Michael Ross Albert is a d...
Go behind the scenes with Laura Mullin and Chris Tolley as they discuss the creation of TUNNEL RUNNERS, their original seven-part scripted audio thriller. They dive into the writing process, the challenges of recording action-packed scenes, and the intricacies of foley and sound design. They discuss the series' themes, including anxiety, young adulthood, life on the margins, and hidden underground societies, while reflecting on the creative decisions that shaped the story. Plus, hear their thoug...
Just take it. Why fight it? Give in to what you really are. Tunnel Runners is a new seven-episode original series from the creators of the award-winning PlayME Podcast.
Under the mist. Just me and her. Nothing else matters. -But I can’t shake the feeling we’re not alone. Tunnel Runners is a new seven-episode original series from the creators of the award-winning PlayME Podcast.
We pull him out. Covered in dirt and blood. He’s not moving. Tunnel Runners is a new seven-episode original series from the creators of the award-winning PlayME Podcast.
Don’t freak out. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Or her. Runners can’t have a witness. They’ll blame you. And Brooklyn. Tunnel Runners is a new seven-episode original series from the creators of the award-winning PlayME Podcast.
We need more people. If we don’t let them in, we disappear! We can’t keep losing to the Shadows- Tunnel Runners is a new seven-episode original series from the creators of the award-winning PlayME Podcast.
You’re 100 feet underground. In an enclosed hole in the wall. In the dark. With a stranger. -Anything could happen. Tunnel Runners is a new seven-episode original series from the creators of the award-winning PlayME Podcast.
I’ve been in abandoned buildings, on rooftops, through construction sites. But nothing beats the underground. Rules don’t exist down here. But I’m always looking for a bigger challenge. A new place to explore. Where no one’s ever been before. Tunnel Runners is a new seven-episode original series from the creators of the award-winning PlayME Podcast.
When Cam, a gifted teen from Toronto, finds himself drowning in anxiety and depression, he turns to prescription meds and endless urban exploration videos on YouTube to numb the pain. After suffering a devastating panic attack at school, he escapes into the sprawling subway tunnels beneath the city, desperate for solace. Underground, he stumbles upon a shadowy world filled with a hidden subculture thriving in the darkness. Tunnel Runners is a new seven-episode original series from the creators o...
Last month, we lost our mentor, colleague, and friend, Gregory J. Sinclair, whose contributions to the world of audio drama and this podcast were invaluable. Greg was an internationally renowned producer and director of audio dramas for CBC Radio and Audible Canada. As Executive Producer at CBC Radio, he developed, produced, and directed multiple acclaimed audio series and specials, including Afghanada and the interactive Trust, Inc. We’ve dedicated this special episode to his legacy in radio dr...
Laura talks with writer and performer Diane Flacks about her latest solo show, Guilt (A Love Story). Diane opens up about turning her sometimes painful personal experiences into compelling plays. She shares how she thinks there’s a death of fun in theatre and why she pushes herself to take risks in her work and not play it safe. Diane also talks about her writing experiences for TV, including her stint for the hit series “Kids In The Hall.” Guilt (A Love Story) by Diane Flacks....
Diane has a monster of guilt growing inside her. She feels it as she and her ex decide to separate after 20 years. It’s there when they tell their two boys that their family life as they once knew it is over. But it completely consumes her after she signs paperwork at her lawyer’s office officially ending their marriage. Panic follows, and on one of the most important nights of her life, she finds herself lying naked on the floor, unable to move. It’s there that she makes a startling realization...
Diane Flacks has been drinking alot lately. It helps numb her guilt. As she approached mid-life, she threw a bomb into her domestic life. Married for almost two decades and the mom of two boys, she finds herself growing apart from her wife. They attend couples therapy and agree to open up their marriage. She meets a younger woman and falls madly and hopelessly in love. The fallout leaves her grappling with overwhelming pangs of guilt, a sentiment amplified by her Jewish upbringing, where guilt s...
Chris talks to Paolo Santalucia about his hit show "Prodigal" and how his experience as an actor and the collaborative nature of theatre helped him find the courage to write his first play. He touches on how audiences have changed since the pandemic and why their slow return to the theatre can be a unique opportunity for artists to embrace. He shares how his Toronto roots drew him to write about class and systems of power and why he loves to write characters who aren't afraid to compromise thems...
