August 15, 2026
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Justin Shaw's one-man show, "Off-Island Odyssey," proves you can go home again, with hilarious results.
The world premiere of the play opened at the Blyth Festival Theatre, Aug. 2, and audiences are loving it.
From start to finish, Shaw interacts beautifully with the audience, bringing an engaging, light-hearted feel to his journey from his home in Prince Edward Island to theatre school in Montreal, the oil patch in Fort McMurray, Alberta, and finally to life in a questionable apartment in Hamilton, Ontario.
It feels as if Shaw has invited you in to tell you his very personal and chaotic life story, what he calls "a geographical hot mess." He even begins by describing how it feels to be here on a Friday night in the Village of Blyth.
Justin Shaw performs in "Off-Island Odyssey" at the Blyth Festival; photos by Keith Tomasek
Referencing "Island wisdom," he hits the highlights of being part of an Amish community but not being Amish, the difference between a cousin and cousint (with the latter meaning you're related more than once), not connecting with his kinosphere, and realizing that acting is just pretending you know what you're doing.
You don't have to be from Prince Edward Island or even a small town to enjoy this play. It's one hilarious moment after another, and Shaw is brilliant with the one-liners and witty repartee in this fast-paced performance.
He calls Fort McMurray, Canada's Texas, and says it's not hell but you can see it from there. He wonders what on earth an Islander is doing there, but only an Islander knows the difference between here and away.
This is a funny, funny show, and Shaw has impeccable timing and fabulous delivery.
In the end, he discovers that the Island he ran from, is the only thing he can't stop thinking about.
"Off-Island Odyssey" continues until Aug. 30 on the indoor Margaret Stephens Stage at the Blyth Festival Theatre.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit blythfestival.com, or call the box office at 1-877-862-5984.
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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