Tara Rosling offering readings of Mistletoe Bride

When Tara Rosling and Peter Hinton decided in 2014 to offer a theatrical reading of The Mistletoe Bride at Silversmith Brewing Company, they had no idea they were establishing an increasingly popular annual tradition.

Although the pandemic cancelled the 2020 performance, last year Rosling was able to present it virtually. It was well-received, it just wasn’t the same experience for her or the viewers — there was “a bit of a disconnect, but it filled a void, and raised a lot of money for Gillian’s Place,” she says.

She is looking forward to being back at Silversmith this holiday season, in front of an audience, but plans on again offering a virtual reading “for those who aren’t yet comfortable going out,” and also for those who aren’t local and would like to see it.

The reading is based on a haunting British folk tale by Jeanette Winterson, and was adapted by Hinton.

Silversmith was the ideal atmosphere for the one-woman performance, with the intimate setting of a dark, century- old church, candles flickering, ambience in abundance, and Rosling telling the tale of a dangerous game of hide-and-seek between bride and groom on their wedding night.

That first year, Rosling remembers showing up at Silversmith and being surprised to find it full, she thought of people there for dinner who would soon be leaving. Instead, she discovered they were there for her, and as more arrived, plans were quickly made to add a second reading, and the spill-over crowd was sent away and told to come back later in the evening.

The next year it grew to two readings on each of two nights, then to three readings over three evenings. She has also performed it at other venues, but discovered nowhere is as well-suited for the tale she tells as a warm, cozy pub on a cold winter’s night.

This year, there will also be a reading at The Irish Harp, where owner Jovie Joki, who likes to offer entertainment, asked Rosling to bring The Mistletoe Bride to her restaurant. The pub atmosphere, Rosling says, should be well-suited to the reading — although maybe not quite as quiet as she’s used to — she’s looking forward to seeing how the audience reacts.

With more than a decade of seasons at the Shaw Festival and a long list of TV credits, Rosling has just wrapped up season five as T’Rina on Star Trek, and has made the decision to get back on stage in front of an audience with the Shaw ensemble next season. The timing allows her to still do Star Trek, “which is super fun,” and fit in The Mistletoe Bride, a fundraiser for Gillian’s Place, which is very important to her.

While Hinton won’t be able to work with her on this year’s reading, she’s performed it often enough to be comfortable doing it on her own, and is looking forward to working again with him at the Shaw, she says.

She’s grateful to be able to make decisions about how she wants to spend her time, and take on projects that are not only fulfilling, but allow her to help causes that are important to her, such as the support The Mistletoe Bride provides Gillian’s Place.

Be prepared for a magical evening, transported back in time with this dark, eerie Christmas story to be told by Rosling at The Irish Harp Dec. 11, and -Silversmith Dec. 20.

Reservations are recommended, and plan to come early to enjoy a pint and a meal before the show.

Call the Irish Harp at 905-468-4443, or Silversmith at 905-468-8447.