‘Omnium Gatherum’ returns one final time

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, December 17, 2025

With a cozy atmosphere and holiday feel, Island Stage Left’s “Omnium Gatherum,” meaning a gathering of all, has become a Christmas tradition for the island community.

“Christmas is about tradition, and [“Omium Gatherum”] has become a part of that, which I find very moving,” Island Stage Left co-founder Helen Machin-Smith says. Island Stage Left is a nonprofit theater group that has been bringing performances for free to the islands for approximately 30 years.

Featuring music, poetry, stories, jokes, and more, ranging from touching to hilarious, there is something for everyone. The event takes place at Brickworks, Monday, Dec. 22, at 7 pm, Tuesday, Dec. 23, at both 4 p.m. and 7:30 pm, Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, donations are gratefully accepted.

Island Stage Left co-founders Machin-Smith and Daniel Mayes originally began performing “A Christmas Carol” as their holiday play. Although scenes from “A Christmas Carol” are still included, it quickly evolved into much more.

Mayes and Machin-Smith will be joined again this year by musicians Mark Mazzarella, Patti Bair and Sarah Boden. Singing and music come as naturally to Mazzarella, Blair and Boden, Machin-Smith says, as acting comes to Mayes.

“It has been a real delight,” she said of working with the small group. “It isn’t a hard slog for anyone.”

Last year featured a Palestinian harmony combined with an Israeli song; there were medieval pieces as well as a few ‘60s and ‘70s tidbits thrown in.

This year, multiculturalism continues, and frequent audience goers will recognize some old favorites. A couple of new songs will be added to keep things fresh, according to Machin-Smith. The holidays tend to have an element of spirituality to them, encouraging one another to reach for the best in themselves and others, and Machin-Smith says, “Giving and kindness are universal.” The works included in “Omnium Gatherum” tend to foster that mindset.

Life struggles are also part of the human experience, another element that the performance highlights.

“What I like about [“Omnium Gatherum”] is the progression, moving through hard times with humor. We have to acknowledge how we feel and find our way through it through humor, music and wisdom,” Machin-Smith said.

This year will be bittersweet, being Machin-Smith and Mayes’ last performance on the island. The couple has made a life-changing decision to move to England. Island Stage Left will continue, however, under Zach Harrison and his talented wife, Kelly, Machin-Smith and Mayes said in an announcement. No doubt islanders will be watching to see what happens next.

Because this will be their final performance, Machin-Smith recommends attendees get there in plenty of time, as the shows are likely to be busy. For those with mobility issues, they are happy to save space. Contact them at islandstageleft@gmail.com.

Information can be found at www.islandstageleft.org.