Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are renowned as colourful characters and storytellers. With a culture rooted deep in craft and artistic expression, it’s no surprise this off-kilter place boasts a countless amount of talented artists. In particular, the Eastern portion of the island is where numerous of our most talented artists call home, many of which express their creativity through theatrical performances. These folks can show you a night like no other, leaving your toes tapping, a smile on your face, and a tear in your eye. This region is lucky to be host to five major theatre companies, located in Trinity, Placentia, Cupids, St. John’s, and Grand Bank.

Rising Tide Theatre

Rising Tide Theatre has been a long standing pillar in the community of Trinity. With a modest start in 1978 in St. John’s, they brought their production to rural Newfoundland with the New Founde Lande Trinity Pageant in the early 90s. This outdoor theatre experience takes visitors through the community to highlight what life would have looked like years before. In 2000, the festival received a new home when they built the current theatre. Located on Green's Point, a historic landmark in the town, this theatre is the perfect place to experience some of the best history and art our beautiful province has to offer.

Each year, Rising Tide Theatre produces a number of shows that explore life in Newfoundland and Labrador. They work with local writers to produce high quality professional shows to spark your imagination. Enjoy favourites like West Moon by Al Pittman, a story of the dead in St. Kevin’s cemetery coming alive to talk to one another again.

Placentia Theatre Festival

The Placentia Theatre Festival offers a unique experience to visitors to the area. With a rotating collection of stages, you could see a show at the Placentia Arts Centre one day or at the Castle Hill National Historic Site another! Established in 1993, this group has been showcasing provincial talent to locals and visitors alike for nearly 30 years.

Shows at the Placentia Theatre Festival range from musical talent to a local walking tour of the community. They help tell the stories of Placentia’s rich history, such as the Battle of Terre Neuve, which depicts the story of the Basque who made a home for themselves in Placentia in the early 1500s. Join them for an experience like no other and take in all the wonderful culture that can be found in this part of the province.

Perchance Theatre

Perchance Theatre is home to one the province’s premiere classical theatre experiences. Located in Cupids, along the Baccalieu Coastal Drive, this open air theatre is the perfect place to enjoy a show. Constructed in 2010 in conjunction with the Cupids 400th anniversary celebrations, the theatre design was modelled after Shakespeare’s famous open air Globe Theatre in London.

The team at Perchance Theatre works with local artists to present classical shows, with a focus on Shakespeare, that help highlight the space and provide unique experiences for visitors. They also work with local writers to present provincial shows that tell the story of our history, such as Our Eliza, which takes place over a span of 60 years following a family and featuring their struggles of life, in particular the lives of women in rural Newfoundland.

Check out their Power of One Series here to see some of Newfoundland and Labrador’s talent in beautiful locations across the province.

LSPU Hall

Tucked alongside the Jellybean Row houses in the hills of the downcore core, the LSPU Hall pays homage to the Longshoremen’s Protective Union (LSPU) who owned the facility from 1903 to 1976 as their headquarters for meetings, debates, and strike votes representing the working class. It was sold to the not-for-profit Resource Centre for the Arts (RCA) who now run the RCA Theatre Company in-house providing support and resources to aid the production and promotion of theatre in St. John’s and the province as a whole.

Many of Newfoundland & Labrador’s biggest and brightest artists spent time on this stage honing their craft including Mary Walsh, Rick Mercer, Mark Critch, Ron Hynes, Cathy Jones, Susan Kent - the list goes on and on. With over 150 original productions on their mainstage since 1976, the RCAT has been at the center of art in the capital city for decades. Performances take place year-round and ticket information and purchasing can be found on their website or by phone.

Grand Bank Regional Theatre

The Grand Bank Regional Theatre has been curating performances for nearly 25 years. What started as a dream to help highlight local history has now grown into an annual theatre festival with talent from all across the province. This theatre is located in its namesake, the scenic and historic community of Grand Bank, on the Burin Peninsula.

With a mixture of shows, the Grand Bank Regional Theatre Company has something for everyone. They host a number of local shows that are a production of local writers and actors in the province. Over the summer season, they also host a dinner theatre for visitors looking for a package offering, and produce a number of musical concerts that will leave you dancing all night long.

Get This Show on the Road!

A tip when travelling: Be sure to check out each theatre's social media pages and website for the most up to date information regarding shows. Always book online or call ahead to avoid disappointment. These shows sell out fast and you won’t want to miss out!

Have an image from your adventures you would like to share with us? Tag us on Instagram @newfoundlandlabrador and use #ExploreNL

Header image by @wanderingnl