Neptune Theatre (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

The Neptune Theatre is the largest professional theatre company in Atlantic Canada with a capacity of 458 and is located in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It performs a mixture of new and classical plays.

Neptune Theatre
Corner of Sackville and Argyle Streets
Former namesThe Strand Theatre
(1915 – 1928)
The Garrick Repertory Theatre
(1928 – 1929)
Neptune Theatre
1 July 1963 (1963-07-01) – present
Location1593 Argyle Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Coordinates44°38′46.02″N 63°34′27.16″W
TypeTheatre
Seating typeReserved seating
CapacityFountain Hall 458
Studio Theatre 163–200
Construction
Built1915
Opened1963
Renovated9 July 1928 (1928-07-09)
1996 (1996)
Website
www.neptunetheatre.com

History

The theatre is named after the play Théâtre de Neptune, which was performed at Port Royal, Nova Scotia as the first theatrical production in North America.

The Neptune was opened on the site of a former cinema in 1963 during Canada's drive to create regional theatres. Its first Artistic Director was Leon Major, later to become the Artistic Director of Boston Lyric Opera and Cleveland Opera. Its first President of the Board was local surgeon and CBC writer Dr. Arthur L. Murphy. The building was renovated in 1997 and now has two theatres and incorporates a theatre school.

Artistic directors
  • Leon Major (founder, first artistic director, 1963–68)[1]
  • Heinar Piller (1969–1970)
  • Robert Sherrin (1971–74)
  • John Wood (1974–77)
  • David Renton (1977–78)
  • John Neville (1978–83)
  • Tom Kerr (1983–86)
  • Richard Ouzounian (1986–89)
  • Linda Moore (1990–2000)
  • Ron Ulrich (2000–2008)
  • George Pothitos (2008–2017)[2]
  • Jeremy Webb (2017–present)[3]

Further reading
  • Perkyns, Richard (1989). The Neptune Story: Twenty-Five Years in the Life of a Leading Canadian Theatre. Lancelot Press. ISBN 978-0889993938. ( Book Review )

References
  1. "Neptune Theatre", The Canadian Encyclopedia
  2. "Neptune Theatre begins national search for new artistic director - Local Xpress". Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  3. "Jeremy Webb named Neptune Theatre's new artistic director "
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