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.
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) 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) Jeremy Webb (2017–present)
Further reading
( Book Review )