- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Neptune Theatre
Category: Arts & Entertainment Performing Arts Performing Arts [Edit]
1593 Argyle StHalifax, NS B3J 2B2
(902) 429-7070
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am - 5 pm
Sat 12 pm - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
13 reviews for Neptune Theatre
13 reviews in English
-
Review from Navoda S.
1/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
Neptune and I have a long standing relationship. I usually see about 2 shows a year and they are almost always the December and May musical productions. I love musicals, and there aren't a whole lots of options for venues for this kind of thing in Halifax, so it makes sense to head to Neptune. But that's not the only reason to put Neptune on your bucket list. Its a cute little place that puts on quite a few shows a year. The seats are fairly comfortable (might be the only theatre you will want to sit middle to back as there is way more leg room) and the productions are high quality. They also have discounted nights, but even if you are willing to pay full price it is not expensive at all.
-
Review from Tiffany T.
Halifax, NS
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went and saw The Jungle Book on Saturday night, my first show at Neptune Theatre. I had been wanting to go for some time now and finally had a chance. What I did not was about the promotion they have going on now so here's the deal. Sponsored through TD, Neptune is releasing 30 seats per day for that day's show for students at a discounted rate. I stumbled upon this deal on Saturday while checking for prices for that night's show. I ended up grabbing some awesome seats at $20 a pop, taxes in. GET ON THIS DEAL. You can find it on their website
When you first get into the building, your tickets are scanned and you proceed downstairs and wait until the doors are opened for the show. There is a bar with concessions, which I wasn't expecting however you cannot take anything into the theatre with you except bottles with a lid.
Upon entering the theatre I felt underwhelmed. The theatre itself wasn't what I expected at all and much smaller than I anticipated. I think Neptune is in need of some renovations. The seating was crowded and uncomfortable, and terribly worn out. BUT...
The show was amazing! A fantastic interpretation of The Jungle Book. Great acting, great music and a great story line. We were seated in the orchestra section, 7 rows from the front which was a great choice. We could hear and see everything.
So, when there is show that I really want to see again I will be back. -
Review from Miranda J.
Dartmouth, NS
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Neptune Theatre is a great place for date night or solo night. They always have something going on and the "pay what you can" nights are really nice if you're a student and don't want to pay full price--just make sure to line up early (really, really early)!
I went to see "The Jungle Book" and the play was absolutely spectacular. The casting was spot on and the set design was amazing. I can't wait to see another play put on by Neptune Theatre. -
Review from Denise T.
Halifax, NS
9/15/2011
I have seen some great plays over the years!
I always look forward to each new season to see what the line up of shows will be. -
Review from Jill M.
2/2/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Knowing that Halifax is home to a place like Neptune Theatre makes me so happy. I was a talentless wannabe theatre dork in high school and have always loved plays and musicals. Neptune has put on some shows that have blown me away, like Beauty and The Beast, Peter Pan, A Christmas Carol and The Wizard of Oz.
What's so great about Neptune is that it's accessible to everyone. If you're in the mood for a swanky night out on the town, grab some dinner at one of the great nearby restaurants before seeing a show. (I recommend getting seats near the center in the balcony.) But if cash is a little tight, you can find out when the "Pay What You Can" night is. I've gone to plenty of these, and although you have to wait in line to get a good seat, it's always worth it.Listed in: Fun, Fun, Fun
-
Review from Ben B.
1/17/2011 9 Check-ins Here
Neptune Theatre is Atlantic Canada's number one venue for performance art with shows running year-round ranging from incredible character-driven pieces like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, to fun and fanciful musicals like the ones with cats that aren't hanging out on metallic housetops. It's the go-to destination for local showstoppers, holiday favourites, and tourist-pleasers. Overall, it's a great spot for a special night out on the town that you won't soon forget. But there's a Thing.
Yes - even though I love Neptune and actively admit that I don't go as often as I'd like to, the Thing is that sometimes I feel like Neptune tries to take on too much. I understand the importance of adapting big touring productions for the smaller stage in order to appeal to a wider audience, but these bigger shows just don't hold up in quality to some of their smaller, more focused runs where the talent really shines. Save the Broadway staples for Broadway. -
Review from Philip H.
Halifax, NS
2/2/2011 6 Check-ins Here
Classy decor, nice lighting. Staff are amazing. Productions are great, have yet to see one I didn't enjoy.
Ticket prices are a bit steep, but you get what you pay for, excellent live theatre! -
Review from Joshua Y.
Vancouver, BC
10/9/2009 1 photo
The only major theatre company in Nova Scotia. But at times, a place to see really great plays!
Neptune Theatre is not unlike any other theatre company, professional or amateur. At times they have plays that are a huge hit with amazing performances that I will always remember. And at other times, they really miss their mark. But now that I have a better sense of the Actors in the city and who to watch out for, I generally can always expect a good show since I know what plays to go to.
Neptune Theatre has been around for a very, very long time. They are the largest Theatre company in Nova Scotia and have an entire separate school division in the same building where they teach mainly Youth how to act and perform. They are also conveniently located right downtown Halifax, sitting between some very popular bars and restaurants on Argyle street.
The reason why they are missing a star is because I feel they still, from time to time, do what I like to call, "Presentational Acting." This style of acting was commonplace among Theatres around North America fifteen years ago and later. But theatre productions in other major cities in North America have adopted a more realistic style of acting on stage that doesn't ask for great diction and perfect posture while announcing your lines. I'm seeing less and less of this "presentational acting" at Neptune Theatre so I predict another star will be arriving in the next few years.
During Christmas time they have an amazing performance of the classic story, "A Christmas Carol." And they are also getting better at having a wider variety of shows than they have had in years past.
I anticipate Neptune Theatre will be getting better through the years. They still tend to cater to an older crowd which I believe is simply because the young "whipper snappers," these days want big explosions on a movie screen rather then sit in a theatre watching a real person perform. But I have a feeling Neptune Theatre knows about this and is doing what they can to appeal to the largest audience possible. I hope they keep moving in the right direction. -
Review from David W.
10/16/2010
By reputation the Neptune is Halifax's premiere theatre, theatre company, and theatre school. The company has undergone numerous changes in its 40 year history, but this season is reminiscent of a shift into safe crowd pleasing favourites: The Wizard of Oz, Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story, among their previous years such as A Christmas Carol, Beauty and the Beast, and CATS.
The theatre school attached to the professional company has been building a reputation for itself. However, the students that emerge appear cut from a set style that suggests a lack of outside influences in the methods of acting found in other internationally regarded acting programs in Canada.
Tickets range from $15 - $50. The Fountain Hall or main theatre comfortably seats 479, and their Studio Stage seats 200. They offer a coat room downstairs though its open and unwatched. Washrooms are located on the same floor.
The rental rates of the theatre, especially their Not-For-Profit rates make this theatre accessible to a smaller theatre company compared against other Canadian theatres of comparable size and reputation.
They are sponsored and funded by corporations, through private donations, and by the government such as The Canada Council for the Arts, Halifax Regional Municipality, and Nova Scotia Tourism Bureau.
Review for Romeo and Juliet:
I found this play indicative of other Neptune shows I've seen.
The acting swayed like Theodore the Tugboat caught in Halifax's Atlantic storms. None were safe as the rising and failing were present from ensemble cast up to the titles roles.
The play found its saving grace and success in Juliet. Masterfully livened by Sarah English, whose young innocence yet maturity of the heart, brought to life the complex and dramatic 14 year old heiress. The audience fell deeply in love with her endearing honesty that carried us through the rough waters of the other performances. Particularly, Act III Sc ii, the whispers in and around on the conclusion of her monologue made for an insightfully chilling experience. The striking journey of role and actor took us back to memories of our own childhood disobedience and the discovery of love for the first time -- a timeless story-theme of love and woe that has immortalized this classic.
Readily found was tragedy, not only in plot, but in Derek Moran's portrayal of Romeo. A painful scrapping by that all too reminds us how a role of such epic proportions requires the comprehension and insight to bring forth a star crossed lover. Instead we're granted the impression of a hastily picked up script in the hands of an inexperienced Shakespearean actor giving it his old college, or possibly high school text learnt, try. The fledgling actor was swallowed whole in this 400 year inspiration and the audience's affection left him well before intermission. The combination of forgetting & jumping quotable lines and shameful pronunciation made for many inaudible dropped lines. A classic buttering of the 4th wall encapsulated most of his scenes and made dreadful each time the actor entered and a welcome relief when exeunt. All this was complimented by his shouting in place of stakes and genuine emotion. Overall enduring 2 hours and 15 minutes of a constant pubescent whining in every love to tragic sonnet made for an embarrassing experience not only for Moran, but for the squirming audience alike.
Other poor roles were portrayed by the Prince and Benvolio whose stature and grace were as bleak and unbelievable leaving the audience thankful they claimed only a few pages of the bard's work.
The supporting cast's only redeeming feature was the outstanding performance of Jeremy Webb as Friar Laurence whose sincerity and fatherly performance reminisced of Atticus Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird.
Notably the production values were set high with its lighting design being the weakest out of set, costumes, and sound design. Masaki Schuette brought stunning and fully realized concept to the costumes but did leave a few areas left to be desired. Lighting and direction saved face with a few unworkable portions of the set. The fight choreography upstaged the actors and while perhaps some of the most realistic I've seen in years, the dialogue was lost among a blaze of rapiers and the sounds of metal clashing.
Would I recommend this play? Sure. The majority of people will enjoy a show like this the majority of the time. Will this show be the talk of the town for years to come? Absolutely not. -
Review from Laura P.
6/16/2010
Neptune is the pillar of Halifax's performing arts community, and has been since 1915. The company has made its way through the years, acquiring solid backing through integral performance, proving itself as a place for locals and visitors of Halifax.
Located in the heart of downtown, Neptune houses many big productions, as well as smaller independent shows. There always seems to be something going on, so if you're interested, take a pop down or look online. High School Musical, Beauty and the Beast, and CATS are just a few of the many.
While I was in foundation year at NSCAD, I took a performing arts class, and we were required to attend a number of performance shows for the credit. It was all a new experience, but certainly a new and exciting one. Several interesting, artful shows, I watched... most of them inspired and leaving me with something new. Not my own artistic outlet, but it was fascinating to see those who use this art on such a deep level.
Its a very prestige experience, to come to the Neptune. From the heart and built off passion, the full atmosphere is alive, and its our own little maritime broadway. Great energy! -
Review from Katie M.
Halifax, NS
3/11/2010
I have been to more shows at Neptune Theatre than I can count. In fact, I don't remember a year during my childhood when I didn't go see at least one show with my school or my parents. The tickets are pretty expensive, especially for the feature shows, but there are usually deals on youth tickets which is convenient.
Every year the theatre company puts on four shows featuring a mix of local and recruited actors. My favorite Neptune show each year is always the Musical. Beauty and the Beast was amazing a few years ago, High School Musical was entertaining last year and I am anticipating the run of Peter Pan coming this spring!
Other services include rental of theatre spaces, youth summer drama camps, theatre school and young company tours. If you want to buy tickets, visit their website fr a seating chart and prices and performance times.
Hot Hint: Make sure you catch the Theatre School and Youth Production Company performances, the tickets are less expensive but the shows are just as entertaining. -
Review from Lacey H.
3/4/2010
Everyone in Halifax knows Neptune Theatre. It is the main performance space for all shows with a higher budget, often importing actors from places like Toronto, to be the main players.
Last evening, I was fortunate enough to be taken to the theatre by my sister who had complimentary tickets through her work. The main stage has great visibility, so even though we were in the back of the lower level, I still felt very much enthralled by the happenings on stage.
The play was great - witty and sad with a small ensemble. During the intermission we took a little breather in the foyer, where I noticed beverage prices. I recommend bringing your own water because a bottle here costs $3.
I don't often attend performances at Neptune. I hate to say that ticket prices are a deterrent, but it is the truth sometimes. However, it is the best place in town to see a higher budget show. The stage is always ripe with talent and the set and tech work are done to perfection. -
Review from cheryl d.
Halifax, NS
3/30/2010 2 photos
Well what can I say this way my first experience with Neptune Theater. Christmas I was given tickets to Christmas Carol.
I found the theater to be very small and almost claustrophobic to me. The play itself was good but it seemed that the stage was almost to small for the actors as well as the settings and back drops.
During intermission the concession stand was very small staff with two peopled that sold me wet stale smarties not impressed.
I guess we have tickets for next Christmas for Alice and Wonderland.
