Perchance presents Every Brilliant Thing, directed by Allison Kelly and starring Harbour Grace native John Sheehan. A one-man show, it follow’s one person’s journey through life, love, and loss, using honesty, humour and a growing list of joys to navigate the impact of his mother’s mental illness. This play is currently playing on London’s West End!

Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) by Ann-Marie MacDonald, opening August 2 and directed by Alisa Palmer.
​​​​​​​In this feminist reimagining of Othello and Romeo and Juliet, a modern academic travels through time to rescue Shakespeare’s heroines from their fates—resulting in sword fights, hilarity, and a sharp commentary on gender and destiny.

The riotous energy of The Flying Doctor returns after a hit run in 2023. Adapted by Evan Mercer and directed by Perry Schneiderman, this slapstick-filled take on Molière’s farce blends classical theatre with the wild antics of commedia dell’arte – including a fight with a giant bologna.

Our fourth mainstage this year is Tempting Providence by Robert Chafe, Directed by Jillian Keiley (co-production with Artistic Fraud of NL). In 1921 Myra Grimsley signed a two-year contract and boarded a steamship from London, England to St. John’s, Newfoundland. Her charge: to serve as the sole health-care provider for three hundred miles of the sparsely settled coast of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula. By the time her contract ran out two years later, Myra was married to local Angus Bennett, and had given birth to their first child, Grace. Based on the true story of Nurse Myra Bennett, Tempting Providence is a play about duty and sadness, love and change. Four strong characters drive this no-frills drama about a young British nurse who only signed on for two years, and the local man for whom she stayed for seventy. Starring Colin Furlong, Una Hill-McMullin, Marquita Walsh, and Stephen Oates.

What do you get when a storyteller, a musician, and a graphic artist squeeze their brains into a tiny rectangular space? You get The Kamishib’ys, of course!

Kamishibai (Japanese for paper play) is a form of street theater and storytelling, where narrators set up a miniature wooden stage, revealing a series of colourful illustrations as the tales unfold. The Newfoundland version is The Kamishib’ys: performed by storyteller Dale Jarvis and musician and percussionist Jaehong Jin, with art byprintmaker Graham Blair. Sit down in front of their portable storytelling stage as they share a three-course feast of family-friendly fables: The Mermaid Sisters of Beachy Cove, Open Open Green House, andThe Legend of Bennett’s Cove

The Kamishib’ys: a blend of mid-century-inspired art, traditional Newfoundland storytelling, and contemporary Korean folk music! Presented with support from ArtsNL.

Shakespeare By the Sea Festival brings their production of The Merry Conceited Humours of Bottome The Weaver to Perchance.  This romping production is a 45-minute cut of A Midsummer Night’s Dream directed for young audiences. Kids and families are invited to watch Bottome be transformed into a donkey, The Fairy Queen fall in love, and the mischievous Puck see to Oberon’s masterplan, all while Quince and the Mechanicals just try to rehearse their play.

Eclectic Folk from Eclectic Folks – original music and stories inspired by Newfoundland and Labrador. Sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking. Something for everyone! jodeeandnicole.com

Perchance Theatre is proud to present the return of its beloved annual event: Shakespeare in the Garden, a one-of-a-kind outdoor theatre experience taking place at the stunning Memorial University Botanical Garden on Tuesday, August 12 at 7:00 PM.

Audiences are invited to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the garden while encountering performances from Shakespeare’s most iconic characters  brought to life in vivid colour and energy by Perchance’s talented cast. The event is a celebration of art, nature, and community, set in one of St. John’s most picturesque summer locations.

This annual delight is directed by Danielle Irvine, with performances by seasoned and beloved actors of the company. The evening will also feature ASL interpretation, generously supported by Triangular Communications, ensuring the experience is inclusive and accessible to all.

“This is a magical and immersive Shakespearean experience, where audiences wander through the gardens at their own pace, encountering performances that unfold organically as actors emerge from the forest or deliver monologues from amidst the blooms.”- Danielle Irvine

Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the gardens before the show begins. A special gift basket raffle will also be part of the evening’s festivities, with proceeds supporting Perchance Theatre’s continued programming and outreach.