During the summer of 2010, the Torbay Museum began a new and exciting public-folklore project – Museum Theatre. The Torbay Museum created two new shows by combining the history and folklore of the area with theatrical performance. The goal is to promote the heritage of Torbay in both an educational and entertaining manner. Productions took place each summer from July to August.

Featured productions for the 2011 summer season included 1762: The Taking of Torbay and Treasure Cove: A Torbay Musical. 1762 was an outdoor production with a cast of local and provincial performers and stage crew. Written and directed by Newfoundland playwright, Ben Pittman, 1762 was inspired by the French invasion and subsequent English re-taking of Newfoundland in the last battle of the Seven Years War. This play featured four Torbay residents who faced the invaders and marched into the fray to save their loved ones and their country. The main goal of this production was to connect the global wartime story of the Seven Years War to the local stories and folklore of Torbay.

Treasure Cove: A Torbay Musical was a dramatic voyage through the early days of Torbay in the age of piracy. Best friends McCarthy and Roux join the migratory fishery, sailing to an unknown and dangerous New World. An Irish beauty comes between the friends, pitting them against each other and McCarthy, believing he killed his friend, jumps ship and hides on “The Island of Stockfish”. McCarthy braves the winter in the New Found Land and learns many secrets and of a priceless treasure. However, others know as well... including the infamous buccaneer, John Nutt. Written by Ben Pittman. Performances took place at the Torbay Kinsmen Centre.

Torbay Museum Theatre exposes residents and tourists alike to some of Torbay’s local history and heritage. By taking a Museum Theatre approach, these plays renew interest in artifacts and material culture and bring many people into the museum before and after the performances to tour the exhibits. The Torbay Museum is proud to bring this powerful, effective, engaging and sometime emotional approach to heritage representation and cultural conservation.

TORBAY THEATRE IN THE MEDIA

Ben Pittman, writer and director of 1762: The Taking of Torbay was interviewed and featured on the Culture Corner Segment of Radio Canada International Program on August 23, 2010. To listen to this interview, please click here. In addition to talking about the play, Mr. Pittman delves into the history of the event, the concept of the Museum-Theatre and what we're doing here at the Town of Torbay.

A scene from the Play "1762: The Taking of Torbay," produced by the Torbay Museum.  In this scene, the articles of surrender are negotiated between the French Commander D'Hausonvlle (L) and the British Lt. Colonel William Amherst with accompanying English soldiers (R).

Audience applauds at the curtain call of "1762: The Taking of Torbay."

Performers from the Torbay Cabaret, "Pulpit Rocks," which took place at the Torbay Kinsmen Centre during the summer of 2010.