Arts & Culture

Local Theatre Group Reimagines Shakespeare on the Coast

With seagulls as soundtracks and ocean views as scenery, the Coastal Stage Company’s open-air performances are offering a maritime twist on the Bard’s timeless dramas.

Fiona McKenzie | October 15, 2025 at 12:52 AM

With ocean waves as their backdrop and gulls as their ambient sound, the Coastal Stage Company is redefining what it means to bring Shakespeare to life. This fall, the Halifax-based troupe has launched an open-air theatre series along the Nova Scotia coastline, delivering the Bard’s classics with a distinctly maritime twist.

Their latest production, a windswept adaptation of 'The Tempest,' was performed on a rocky outcrop near Herring Cove, with actors donning sea-weathered cloaks and audience members seated on driftwood benches. “It’s raw, it’s elemental — it’s Shakespeare in his truest environment,” said artistic director Lila McGregor.

The company has embraced minimal staging, relying instead on natural landscapes to evoke setting. In one scene, Miranda and Ferdinand’s love story played out beneath the wide Atlantic sky, with crashing waves accentuating every emotional beat. Lighting came courtesy of the setting sun and a handful of lanterns lit by crew members.

Audience members, bundled in scarves and sipping thermoses of cider, said the coastal productions feel more intimate and immersive than traditional theatre. “You’re not watching a play — you’re inside it,” said local resident Dean Roscoe. “It’s all around you.”

The Coastal Stage Company was formed in 2020 as a pandemic-era experiment, but has since grown into a celebrated fixture on the regional arts scene. Their repertoire includes everything from 'Twelfth Night' to original monologues written by local playwrights, often infused with maritime humour and coastal dialect.

While the format has proven popular, it comes with logistical challenges. Performances are weather-dependent, and rehearsals require nimble adaptation to shifting tides and terrain. “We check the tide charts more than our scripts,” joked actor Melanie DuFour. “But it keeps us sharp — and soaked.”

Partnerships with Nova Scotia Parks and coastal conservancies have allowed the group to perform in ecologically sensitive areas without damaging fragile environments. Temporary stages are dismantled after each show, and audience sizes are capped to reduce impact.

The initiative has also become a magnet for emerging talent. Young actors from local universities and drama schools are eager to participate, drawn by the chance to perform Shakespeare in nontraditional venues. “It teaches you to project and adapt,” said theatre student Corey LeBlanc. “And it’s unforgettable.”

This season wraps with a moonlit performance of 'Macbeth' at Crystal Crescent Beach, where storm lanterns will line the dunes and audiences are encouraged to bring blankets and beach chairs. Tickets sold out within hours of announcement, and organizers are considering adding encore dates.

As the Coastal Stage Company prepares to winterize its operations and dream up next season’s offerings, McGregor reflects on the project’s spirit. “We’re just a group of storytellers meeting people where they are — on the rocks, under the stars, beside the sea. It’s theatre without walls, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”