The Theatre Arts Guild

The Theatre Arts Guild (TAG) of Halifax, Nova Scotia, is Canada's oldest continuously operated community theatre.

## History

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In 1931, the Little Theatre Movement and the Halifax Dramatic and Musical Club merged to found the TAG.[1] The first director was Sidney Culverwell Oland.[2]

A.A. Milne's The Dover Road was the group's first production in May 1931 at the Garrick Theatre (now the Neptune Theatre).[1]

During World War II, rather than plays, the focus was concert parties for the troops before their deployment overseas.[1]

TAG has had several homes including the Capitol Theatre, the former College Street School, and the gymnasiums of HMCS Scotian and St. Patrick's High School. In 1966, TAG purchased and renovated a former church hall at 6 Parkhill Road as a permanent home and named it "The Pond Playhouse."[1] A major expansion was begun in 2005.[3][4] The Pond Playhouse can accommodate up to 90 audience members.[5][6][7]

## Company

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TAG's mandate in its Act of Incorporation is "to promote the study, practice and knowledge of the dramatic and musical arts in the city of Halifax and the neighbourhood".[2] The company is entirely run by volunteers.[8][9]

TAG's season runs from September through July. Five shows are presented of all types: musicals, comedies, mysteries and dramas, plus an ever-popular Christmas pantomime. Other activities include workshops, poetry readings and an annual members' Variety Night.[1]

## Productions

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TAG's past productions have included: Marion Bridge (2022-2023 season),[10] Dracula - the Bloody Truth (2021-2022 season; originally scheduled for 2020 and postponed due to the pandemic),[11] Thought, Word, and Deed (2020‐2021 season),[12] The Ladies Foursome (2019‐2020 season),[13] and The Full Monty (2013-2014 season).[14][15]

## See also

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* Culture of the Halifax Regional Municipality

## References

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1. ^ a b c d e "About TAG" retrieved August 27, 2006
2. ^ a b "Oland, Sidney, b. 1886 - Archives Catalogue". findingaids.library.dal.ca. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
3. ^ "TAG Newsletter 2005-09" (PDF). tagtheatre.com. September 2005.
4. ^ "The Theatre Arts Guild is Celebrating its 80th Anniversary!" (PDF). tagtheatre.com.
5. ^ "Pond Playhouse". www.theatrens.ca. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
6. ^ Renault, Louise (September 8, 2017). "Find your inner butler with the Do Crew". CBC News.
7. ^ "TAG - FAQs". tagtheatre.com. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
8. ^ Renault, Louise (September 8, 2017). "Find your inner butler with the Do Crew". CBC News.
9. ^ "TAG - FAQs". tagtheatre.com. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
10. ^ "Halifax fall arts guide - Halifax Presents". Halifax Presents. 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
11. ^ "Seniors Stage Their Second Act". Retrieved 2024-01-13.
12. ^ Morin, Deborah (Aug 28, 2020). "All the world is a stage". The Stratford Beacon Herald.
13. ^ William, Ryan (2019-09-22). "Theatre review: The Ladies Foursome rarely lands the green - Halifax Presents". Halifax Presents. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
14. ^ Watson, Kate (June 19, 2014). "Acting out: A summer's worth of theatre". The Coast. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
15. ^ "List of Past Productions" (PDF). tagtheatre.com.

## External links

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* Official website
* The Archives of the Theatre Arts Guild are held at Dalhousie University
* Recorded memory of theatre life in Nova Scotia Project