Dinner Theatre in Cow Head

Dinner theatre is a real thing in Newfoundland, and very popular. We had read about it before we arrived, but unfortunately every place we went to that had one of these theatre events (and there were many places that had them) was closed. In one case it was open, but there wasn't enough of an audience so it was, in effect, closed.

A friend of a friend back home had passed on a recommendation to go to the theatre in Cow Head, on the western peninsula. In planning our route back east, we needed to find one night stopovers, and Cow Head actually fit the bill. I am not sure we could resist the urge to stay in a place called Cow Head either.

Not only that, but the theatre opened the day BEFORE we arrived instead of the usual day after. So we booked a room in the only hotel in town, and got tickets before they sold out. 

We had low hopes. But were pleasantly surprised.

The play was typical of Newfoundland dinner theatres in that is was locally written, a local story, and interspersed with music. In this case it was about the night the SS Ethie ran aground in a storm just south of Cow Head, in 1919. Miraculously everyone survived, but bits of the wreck can still be seen on the beach below today. 

ready for hungry theatregoers

what's left of the SS Ethie 103 years later

Interestingly, the story was suggested by a local man whose grandfather was Edward English, the captain of the SS Ethie. What makes that interesting is that Captain Edward English's grandson is Ed English, the owner of Quirpon Island and our host only a few days ago. 

Seven actors played all the parts, sang, and even served our food, which was also better than expectations.

Menu:

Dinner roll with molasses butter

Choice of cod with vegetables or beef stew under pastry

Choice of blueberry or rhubarb shortcake

Coffee or tea

Before entering the show you could buy local beer or a glass of wine in the foyer.

By 8:30pm it was all done and we walked across the street to our hotel, under a blazing sunset. 

Martin contemplating the fate of the SS Ethie

Cow Head sunset