Shrouds and Stays: The Ballad of Jane Wright
Date: May 23
7:00 pm
- 8:30 pm
Where: Theatre
A Live Performance by Catherine Wright
A family, a ship, a monkey, a sugar bowl, a storm…
It is 1890. Jane sets off from England on a perilous journey aboard the merchant sailing ship Bay of Panama. Her husband is captain, and she is the only woman on board. 130 years later, Jane’s great-great granddaughter Catherine discovers her story and is compelled to share it through narration, original songs, recitations and movement.
Here is a story of seafaring days gone by, of family ties, love and loss, forces of nature, inner courage and continuum - themes which will resonate in this province.
Cost: $20 plus HST. 10% Discount for Rooms members. Tickets are available online or by calling (709) 757-8090.
Thanks to ArtsNL for their support of this project.
Performer Bio:
Catherine Wright is a storyteller, multi-arts practitioner and arts educator who divides her time between St John’s and Port Kirwan, Newfoundland.
A versatile performer who brings warmth and passion to her storytelling, Catherine has presented a broad range of stories (folk and fairy tales, personal narratives, ballads, hybrid shows) at festivals, schools, theatres, galleries, outdoor venues and online, in her over 30 years of performance experience. Her background in dance is apparent in her storytelling style, and she often interweaves songs and recitations into many of her performances.
Shrouds & Stays: The Ballad of Jane Wright is Catherine’s newest show, a true shipwreck story of family, love, loss and continuum. Funded by ArtsNL, the show was launched in 2024 with further performances scheduled in rural community venues in Newfoundland and Cornwall, UK in 2025.
Catherine is past president of St John’s Storytelling and current provincial representative for Storytellers of Canada (SC-CC).
Events & Programs
Save The Date – Online Registration Opening Soon!
Registration Dates:
- Rooms Members: Tuesday, March 18 at 10:00 AM
- Non-Members: Thursday, March 20 at 10:00 AM
A “Get Tickets” button will appear on this page when registration opens. Online registration only.
Once you've completed your online registration, please download the Registration Form and submit it to RoomsOrders@therooms.ca to complete your registration.
Adventures Await!
Get ready for an unforgettable summer! The Rooms will be offering exciting 5-day camps for 8 weeks, filled with creativity, exploration, and fun.
Who Can Attend?
Camp K-3: Open to campers who have completed Kindergarten to Grade 3 by June 2025.
Camp 4-6: Open to campers who have completed Grades 4 to 6 by June 2025.
(No Exceptions)
What to Expect?
Each week, campers will dive into inspiring exhibitions and collections, with activities focused on creative expression through engaging daily themes.
Camp Details!
Cost: $265 Per Week + HST.
10% Discount for Rooms Members (Member Number Required)
Schedule:
Camp Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Drop-off: Between 8:45 AM – 9:00 AM
Pick-up: Between 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Mark your calendars and get ready for an amazing summer at The Rooms!
Auks, Wolves and Whales
What fills the void when a species is no more? Legends, folklore, and history worth learning from. Come listen to the stories of the Great Auk, the Newfoundland Wolf, and Endangered Whales as they echo across the ages through their body and bones. Commiserate with the extinct, heed the calls of the endangered, hold ossified bones, and see how artists transform tragedy into hope for a sustainable future.
Join us each day for an interpretive guided tour in one of our galleries. From the story of the Cod fishery to visiting a current art exhibition to a Family Rainbow tour, there is something for everyone.
Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.
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Get to know the people behind the scenes at The Rooms! Each Wednesday this summer, we're shining a spotlight on special collections we care for and the staff who work with them.
From archaeology and archives to natural history and conservation, you'll hear firsthand stories about what it's like to work with Newfoundland and Labrador’s most fascinating collections.
Each week features a new topic and a new face—come with questions and curiosity!
Summer Schedule:
- July 2- Miki Lee and Brittany Mitchell
- July 9 – Robyn Lacy
- July 16 – Ann Devlin
- July 23 – Lori Temple
- August 6 - Joan Mowbray
- August 13 – Elayne Greeley
- August 20 – Elizabeth Fewer
- August 27 – Nathalie Djan-Chekar
Grounding: Through the Senses
This sensory tour of the art gallery exhibition 'Grounding' is accessible through touchable objects, audio descriptions, scents, and soundscapes. Participants can experience the exhibition’s themes and artworks in a way that emphasizes accessibility, inclusion, and meaningful engagement with Newfoundland and Labrador’s culture.
Join us each day for an interpretive guided tour in one of our galleries. From the story of the Cod fishery to visiting a current art exhibition to a Family Rainbow tour, there is something for everyone.
Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.
Fishing for Cod
For centuries, fishing for cod has played a vital role in the lives of the peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador. Generations of fishing men, women and children made use of the land and sea to sustain them and spent their lives “making fish”.
Join us each day for an interpretive guided tour in one of our galleries. From the story of the Cod fishery to visiting a current art exhibition to a Family Rainbow tour, there is something for everyone.
Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.