Having a short attention span and a wariness of foods prepared for large groups, I’ve never given much thought to dinner theatre as a way to spend an evening. That is, until I found myself attending a function with a group of my coworkers the night before my birthday.
After “ribbit, ribbitting” our way around the city on the Harbour Hopper, we are dropped off in front of the Halifax Feast’s entrance on Salter Street. We pass a long bar at which several of the actors, already in character, are sitting. Thick Cape Breton accents greet us as we’re led into the theatre and seated at tables of eight, positioned on two levels around the stage.
The premise of dinner theatre is pretty straightforward. The cast of the show serves the food, and between courses, they perform on stage. Tonight’s show is a send-up of the Idol franchise phenomenon, with the various contestants and judges taking care of tables and playing their parts.
A summer salad awaits us at our table places: mixed spring greens with plenty of veggies including slices of celery, shredded carrot and diced tomato. There’s lovely light vinaigrette in a serving dish, so the guest can pour it on once seated.
Small loaves of delicious, very fresh bread are in the centre of each table, on a cutting board with a knife, and dishes of soft butter sit waiting to be slathered on the bread.
Having to cut the bread for ourselves helps to set up the communal mood created by sitting in groups at large tables, and I believe the dynamic at the table is key to enjoying the show. If the whole table is relaxed and the conversation is flowing, it’s much easier to get into the spirit of the interactive experience. We, I might add, turn out to be very successful at getting into the show, thanks in no small part to the actor taking care of our table. Our server is “Millie,” a gum-snapping, tough-talking gym teacher played with conviction and hysterical humour by Allison Basha. Millie is quick on her feet, exchanging witty repartee word for word with those of us lobbing one-liners at her. She’s an awesome server too (which usually goes hand-in-hand with being in the acting business).
The Feast boasts nine choices of entrees, from vegetarian pasta to roast beef, with our table hitting most of them. The tender, well-seasoned roast beef with its rich, dark gravy is outstanding, as is the moist, tasty barbecued chicken. Sides consist of roasted potato and vegetables. Everyone at our table enjoys their food and I’m pleasantly surprised by how flavourful and well cooked everything is. It’s difficult to put out such food simultaneously for a large group; the Feast’s kitchen is to be commended for doing a bang-up job.
For dessert, we’re brought big slices of very good lemon meringue pie, and a choice of tea or coffee. The bar makes fabulous B-52’s, if you’re so inclined.
Along with being very funny indeed, the cast of CBI is a talented lot, as the singing proves. The musical skewers the real life cast of American Idol, down to the cranky British “Hyman Scowell.” Audience members cheer on their favourites and boo the judges. Cleverly written, superbly performed and great food too—I’m no theatre critic, but I know when I’m being entertained. Halifax Feast turned out to be the best way to kick off a birthday weekend ever.
Halifax Feast Dinner TheatreMaritime Mall at Salter St.420-1840Cape Breton Idle 2 shows nightly at 7pm, until August 19.Regular dinner/show is$38.75 +tax per person.(Group rates, combo Harbour Hopper tour/dinner available.)
Liz Feltham’s entertainment continues on the web: www.foodcritic.ca
This article appears in Jul 13-19, 2006.