Tale of two famous female pirates touring Maritime stages

Theatre New Brunswick is bringing its production of “Heroine” back to the stage, six years after the pandemic cancelled its run just before opening night.

The story by Nova Scotia playwright Karen Bassett follows two of history’s most famed female pirates – Anne Bonny and Mary Read – who are awaiting execution in the 1700s.

“These women are fighting for agency,” says Bassett, who is also portraying the role of Mary Read on stage. “They’re fighting to be seen and heard and to be truly who they want to be without the tropes and limitations of femininity and masculinity.”

The story, which goes back and forth between comedy and drama, premiered at the Halifax Bus Stop Theatre about 15 years ago.

Theatre New Brunswick artistic and executive director Natasha MacLellan remembered the show when it first premiered, when developing TNB’s 2020 season.

“I knew the season I wanted, and ‘Heroine’ was definitely part of it,” says MacLellan.

The production was just days from beginning its TNB tour in March 2020 when pandemic closures first began. The rehearsal stage remained untouched for over a year.

“We just didn’t go back in,” says MacLellan. “About a year later we opened the theatre doors and the set was still there and there were coffee cups still on the steps where we had left them. It was a time capsule.”

MacLellan saw an opportunity to bring the production back to TNB in 2026.

“To see (the set) go back up again, it’s doing my heart a lot of good. But if anything goes wrong, I don’t see what I’ll do,” says MacLellan, with a laugh.

From scenes of wrestling to sword fighting, the production may be one of TNB’s most action packed with choregraphed physicality.

New Brunswick actor Mélanie LeBlanc was cast in the 2020 production and has returned for the 2026 revival, portraying Anne Bonny. LeBlanc says she was enthusiastic to return to the role and finally bring it to an audience.

“But I was also scared because I am six years older than I was back then,” says LeBlanc. “I was thinking can I still do what I was doing then? Really, it’s a gift. It’s great to be able to reopen a book that you thought you weren’t going to be able to finish.”

TNB’s Heroine will tour between March 5-22 to Fredericton, Florenceville-Bristol, Saint John, St. Stephen, Moncton, and Halifax.