Poe and Lovecraft at the Newman Wine Vaults

A few years ago hubby and I went out on Halloween to see "The Cask of Amontillado" at the Newman Wine Vaults. I was just reading the wonderful WANL Weekly email newsletter (it's worth the price of your membership fee just to get this in your inbox every week), and saw that “The Cask of Amontillado” is going to be at the Newman Wine Vaults again throughout much of the summer. I can't recomend it enough. The place is the perfect setting and I remember the audible gasp and then complete silence at the end of the performance when we saw it. “The Cask of Amontillado” is, of course, Edgar Allan Poe’s story, "set in 19th century Italy; Montressor feels he has been insulted by his friend Fortunato and, during the madness of Carnival season, decides to take his revenge." Adapted by and directed by Dale Jarvis, it features Peter Ayers as Montressor and Chris Hibbs as Fortunato.

And as if that wasn't enough, this is a double performance with Dave Walsh performing “The Rats in the Walls" (by H.P. Lovecraft, I believe). "Tormented by the sounds of rats scurrying behind the walls of his ancestral estate of Exham Priory, the owner investigates and discovers a horrible secret deep in the crypt under the ancient castle." Isn't the Newman Wine Vaults the perfect place for such a performance? I can't wait to see this one and to take in “The Cask of Amontillado” again. They run every Sunday and Monday night at 8:30pm until August 20. Admission is $10 at the door. Arrive early, limited seating.

And while I'm on Poe and the Newman Wine Vaults, "Nevermore: The Life and Stories of Edgar Allan Poe" with storyteller Terry Rollins of North Carolina, will be performed by candlelight in the Newman Wine Vaults. This one is hosted by Dale Jarvis as well. "Since 1991, Terry has perpetuated his Southern family’s tradition of storytelling, performing from the Southern states to the Great Lakes to Ontario and Atlantic Canada. For the past two years, he’s spent part of the summer in Newfoundland." He will perform some of Poe's stories and recite tales from the life of Edgar Allan Poe. One night only! July 20. Show starts at 8pm; door opens at 7:30pm. As always, the seating is limited so better get your tickets early. They're $10. Advance tickets are available at Britannia Teas and Gifts, 199 Water Street, St. John’s, (709) 579-9288.