The Lost Colony

Everything about The Lost Colony is incredible and the ticket price is shockingly low given the production level. I was left thoroughly impressed.My mother-in-law told me it has come a long way from when she first saw it in the 1950s. For the fact alone that this show has been in production for so long (now in its 87th year) blows my mind. She told me Andy Griffith got his start in this play. It's a whole experience, from the parking lot where you walk down a path in the woods (they have a golf cart for those who need assistance, which was great for my MIL) to the theater area. There are areas for refreshments and the outdoor and the amphitheater is the perfect setting for a production that has music, spectacle (now with illumination effects as well). They even have wine and beer in addition to popcorn/snacks. And the acting is good. I will admit that the casting for Native Americans was a little funny, as most of them were clearly not of this descent (and one of the leads had a strong Southern accent, LOL). Costumes are on point and the set is very creative.I loved my time here. It was the perfect summer night in early August.

I really enjoyed the show. The best thing about it is the unique outdoor venue. That elevated the experience. I loved some of the extra stage elements, like projecting onto the back drop, and the tall sailing ship behind the back drop. You gain a history lesson too! The actors costuming and make up were very good, and the cast was very talented. I would recommend it for any first time visitor (like my wife and I were).

How is it my local friend and Yelp OBX Collection lists I looked at (5-7 lists) did not mention immediately to me/have The Lost Colony listed is beyond me. Maybe these lists were older as this performance has changed a lot. There was no lighting effects before, no elderly speaker adding to the story, and the play was 30 min longer before. The lighting told parts of the story better and in shorter form than the play trying to act out more scenarios to reasonably explain the story.Souvenir items were low selection but play was so good that it isn't a matter at hand. They had offered more in the past such as quality jewelry and I suspect this will change for more souvenir and trinket offerings in the future.The play is outdoors. The choreography and sometimes repetitive motions in contrast to the lighting assemblies flowed as if you were watching "entertainment on a huge tv screen" but you knew it was live and it made you feel you could truly enter their world if but only amoment. It reminds me of a more family friendly version of local Gunnar Montana productions in Philadelphia but without acrobatics. Lost Colony has built up their reputation through community, geography, and history. They ultimately have a bigger audience they can more easily build up and tap into with generally where as Gunnar - while of course open to all- has an lgbt focus. If I was allowed to take pictures during the play, I would have been more than happy to share with you. This play makes OBX a worthy destination to travel to from multiple states away or even international borders and you don't just come here only for quality seafood and the beach.Even though maybe this was a long drawn out play and not necessarily on someone's bucket list earlier on, it is now an underdog of a play bound to reach higher levels of popularity.

Two stars because the actors did the best they possibly could with a sophomoric script devoid of story. The cast delivered an energetic performance and earned their applause, and I especially enjoyed the performances of this season's Queen Elizabeth and Eleanor Dare. The length of the play is about right, and Waterside Theatre is as magical a venue as you'll ever experience. Kids in the 7-11 age range will probably enjoy the way video is used in place of proper sets, but it's heavy-handed and overwhelms the acting. No question the show needed to be updated, especially in the way it portrayed the Algonquin people, but this script, with its bland wokeness, depicts both the indigenous people and the colonists as naive and smarmy. The poetry of Paul Green's original script has been replaced with an artless, incomprehensible mess that thumbs its nose at history.What used to be a spectacular pageant with 125 actors, singers, dancers and tech staff has been stripped to a few dozen actors. Most scenes lack a dramatic focus.But, for me, the most disappointing moments were (1) when I realized the Big Battle of old is now nothing but a lot of silly running around with glowy-eyed stick puppets, the purpose of which is mystifying--and not in a good way--and (2) the rushing through of the Final March, now not so final, because the final scene is now a melodramatic monologue by Governor White. The Lost Colony changes over the years, as it must, and I hope someday to see a more artistic, respectful, and rational version.

I've seen the show many times over the past 30 years and this newest version was awful. The actresses portraying the Queen and Eleanor Dare did a great job but the rest of the drama was terrible. The "Disney-fied" version was hard to follow, somehow added a Gypsy fire dancing scene into Elizabethan England, and left out much of the nuance of the story. The history and struggle of the colonists and the natives is glossed over.

What a great performance by all that both acted in it as well as supported the performances. There is a long history to this play that I would encourage everyone to read about. No pictures or videos were permitted during the performance but took one with the program and stage in the background, I hope that was okay . The doors open 30 minute early and they serve snacks and have beer and wine which was much needed to help fight the heat. There are individual seats which was great as I was thinking it might be bench seating. There is an intermission to load back up. The acting and singing was great and I was happy to read that all Native American roles are played by Native Americans. Definitely worth experiencing while in the area.

Spectacular performance, spectacular theatre! I've never seen an outdoor performance, and I'm certain that after seeing this one I would be disappointed with any other! The venue is beautiful. As soon as you arrive at the entrance, the area is beautiful. Huge trees, tons of parking. There was someone on a golf cart to drive guests to the theatre if they wish - if not, there is a little bit of a walk.There are vending machines, and concession stands with popcorn and even wine! My friend has a part in the Lost Colony, and watching her preform was honestly one of the coolest things ever! The actors and actresses were all great, and really did an amazing job. The lights, the sound, everything was just so great - I couldn't believe it! Once I found out how old this venue is, and how long this play has been going on, I was totally fascinated!Would recommend this to anyone, and looking forward to coming back.PS Wear bug spray, and bring some with you! It's extremely "buggy" because you are right on the water.

I've been coming to The Lost Colony since I was like four years old back in the 1970s. I've seen probably about a dozen since then. My parents took me...I take my kids. It's an OBX tradition. This new rendition they've concocted is not only confusing, but they've removed the most spectacular parts. Gone is the native Indian totem tree dance. In it's place is a gypsy dance. I guess I missed the chapter about gypsies being on board the Roanoke expedition. They also took out the dramatic fight scenes...both among Manteo and Wancheese, and also the Indians against the colonists. There were no flintlock gun shots, (just fake sound effects) - instead the colonist fought the Indians with torches. There was no hand to hand combat with long guns and tomahawks. Just weird animal puppets bouncing around the woods and "the great Elk". (didn't realize we hunted all the elk to extinction in the Carolinas).The character story of drunk 'Ol Tom was completely hallowed out. The intriguing drama of his falling in love with the Indian woman Agona and the humor that ensued was deleted from the script. His whole dramatic statement of "Oh Roanoke, you've made a man out of me!" Lost to the entire point of it...and the audience left confused.In the past this theater was typically sold out (especially on weekends) and every seat was taken - we went the Saturday just before the 4th and only a third of the seats were filled. I guess this play would be an entertaining alternative for a family activity, but it's truly not what it was.

The lost colony was/has been advertised as/should be a outdoor drama. It has been turned into a part comedy, part musical, part mysticism, and part special effects show. What was iconic and mentally provoking seams cheapand superficial. The human struggle and endeavor to persevere has beentaken away. What is left is a mere shell of what was an uplifting experience.I have seen this production at least once in every decade since the 60's. I have taken my children, nieces, nephews and now grandchildren. What made The Lost Colony exceptional was that it was something you could count on..... A very real triumph of the human spirit. Sadly..this pilgramigefor me will end unless the show returns to it's roots. I am sure there are many other long-time patrons who feel the same.

Great experience for our family visiting from across the country (with two young teens). Favorably impressed with performances and the outdoor theater and atmosphere. Recommend without any reservation.