Metamorphoses, starring Walter Borden, is a spellbinding new adaptation of Ovid’s ancient tales from Halifax’s international award-winning 2b theatre company, co-presented with Prismatic Arts Festival, running from September 29th until October 4th at Prismatic 2026.
Metamorphoses is a story of radical transformation — a beautiful and articulate reminder of the constant changeability and mutability of the human condition. The 2,000 year old work is brought to new life in an intimate one-person show starring African Nova Scotian trailblazer and theatre giant, Walter Borden.
This new adaptation casts an intoxicating spell: blending together Ovid’s epic poem with real-life episodes from Walter Borden’s eight-plus decades of life, with incredible work by renowned local artists and designers: moving animatronic wonders from LoHiFi Productions’ Chris Little, live music performed by local songstress Hilary Adams and composed by Stewart Legere, and costuming by Robert Merritt Award-winning designer Diego Cavedon Dias. Metamorphoses is directed by 2b’s artistic director Christian Barry, who also takes on lighting design, and Jacob Sampson, 2b’s associate artistic director.
Walter Borden is a Black-Indigenous actor, poet, playwright, and teacher, born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia in 1942. He has been active in the civil rights movement throughout his career as a performer, author, and teacher. Borden has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the African Nova Scotia Music Association Music Heritage Award, the Portia White Prize, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award for his contribution to African-Canadian arts and culture. He was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2006, and in 2007 was named a Doctor of Civil Law by Saint Mary’s University. In 2026, he was awarded the Living Legend Award at the International Black Theatre Festival after a nomination from 2b theatre company, with support from Arbez Drama. 2b’s Jacob Sampson attended the festival in Winston Salem, North Carolina to witness Mr. Borden receive this prestigious award.
“Growing up wanting to work in theatre means that I heard the name ‘Walter Borden’ my entire life,” says Jacob Sampson. “He taught my family in grade school, and it is such an honour to have the opportunity to both work together as colleagues and to learn from him by watching him work. If you are a theatre fan or practicing artist, this to me is a masterclass in what we do.”
Metamorphoses is one of many exciting offerings taking place at Prismatic Arts Festival 2026. From September 26th to October 4th, this annual, multidisciplinary arts festival will showcase and celebrate innovative work by Indigenous artists and artists of colour from across Canada, right here in Halifax/K’jipuktuk.
Performances of Metamorphoses will take place from September 29th – Saturday, October 3rd at 7:30pm, and Sunday, October 4th at 2pm. Key dates include Student Night on September 30th, and Elders Honour Night on October 1st, both of which will include a post-show talkback with the artists. Tickets are on sale now.
Dates: September 29 – October 4, 2026
Location: The Bus Stop Theatre – 2203 Gottingen Street, Halifax NS
Learn more: 2btheatre.com/shows/metamorphoses
