Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs are taking to the stage, transporting the English tradition of holiday pantomime to Powell River.
Dating back to the early 1800s, pantomime is a form of musical comedy full of song, silliness and audience participation.
Although pantomime originated in England, the theatrical art form has been a longstanding tradition in Powell River with non-profit society Theatre Now! running the all-ages show every winter for 20 years. Past productions include Cinderella and Panto at the OK Coral.
Director Brian Liddle said he likes this version of Snow White by English writer Ben Crocker, partly because there was an opportunity to set it in Powell River.
“We make reference to local areas,” he said, “but instead of Wildwood we have the Wild Woods.”
Actors in the Powell River production range in age from youngest player, Sabine Chapple, 6, and up. The youngest actors play dwarves, which Theatre Now! president Nicole Narbonne admitted are “pretty cute.”
“It was a big learning curve,” said Narbonne, “but they are getting that they can’t run around or stomp backstage.”
Narbonne said people sometimes confuse pantomime with the French art of miming with its silent clowns. However, she said there is no comparison, and pantomime is loud with a lot of audience participation, and in no way includes a clown pretending to be stuck in a glass box.
The theatre troupe have been hard at work since September, practicing for the play, learning lines and choreography that will be set to live music played by the Metro Gnomes with Al Dicken.
Narbonne herself has been rehearsing for her role as the Evil Queen Caligula. And she said everybody should have a chance to play the villain at least once in their lives.
“This play is funny,” said Narbonne. “People can come cheer for the fairies and Snow White, while booing for the Evil Queen.”
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves runs Fridays and Saturdays, December 11, 12, 18 and 19, at 7 pm and Sunday, December 13 and 20, at 1:30 pm in the Evergreen Theatre. Entry is by donation.
