SPECC-tacular Productions is planning a trip to the magical world of Wonderland for the holiday season.
The Maple Ridge theatre group will be presenting “Alice in Wonderland A Musical Pantomime” based on the imagination of Lewis Carroll, the author of “Alice in Wonderland” and “Alice Through the Looking Glass”.
There is a major time theme to this year’s production, explained director Lynsey Teasdale. Alice must find a key to wind a clock so that The Right Royal Queen and King can rein over Wonderland – and not The Wrong Royal Queen and King.
“To enter this world really is to enter the world of pantomime,” said Christine Olorenshaw, with the theatrical group.
Although the pantomime dates all the way back to ancient Greece, and 16th century Italy, according to “The Historic England Blog”, it is the English who made the panto the popular holiday tradition it is today.
The first pantomime in England took place in 1717 and grew in popularity, wrote Emily McLean. When a legendary theatre manager – who was a critic of pantomimes because he thought they would threaten British institutions like Shakespeare – reluctantly agreed to put them on at his theatre, he limited them to the Christmas season so they wouldn’t interfere with other productions.
In the late 1800’s pantos became a popular Christmas outing for children in England, and has since evolved into a uniquely British tradition worldwide.
Pantomimes are usually based on fairy tales, classic literature, or nursery rhymes. The leading male role is played by a woman, and the most outlandish character is the Dame, or the hero’s mother, usually played by an man in drag. A panto always involves a battle of good against evil, and, there is lots of audience participation, reciting certain lines, or warning the characters of impending danger.
Music is based on well known songs, but with re-written lyrics, there is a lot of slapstick comedy for the children, and a lot of witty innuendos and satirical jokes meant to go over the heads of children for the benefit of the adults.
Teasdale said this year they will have two Dames in the production: The Right Royal Queen played by Steve Bradley and The Wrong Royal Queen being played by Dean Anderson.
And, she added, this year they will also have a new type of set with frames holding backdrops.
Songs have been taken from Lady Gaga, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, and the Bee Gees, along with some really well known musical numbers as well, she said.
Olorenshaw explained that one of the challenges to creating a great pantomime is finding a through-line, or a satisfying pantomimic story to hold all the fantastical material together.
So, they decided that Carroll gave them one rabbit, the White Rabbit, so why not add lots of rabbits to the tale, badly behaved rabbits.
“Pantomime villains are great fun to play and so having lots of pantomime villains just adds to the fun,” she added.
The Wrong Rabbits of Wonderland have been digging lots of rabbit holes to try and capture Alice. It is one of these holes that allows for another character to tumble into Wonderland – a principal boy, Harry, who falls in love with Alice and creates the central romance which is essential to a pantomime, said Olorenshaw.
“What makes our pantomime unique is the fact that we use amazing local talent and we make it our own with a selection of popular music and dance, ensuring a show that truly reflects the vibrant creativity of our community and resonates with a modern audience,” she said, adding the panto is fast moving, extremely funny, and great entertainment for the whole family.
Olorenshaw said the beauty of the pantomime is that unlike more serious dramatic productions, the panto embraces silliness, slapstick, and chaos.
“Performers get to be extravagant, cross-dress, and break the fourth wall, which is a rare and liberating creative outlet for actors and directors,” she said.
“Ultimately, pantomimes provide an opportunity to escape from the stresses of daily life, offering unadulterated joy, laughter, and a happy ending where good triumphs over evil,” said Olorenshaw.
Olorenshaw is inviting everyone to join them on their fantastical journey, in the laugh-out-loud slapstick comedy, to boo the bad guys, and cheer for the heroes.
“It’s a really great evening out with the family,”added Teasdale. “And it makes a great Christmas gift.”
Tickets are available for “Alice in Wonderland A Musical Pantomime” at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 9, and at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10.
The show is playing at The ACT Arts Centre, 11944 Haney Pl., Maple Ridge.
Tickets are $32 and $25 for students and seniors – plus taxes and service fees.
To purchase tickets go to: https://www.mapleridge.ca/parks-recreation/arts-theatre/act-performances.