Skip to content

A talking cat and evil plot makes for 'purr'-fect Maple Ridge panto

SPECC-tacular's 'Puss in Boots' runs Dec. 18-20 at the ACT in Maple Ridge

A mill cat named Puss who has the power to speak will be at the center of SPECC-tacular Productions upcoming holiday panto. 

'Puss in Boots' tells the story of Jack, who inherits the mill cat Puss, who, in turn, attempts to help Jack find fortune and love. 

Meanwhile, an ogre named Grimgrab has come up with an evil plan to marry a beautiful princess named Esmerelda, and has forced her family into debt, leaving the king and queen searching for a wealthy man to marry their daughter in order to keep their kingdom.

Than, a fairy named Pernicia gets Jack's bumbling brothers to kidnap Esmerelda to hopefully foil Grimgrab's evil plan. 

"Will Grimgrab’s evil plan to marry the lovely Princess Esmerelda be foiled? Will Jack find his fortune and his love? Will the king and queen find their rich son-in-law," asked Pauline De Silva with SPECC-tacular Productions Theatre Group, noting that the plot makes for ton of hilarity, hijinks, with just a little romance in the making.

"With song and dance and lots of comedy this family show is a must see this year," said De Silva.

Developed in England, a panto is a musical comedy stage production put on at Christmas time for the whole family.

The stories are usually taken from popular fairy tales.

Audience participation is a big part of a pantomime along with slapstick humour and the role reversal of characters, with the principal male role being played by a girl and the dame by a man.

Long-time SPECC-tacular member, Steve Bradley, will be playing the role of the queen, traditionally called the dame – a role he is quite comfortable in.

Bradley has been with the theatre group for the past 14 years, but took a break from acting for the last five years. This will be his fifth time playing the Dame for SPECC-tacular Productions.

“Playing the Dame is really enjoyable and fun for me. Having attended many pantomime in the U.K. when I was a child, instilled a love in me for panto and especially the role of the dame,” said Bradley, noting the history of the dame in panto goes back many years, and many great English comedians have played the dame in their working lives. 

According to British researcher Nick Cherryman in the Department of Sociology at the University of Warwick, the first pantomime dame, as currently recognized in the U.K., appeared in 1806 – although the pantomime itself dates back to the 16th century. 

Bradley enjoys the interaction the dame has with the audience. 

"It is a role I relish playing," he said.

"The dame is a funny, sometimes tongue in cheek role that has the ability to ad lib," he continued, noting the dame also needs the ability to be quick in their responses to the audience to make the audience laugh, and to be "over the top" in make up, presence and stage awareness.  

"I am a six foot five inch guy wearing a dress, garish make up, and a wig that adds another four inches to my height," he added. 

His role in 'Puss in Boots' is that of Queen Wendy, whom he describes as domineering, especially to her husband King Wally. However, he noted, she has a heart of gold underneath. 

The compliant King in 'Puss in Boots' is played by Dean Anderson and Mike Stusiak is playing Grimgrab, the villain of the story. Jennifer Striemer will be taking on the role of Jack, Karla Scribner is Princess Esmerelda, and Claire Aitchison is Puss in Boots, in her first show with the theatrical company.

In addition, Brandalyn Bartle, Quag McLean, Frankie McLean, Cherie Martens, Jimmy Riley, Brea Teasdale, and Dawn Lutz, will round out the talented cast.

SPECC-tacular Productions' traditional family panto 'Puss in Boots' will be at The ACT Arts Centre in Maple Ridge on Wednesday, Dec. 18, Thursday, Dec. 19, and Friday Dec. 20.  

Evening shows start at 7 p.m. with a 2 p.m. Friday matinee.

Tickets are $29 for adults and $25 for students and seniors and can be purchased at https://theactmapleridge.org/puss-in-boots or by calling 604-476-2787.

 

 



Colleen Flanagan

About the Author: Colleen Flanagan

I got my start with Black Press Media in 2003 as a photojournalist.
Read more