Kaleidoscope Theatre returns with its second annual pantomime stage performance, Peter Pan, for the holiday season, Dec. 28, 29 and 30 at the McPherson Playhouse.
The Richmond Road-based theatre company introduced its first English style panto last year, Snow White, featuring the unique comic elements and story twists that make a panto what it is.
“Last year’s [Snow White panto] was so popular we had to turn a lot of actors away who were interested in being part of [this year’s show],” said Kaleidoscope’s artistic director Glanville said.
The guest director of that show, Stephen Andrew, returns as the writer-director-actor for Peter Pan. It’s a brand-new adaptation of the classic tale of the boy who never grew up.
Andrew will also take the stage as the menacing Capt. Hook. Jeffrey Stephen plays Peter Pan, CTV anchor Astrid Braunschmidt plays Tinkerbell, Cati Landry is Wendy and Scott Clarke is Dame Nana Nelly.
Kaleidoscope’s productions are youth focused and its pantos are filled with local references, entertaining for children and adults. There are magic mermaids, girl gangs and a Nana, played by Clarke, who is unlike any in previous Peter Pan versions.
The show also brings back last year’s hilarious Claremont secondary duo of Daniel Gallant and Stephen Hao who played Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum in Snow White (Andrew’s pantos borrowed the characters from Alice and Wonderland). This time, Andrew split Mr. Smee’s character into a duel role for Hao and Gallant.
Tickets to Peter Pan are $45 for adults and $25 for students and children, available online through the McPherson Playhouse website or at the box office. Showtimes are Dec. 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 30 at 2 p.m.
