arts
Nanaimo News Bulletin
www.nanaimobulletin.com
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 A11
and entertainment
Theatre that breaks the rules
Nanaimo Theatre Group stages Puss in Boots for annual Christmas pantomime
Local singer to appear on reality TV
JOSEF JACOBSON NEWS BULLETIN
JOSEF JACOBSON NEWS BULLETIN
The Nanaimo Theatre Group is capping off 2017 with its first-ever fairy tale musical. The local theatre company is staging a production of Puss in Boots by British playwright Ben Crocker for its annual Christmas pantomime. The play tells the story of a commoner and his talking cat attempting to save a princess from being married off to a wicked ogre. A pantomime, or ‘panto,’ is an over-the-top musical with exaggerated characters and bright costumes and typically includes drag. For example, the male protagonist might by played by a woman, while the queen is played by a man. The play marks the Nanaimo Theatre Group debut for stage director Judy Powers. Powers hails from Edmonton and directed children’s plays in Calgary but this is her first pantomime. “The panto is such a popular thing here in Nanaimo and on the Island. I think it’s because of the British influence,” she said. “We didn’t have pantos in Alberta. It’s interesting that it’s so popular and it’s fun and I see, I don’t want to say a ‘cult following,’ but there’s a following. The panto following.” Powers said she’s been leaning on her experience with children’s theatre during the production of Puss in Boots. She said the two forms are similar in their storytelling and teaching element and how their characters display the “essence” of humanity. She described the last two
Raymond Salgado is looking for his big break, and he might get it on national television. In January the local singer will appear in the new CTV program The Launch, which features 30 emerging artists from across Canada as they are mentored by industry professionals as they attempt to craft a hit song. According to CTV, 10,000 musicians applied to the program. Salgado, who has a background in music festival competition and musical theatre, said he saw a notice about the show online and decided to give it a shot. He said he’s never tried something like this before and he couldn’t believe it when he heard he made the cut. “I really thought it was my time to showcase my talent and what I’ve got. I’ve always loved performing and the joy of performing and I’ve always loved inspiring others to go for their dreams and this is what I wanted to do for a long time because music is a big part of what I do,” he said. “I’m hoping to just get the exposure but also just to inspire people, everyone who has a dream, to just keep going. Keep fighting for it.” Salgado said some filming already took place in the fall. He said the experience was “really scary” and while he didn’t quite know what to do or expect, he was grateful to be there. Continued on A12
JOSEF JACOBSON/THE NEWS BULLETIN
Jack, played by Tasha Ballantyne, discovers that her cat Puss, played Randy Humchitt, can talk. Rehearsals for Puss in Boots at the Bailey Studio were held Thursday; for video from rehearsals, visit www.nanaimobulletin.com. months of rehearsals and preparations as fun and challenging due to the number of characters, scenes, costume changes and technical effects. They’ve only been rehearsing in full costume for the past couple weeks and she’s impressed with how the show is coming together. “One day you’re at one place and the costumes and the sound, it helps the actors to create a whole character,” Powers said. “Once they have that
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costume on they walk differently. They move differently.” She added that an early audience was enthusiastic after sitting in for a sneak peek of one of the scenes. Audience participation and fourth-wall breaking are typical of pantomimes, said Powers, as is a general disregard for the rules of conventional theatre. “We can see the inside of the character more readily. So if someone’s falling in love, you actually get the love music,
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the happy dance, that kind of thing,” she said. “It’s a challenge for the actors because they have to play on many levels at one time. They have to really give to the playful atmosphere and be willing to take lots of risks.” Nanaimo Theatre Group’s production of Puss in Boots at Bailey Studio from Dec. 21 to 23 and 26 to 31 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 23, 26, 30 and 31 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets $16. arts@nanaimobulletin.com
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