THREE YOUNG scrubbers sing for thelr supper in the Deep Cove Stage productio

Ae

es
ath

he ER
NEWS photo Cindy Goodman

tington..The Christmas pantomime has become an annual tradition in Deep Cove.

Intimate setting offers friendly feel

“BEHIND YOU!”

By Martin Millerchip
Contributing Writer

It’s one of my earliest raemories
of the theatre.

400 or so falsetto voices
screaming themselves hoarse -with
me as dumb old Widow Twankey
with the deep voice and hairy legs
is stalked from behind by some-
body evil with a large moustache.

At. its best, pantomime is
capable of moulding a theatre full
of children into a single, one-
voiced entity by means of a few
cheap sight gags, two people in a
bad horse costume and the occa-
sional chorus.

At its worst, pantomime is a
collection of leadenly corny British
musical theatre (not Music Hall)

- fined

and which offer the opportunity
for ‘mass scenery chewing by
egomaniacs who should be con-
to guest appearances on
Ralph Benmergi’s Friday Night!
show,

I think Michael was four when |
took him to see his first pan-
tomime.

At intermission we weighed the
relative merits of Bruno Gerussi, a
funny cat and the possibility that
Dad might have more candy in his
pocket versus the number.of buses
in the Pacific Stagelines bus depot
that we could see from the mezza-
nine of the Q. E. Theatre.

Dick may have found his for-
tune in London eventually. We
went to count buses.

That Christmas the same shy
litle boy sat quite happily on the
floor of Hendry Hall amongst
children he didn’t know to watch

Players (NVCP) make glorious
fools of themselves for 80 minutes
or so and then cried because his
wicked father wouldn't take him
back to see the next performance.

It was a question of scale, |
think.

Hendry Hall is small, intimate,
friendly and children (adults too,
for that matter) feel part of the
action. .

This year’s show will continue
the friendly feel, promises director

See Children’s page 36

nm of Dick Whit-

weekends only.

Experience

. NEWS photo Cindy Goodman
THE UGLY sisters have a good-hair day. Kate Longre (left) and

Tori Calder are two of the huge cast involved in Theatrick’s
Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, at Presentation House for two

the Rolls Royce
of Music Boxes

traditions that are usually sexist North Vancouver Community

This Limited Edition Music Box
plays 15 1/2” copper-plated
disks over a 152 tooth tuning
bedplate which harmonizes to
create the finest, richest, fullest
sounding music box in the world. The cabinet, made of rare
exotic woods, represents the finest Italian marqueterie. The
musical movement and the disks are produced by the Porter
Music Box Company of Vermont, USA.

“Make a Music Box a Christmas Tradition”

VICTORIAN BAROQUE

When you receive our Christmas Appeal letter this year,
share what you can. Return your donation in the envelope
provided to The Salvation Army, #611-198 West Hastings St.,
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1H2. This Christmas, so many are
counting on you to remember...the envelope, please.

| SUPPORT THE
CHRISTMAS
¢. APPEAL

Park Royal North
926-4356