This show was running Dec. 2021 & Jan. 2022
Written by Crystal Weltzin
Directed by Kerri Norris

A perfect holiday treat for the whole family! Cheer the good guys, boo the bad guys and laugh out loud at the silliness of the retelling of the classic story, featuring all your panto favourites. Add toe-tapping music, sparkling sets and costumes and there you have it.

Written by our own Crystal Weltzin this classic story is adapted to the well known standards of laughter and entertainment inherently required by a true PANTO…

Alice sits on a riverbank on a warm summer day, drowsily reading over her sister’s shoulder, when she catches sight of a White Rabbit in a waistcoat running by her. The White Rabbit pulls out a pocket watch, exclaims that he is late, and pops down a rabbit hole. Alice follows the White Rabbit down the hole and comes upon a great hallway lined with doors. She finds a small door that she opens using a key she discovers on a nearby table. Through the door, she sees a beautiful garden, and Alice begins to cry when she realizes she cannot fit through the door. She finds a bottle marked “DRINK ME” and downs the contents. She shrinks down to the right size to enter the door but cannot enter since she has left the key on the tabletop above her head. Alice discovers a cake marked “EAT ME” which causes her to grow to an inordinately large height. Still unable to enter the garden, Alice begins to cry again, and her giant tears form a pool at her feet. As she cries, Alice shrinks and falls into the pool of tears. The pool of tears becomes a sea, and as she treads water she meets a Mouse. The Mouse accompanies Alice to shore, where a number of animals stand gathered on a bank. After a “Caucus Race,” Alice scares the animals away with tales of her cat, Dinah, and finds herself alone again.
Alice meets the White Rabbit again, who mistakes her for a servant and sends her off to fetch his things. While in the White Rabbit’s house, Alice drinks an unmarked bottle of liquid and grows to the size of the room. The White Rabbit returns to his house, fuming at the now-giant Alice, but she swats him and his servants away with her giant hand. The animals outside try to get her out of the house by throwing rocks at her, which inexplicably transform into cakes when they land in the house. Alice eats one of the cakes, which causes her to shrink to a small size. She wanders off into the forest, where she meets a Caterpillar sitting on a mushroom and smoking a hookah (i.e., a water pipe). The Caterpillar and Alice get into an argument, but before the Caterpillar crawls away in disgust, he tells Alice that different parts of the mushroom will make her grow or shrink. Alice tastes a part of the mushroom, and her neck stretches above the trees. A pigeon sees her and attacks, deeming her a serpent hungry for pigeon eggs.
Hello and welcome!
Archive pages are here for information on past shows. We try to keep the discritpion, cast and production pictures here so our patrons can get an idea about past productions.
Since we have only worked on this feature in recent years, some historical data was lost in time. IF you have pictures or cast information on past shows… share it with us and we will try to update it..
  • Suitable for:

    ALL AGES!
    Parental Guidance may be laughed at.

  • Panto

    Audience likely to get involved!
    Not very serious, Super FUN,
    RISK of shouting & laughing
    Chance of belly-busting...
    likelihood of zany jokes...

  • Relaxed Performance*

    *Click the title to read more about "Relaxed Performances"

Audience Reactions:

Sinbad

Langley’s Ellie King, dubbed the queen of pantomime, is breathing her own wicked sense of humour and mirth into a production of Sinbad, The Pirate and The Dinosaur, which sets sail this week on a sea of hilarity.

Entertainment

Sinbad

Sparkling, magical, family fun awaits when we join Sinbad and his wacky crew in an hilarious adventure on the high seas. Complete with toe-tapping music, corny old jokes and an annoying Princess, this hilariously funny show is where you can say farewell to BC's favourite Dame, Alan Cedargreen as he hangs up his wooden spoon for good.

Theatre

Beauty and the Beast

True traditional British pantomime, including lots of music, corny jokes, special effects, spectacular costumes and all the special magic you’ve come to expect from the Christmas pantos of The Royal Canadian Theatre Company. There is always a happy ending – what more could you want?

Melanie Minty

Snow Queen

We enjoyed this so much!
  • Katharine Grace

Snow Queen

We saw (The Snow Queen) at Surrey Arts Centre and soooo good.
  • Katherine Grace

Snow Queen

The girls have been asking about this since last year’s performance. 😍
  • Heather Booth

Cinderella

It was a fantastic show!! I saw it twice! ~Mark Thornburn
 

Mark Thornburn

Cinderella

Great show! ~ GayleMarie Hamel

Cinderella

Amazing performances done by all. Cast and crew you all nailed it like always! Happy new years and may you all have a blessed 2024! ~ Mike Simpson

Cinderella

We went to see this last night, the relaxed performance. It was excellent! The Royal Canadian Theatre Company pantos just keep getting better and better. Thank you to everyone involved in the production and Merry Christmas to you all! ~ Sandra Juniper

Cinderella

This was a fantastic show for both adults and children. The cast was on cue with all of the dialog and activity on stage. Thoroughly enjoyed the sisters amnesia and anesthesia. Demon godfather definitely was in the role dealing with both the actors on stage as well as the distractions from the audience.
Kudos to all of the cast and support staff for this excellent entertainment. My granddaughters (10) and I enjoyed it immensely. ~ Jim Thompson

Farndale

Saw the show for a second time tonight. Loved it just as much as the first time! ~ Mark Thornburn

Farndale

A laugh a minute pay attention and try to keep up! Good Laugh is good medicine. ~ Katharine Grace

Farndale

This show was brilliant! My cheeks hurt from laughing! ~Sharon Wyatt Haasdyk

Mentorship Testimonial 1

Our children absolutely enjoyed every minute of their "Panto" experience. From the very beginning we were welcomed with open arms. We were impressed by the calibre of talent and professionalism by everyone involved. Our girls have learned so much about the process of putting on such a production, and it was truly wonderful to see their confidence blossoming and their eyes beaming while on stage. They have already stated they want to audition again next year and we are all looking forward to it!

- Sharon Haasdyk

Sharon Haasdyk
Proud Parent

Mentorship Testimonial 2

The difference I have seen in Riley has been amazing. From a boy who was constantly in trouble at school, just for being a bit too much of a boy to becoming a focused, self-controlled young man has been a remarkable change. His 4 years spent under RCTC's tutelage coupled with his enjoyment of performing on stage has motivated such change in his life. Thank you, thank you, thank you. What you do changes lives. Riley is the kind of kid who could have easily ended up on the street. Now he is making big plans for his future because of the confidence he now has. Thank you so much for everything you and your team does. 

-Shara Nixon

Shara Nixon
Proud Parent

Mentorship testimonial 3

I'd like to say how appreciative my family is of the Royal Canadian Theatre Company. My daughter Sharron has been a cast member for the past three years. Before my daughter auditioned for her first year, she lacked confidence and self worth. I can't thank the RCTC enough for the opportunity that was given to her. In the past three years her transition into being a confident young lady has been inspiring and I believe that the friendship and mentoring of the people in the RCTC has had a major role in this. The RCTC brings positive influence to our youth and I hope that they will continue to be able to do performances for years to come. You guys work miracles and I'll be forever appreciative of what you've done for Sharron.

- John and Hajnalka Szogi

John & Hajnalka Szogi
Proud Parents

Mentorship Testimonial 4

Aeron has grown up with this company as has her sister Cayleigh. Every year, at the end of summer break, the girls start asking When Panto is going to start. When they are going to see their "Panto Family" again. It is a joyous reunion with old friends full of hugs and laughter and new friends are brought into the fold with kindness and professionalism. I can truly say that this family has helped our girls grow into outgoing, confident, responsible and respectful young ladies. They have learned about commitment. And sometimes they've made mistakes. One year Aeron ruined the paint on a set piece and not by accident. She took responsibility for her actions with many tears and a great deal of trepidation. The production staff dealt with things fairly but also with compassion. She learned that her choices don't just affect her. And that being honest about things is a lot better and less scary than hiding what you've done. To have that kind of experience in a safe environment, with people who are willing to let you learn and make mistakes, without trying to beat you down, well that kind of atmosphere is hard to find.

- The Elcheshen Family, Stephen, Kerri, Aeron, & Cayleigh

The Elcheshen Family
Proud Family

There is a sense in the Royal Canadian Theatre Company that differences do not exist. Since my daughter Kai and I have joined the cast, we have learned tremendously from the many experienced actors, choreographers, costume designers, and crew. Inexperienced cast and crew members are given a stake in the show, taught and encouraged to take ownership. Many parents work side by side with their own children. Last year, there were at least 5 families working together on and offstage from a variety of cultures. Parents and children have the unique experience of learning from each other. And where else could you see an Indo-Canadian Blue Fairy, a Philippina leading lady, an elderly Englishman, Japanese, European Canadian cast & crew members, people with disabilities, people of diverse sexual orientations, musicians, actors, techs, working together in a learning environment where new members are mentored and often in the driver's seat of their new learning experiences. 

- Jeremy Glass

Jeremy Glass
Proud Parent

Cast:

The Crew:

Kerri is an Director, Actor, Costumer, Producer and sometime Dramaturg as well as being an Instructor at Trinity Western University. She has an MFA in Acting from CalArts in Los Angeles. Directing credits include Blithe Spirit (RCTC), The Snow Queen (TWU), Henry V, (Pacific Theatre – Stones Throw)), and Much Ado About Nothing (Shadows & Dreams). Kerri is the resident costumer for RCTC and is also one of the co-founders of Shadows & Dreams Theatre Company. In January she will be directing a collection of new plays at TWU.
Electrician by day and Assistant Stage Manager by night, Jason Bunch has become an important part of the Royal Canadian Theatre Company. Jason started by watching pantomimes, then helping backstage and is now completely immersed himself into the drama world thanks to his fiancée, Crystal Weltzin, and his now panto family. Jason is very excited for everyone to see the hard work he and the crew have put into building this production.

Well, it’s been quite the year! And while it feels like a century since we’ve seen people live in a social setting, we’re glad to be back! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

Geoff began his musical career as a wobble board tuner, but soon graduated to washtub bass enthusiast. In several years since that humble start he has moved, nay leapt, from instrument to instrument as though the floor of the orchestra pit were lava. Now, finding himself balanced precariously upon the keyboard, Geoff brings you tonight’s performance. Previous musical compositions include the catchy “Whoops, It’s A Snail!” and the stunningly original “Total Eclipse of the Spleen” from Not Up My Trousers, Vicar!
This is Sheila’s 29th season with Geoff and Ellie King. She is thrilled to be here again to help bring the magic of panto to you and your family. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Nigel began his technical career with a critically-acclaimed turn as ‘Tree’ and ‘Candy Cane’ in “Hansel and Gretel” at age five. More recently (and relevently), he has designed lights for dozens of productions around the Lower Mainland, including many for RCTC and for Peninsula Productions. He is one of the founding members of Shadows and Dreams Theatre Company. He is also on the board of Monster Theatre. In real life, Nigel is a computer programmer, and, oddly enough, does this for “fun”.
  • Jean ‘Mac’ Blackburn
  • Aeron Elcheshen
  • Cayleigh Elcheshen
  • Danny Haasdyk
  • Danny Haasdyk
  • Charlotte Haasdyk
  • Amanda Haggett
  • Tonia Jurbin
  • Wayne Lam
  • Amrit Kaur Rai
  • Jujhar Chahal
  • Mad Hatter shoes Donated by Staffbase
  • SAMC Theatre

Here we are again! It was a very weird last year not spending December in the theater. Those of you who have been here before have seen my daughters grow up on this stage. Panto is part of their regular routine. They can’t remember a year without Panto and the friendships that have lasted over the years. So when it was determined in the summer that Panto was a go, it was very exciting. Covid necessitated a different way of putting things together. We invited back any of our Panto regulars who were available (We certainly miss those who weren’t!) and filled in the gaps with some wonderful new faces. And now we’re together again with all of you. The cast, crew and I hope you have as much fun as we did, getting to play again. So boo the bad guys, cheer the good guys and let us know if there is anything behind us! Welcome back. We missed you so much!

Ever since I was a small child the tale of Alice in Wonderland has been one of my absolute favorites; from Alice’s tumble down that long rabbit hole to a world where a grinning Cheshire cat can dispense advice and a Mad Hatter hosts tea parties the story holds something magical for the imagination! After a brief hiatus from the stage in 2020 it is our great pleasure to bring to you the Royal Canadian Theatre Company’s version of “Alice” the Panto. Directed by Kerri Norris and returning to the stage with our beloved Panto Players, this is indeed a holiday treat and feast for the senses. The Royal Canadian Theatre Company is a not for profit registered Society and we would like to thank our many dedicated hard working volunteers, sponsors and you our audience without whom none of this would be possible. As always, I invite you to come out and play with us…now on with the show!

Production Pictures: