Knotted: Rapunzel's Story
December 20-22, 26-29, 2024 / January 3-5, 2025
Written by Crystal Weltzin
Music by Argel Monte de Ramos
Traditional British Panto at it’s rambunctious best! Sparkling, magical, family fun awaits when you join our wacky cast! Come and sing along with toe-tapping music, groan at corny jokes, cheer the good guys and boo the bad in another hilariously funny show with sparkling sets and colourful costumes. A perfect holiday treat for the whole family!
Call the Box Office to book your Season Tickets and save 20% now!
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.
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.
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
The Cast:
- Pixie Princess
- Demon Dreadful
- Rapunzel
- Princeton
- Buzz
- Braids
- Frau Fringe
- Herr Brusch
- Moe
- Larry
- Curly
The Crew:
After watching and acting in Traditional pantomimes since being a wee-child, Crystal loves writing the pantomime each year and working on the production in each and every rehearsal. You may have seen Crystal as Candice: How to Survive the Apocalypse without Really Trying (Capricorn Theatre Prod), Fairy Godmother: Cinderella (RCTC), Fluellen: Henry V (Pacific Theatre), Benvolio: Romeo and Juliet (Shadows and Dreams Theatre Co), or directing Something Borrowed, Everyone Blue. She would also like to thank her husband for his endless patience during this process, especially as she would giggle and reread the jokes she wrote. Enjoy the show!
Argel is a Filipino-Canadian singer/songwriter, actor, and an emerging playwright-producer based in Surrey on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish people, specifically the Kwantlen, Katzie, and Semiahmoo First Nations. He is a graduate of Capilano University’s Musical Theatre program and the Bachelor of Performing Arts program. Argel has been an active member of the Metro Vancouver theatre community and has been a part of a few productions such as Theatre Under The Stars’ MAMMA MIA! (Eddie), Fighting Chance Production’s Guys and Dolls (Nicely-Nicely Johnson), and Fabulist Theatre’s All Together Now. CBC Music has also recognized him as one of the TOP 10 Finalists of CBC Searchlight 2021 for his single “It Doesn’t Matter.”
This season, Stephanie has properly moved into the position of Technical Director, and Sound Designer, as well as continuing as Company Stage Manager. So is therefore far too busy building the sets, sourcing props, gathering various comedy noises, and wrangling the rest of the Stage Management team, various casts, and assorted production staff, to write a highly detailed bio, for whichever program is before you. Not even quite sure which month, or even day, it currently is. But, whenever you’re reading this, the show you’re about to see is incredibly hilarious. So sit back, relax (not that much!), and enjoy!
*And remember to breathe!*
Jodie is a Douglas Theatre graduate who spends most of her time at The Chorus Studio. This is where she vocal coaches and performs with choirs like YVRPOP, PACIFIC SOUL, and SPOTLIGHT. You may recognize her as Cinderella: Cinderella, (RCTC, Kerri Norris), Ashgirl: Ashgirl (Petras Thrasso and Kathleen Weiss), W/Singing Telegram/Jill: Love/Sick ( Tamara McCarthy), Snow White: Snow White (RCTC, Ellie King), Homeless Girl: Tracks (Denice Warkentin), and Gertrude McFuzz: Seussical Jr. Musical (Jacqueline Johnson). When this Busy Bee is offstage, her favourite activities are juggling while singing, catching up with her friends over a meal, and taking long strolls on piers. She wants to thank every person who has added spice to her life and cannot wait to hear the loudest cheer, boo, and laugh throughout the show!
For as long as Illya can remember she has loved performing and being on stage. She began taking dance classes when she was five years old and quickly became a part of her studio’s professional training program. She danced at her studio for 12 years and became an active member of her school’s Theatre Company. Through her school she had the opportunity to play roles like Anna in Frozen Jr, Belle in Beauty and the Beast Jr, and the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods Jr. Illya’s love for the performing arts expands past being on stage herself as she loves working with kids and even started her own musical theatre summer camp. This previous summer she was over the moon to have joined Shadows and Dreams Theatre Company’s production of As You Like It as Celia, and she is super excited to be jumping in this show as the Baron. She is thankful for the support from her family, friends, mentors, and everyone at RCTC!
Cayleigh Elcheshen is a student in New Westminster. She has been performing in pantomimes with RCTC her whole life and is excited to be playing the role of Alice! Some of her previous credits include Gretel in “Hansel & Gretel & The Strolling Players” (RCTC) and “Boy” in Henry V (Pacific Theatre). Cayleigh wants to thank her family for supporting her through this fun process. Lastly, she would like to thank you, the audience, for coming. Enjoy the show!
Stephen is a Hydrostatic Recertification Technician by day and theatre geek by night. As one of the founding producers of Shadows And Dreams Theatre Co, he can be found in the bandshell at Queen’s Park every summer showing off his Shakespeare. Recent roles include Jaques in As You Like It (S&D) Arthur, Sir Bors, and half the other characters in Spamalot (White Rock), and Wooster in Jeeves Intervenes (G7). When not on stage, he is often called upon as a Fight Choreographer, recently having worked on The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery (RCTC), Tale of Two Cities (Gallery7), and We Are The Body (Pacific Theatre). As always, he’d like to thank his family for their love and support.
Kerri is an Actor, Director, Costumer, Producer and sometime Dramaturg as well as being an Instructor at SAMC Theatre. She has an MFA in Acting from CalArts in Los Angeles and is the Artistic Director for The Royal Canadian Theatre Company. Recent Directing credits include The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery (RCTC), Jeeves Intervenes (Gallery 7), You Can’t Take It With You (SAMC Theatre) & Blithe Spirit (RCTC). Recently she appeared as Mrs. Welsh in Blue Stockings (SAMC Theatre) and is looking forward to a bit of a break in the spring. She is always grateful to her husband and daughters for their endless support and love.
After many years working in the ‘outside’ world, Mac became part of the Royal Canadian Theatre Company in its infancy. As Front of House Manager she loves greeting old friends and new, and raising funds through 50/50 which directly benefits our mentorship programme. She also works behind the scenes to bring you wonderful shows such as you are about to see tonight. So sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Crystal started as a volunteer marketing coordinator and now trains a Marketing assistant each summer. Many of the ideas for marketing, posters and more are a team effort and collaboration.
Crystal started as a volunteer marketing coordinator and now trains a Marketing assistant each summer. Many of the ideas for marketing, posters and more are a team effort and collaboration.
bio on the way!
- Peter Russell
- Jason Bunch
- Cayleigh Elcheshen
*Relaxed Performance: To make a more welcoming space for those with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, autism, anxiety or anything that may make seeing a live performance difficult, we offer our tickets at half price, the audience lights are dimmed instead of dark , music and sound are quieter and the doors to the theatre are open if you feel the need to leave the space at any time.
This is offered in partnership with the City of Surrey and the Massey Theatre Society. Thank you to our sponsors!
Cast:
Seth Schouten
Hope Evans
Rebecca Trotzuk
Arman Hassannia
Gabe Drake