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Written by Crystal Weltzin
Directed by Kerri Norris

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 old 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!

Tickets on sale NOW!

  • 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

Panto Testimonial Parent

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

Knotted 2024 – mark Thornburn

Fantastic show!! I had to come back to see it a second time! - Mark Thornburn

Show-Dates-B6

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Surrey Arts Centre

DEC 16 | 17 | 2307:30pm
DEC 17-18 & 24 & 2603:30 PM
DEC 22*06:30pm
  

Massey Theatre

DEC 307:30pm
DEC 312:00pm
JAN 1*2:00PM
  

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.

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!

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.

Rest in Peace. This year our wonderful musical director passed away. We will be dedicating this production to him for all the amazing work he did with us.

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!

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”.
  • Amanda Haggett
  • Peter Russell
  • Daryl Van Humbeck
  • James Walker

One of the things I love about Panto is tradition. We all have a lot of traditions especially around the holiday season and for many of you coming to Panto is one of yours. This year’s Panto feels very different. We talk a lot about why in our dedication to Geoff King, an integral part of our Panto family who will be greatly missed.

And it is a family. Theatre often feels like that. And this show, of all three in our season, always feels like coming home. Familiar faces and some new ones, good guys & bad guys, monsters & mayhem. And of course that little bit of magic. Maybe it’s the season, maybe it’s the fairytale, maybe it’s the love of making theatre or perhaps all three. So here we are again with one of my favourite fairy tales. Whether you hearken back to the original by Hans Christian Andersen or that now more famous version, with the song we all know, it’s ultimately a story about a family; the one you are born with and the one you create along the way. So from our Panto family to you: enjoy the show and let the magic begin!

Dear Audience;

 

It is that most wonderful time of the year once again, Panto time!  Performed especially at Christmas time Pantomime is a funny musical play based on traditional children’s stories.  With roots rich in history, Panto was first developed in England and is a participatory form of theatre in which the audience is encouraged and expected to sing along with certain parts of the music and shout out phrases to the performers.  Fast forwarding to current day performed throughout Christmas and New Year’s you will still find Panto performed here on the West Coast combining musical entertainment, slapstick, and topical humour buried within a familiar fairy tale. From our very first performance, an original script of “Cinderella” written by our Founding Artistic Director Ellie King over 15 years ago the Royal Canadian Theatre Company has been bringing a holiday tradition to audiences annually. This year we are very excited to present to you the Royal Canadian Theatre Company’s version of the Snow Queen, written by Crystal Weltzin and directed by Kerri Norris, featuring all original music by the late Geoff King. We are looking forward to entertaining and delighting you.

Feel like coming out to play with us? There are many ways that you can contribute; become a sponsor, member,  we would love to have you join our family. The Royal Canadian Theatre Company is a not for profit society dedicated to providing affordable quality all-inclusive entertainment to audiences and we would like to thank all of our sponsors and many dedicated volunteers who make it possible for us to bring live entertainment to the stage.  And now we invite you to enjoy our show.

 

To Geoff with all of our love… this one is for you.

Production Pictures: