East Van Panto: Panto Come Home! takes the holiday fun online from December 17 to 27
The Cultch and Theatre Replacement take audiences on a trip down memory lane
Some familiar faces return for this year’s virtual rendition of East Van Panto. Photo by Emily Cooper
The Cultch and Theatre Replacement’s holiday show East Van Panto is keeping the tradition alive online this year, livestreaming from December 17 to 27. And some of its favourite stars from over the years are returning for the virtual fun.
In 2020’s Panto Come Home! Theatre Replacement’s artistic directors James Long and Maiko Yamamoto sneak into the York to find the sad, pyjama-clad Veda Hille parked at her piano. She’s moved into the theatre and has been spending her days trying to relive Panto memories of old. In an attempt to cheer her up they call up a bunch of Panto friends to sing and dance the East Van Panto hits. Things go sideways fast when the Phanto of the Panto swoops in. He’s been watching these things ever since Jack and the Beanstock opened the York eight years ago, and has a few choice ideas of his own.
The Cultch and Theatre Replacement, who have partnered since 2013 to bring audiences the East Van Panto, hope the thousands of patrons who have made the East Van Panto their must-see holiday tradition can take the same trip down memory lane with them—from the comfort of their living room. It’s a way to connect at a time when we’re socially distanced.
“For years now people have been asking us to revive old songs from the Panto,” says co-director Maiko Yamamoto. “And we’re going to do it this year! We’re going to do a Best-Of Panto, so you can hear all of your favourite songs!”
The all-star cast of Panto actors from the last eight years. join Dawn Petten (Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Wizard of Oz), Donna Soares (Cinderella), Amanda Sum (Pinocchio), Shawn Macdonald (Pinocchio), and Mark Chavez (writer of Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White) to belt out tunes like ‘The Cheese Song”, “Randolph the Average Reindeer”, and “Souvenirs”. Theatre Replacement’s Maiko Yamamoto and James Long, who are the original creators of East Van Panto, take the directing reins for the first time, putting their stamp on returning playwright Mark Chavez’s, remixed holiday extravaganza. They’re joined by three Studio 58 students and a gaggle of physically distanced Panto Kids.
Tickets and info here.
This post was sponsored by The Cultch