Now playing at the York Theatre, East Van Panto : Little Red Riding Hood, brings laughs to your holiday entertainment. Presented by The Cultch and Theatre Replacement, East Van Panto is now in its 4th season and from the growing audiences, there’s sure to be many more years to follow.
In the long tradition of the British pantomime, the family friendly musical brings the Grimm fairy tale to the stage with East Van flavour. Hosted by the hipster East Side Holiday Claus, played with abandon by Andrew McNee (who also plays the Big Bad Wolf). The yellow-garbed, bearded jolly not-so-old elf led the way by educating the audience unfamiliar with ‘the rules’, when to cheer, boo, shout and interact with the players. The fun of a Panto is the interaction between cast and fans the more participation the better.
Writer Mark Chavez interweaves the tale of Little Red Riding Hood with our local Vancouver landmarks and personalities bringing familiarity to the tale and providing for plenty of the laughs. Veda Hille has twisted contemporary pop songs with lyrics that elevates the Panto’s comedic storytelling. Until December 4 Veda Hille performs with the Panto herself, before passing the musical duties to Benjamin Elliott.
Andrew McNee is not the only player to do double duty, most of the cast change hats, pants and dresses throughout the show to hysterical success. Rachel Aberle’s portrays Little Red with power, passion, innocence, and impeccable comic timing in nearly every scene.
Find the laughter while it lasts, East Van Panto: Little Red Riding Hood runs at the York Theatre until December 31st.