Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto: Robin Hood is on stage at The Cultch York Theatre until January 5, 2025. The 12th Annual Panto brings back another season of the zany and colourful local character audiences have come to love.
In the tranquil surroundings of Trout Lake, Robin Hood and The Merry-Thems are enjoying the freedom of the land when the Sheriff and Prince slam the gates closed on the park requiring payment from all who use it. Shifting to Britannia Library to read up on their rights, the band of merry parkland creatures hatch a plan to take back the parks and community centre for the public.
Directed by Anita Rochon, and written by Jiv Parasram and Christine Quintana, the team behind last year’s East Van Panto: Beauty and the Beast, and, as always featuring the brilliant musical parodies written and performed by Veda Hille, with June Mirochnick on percussion, East Van Panto: Robin Hood once again leaves you rolling with laughter. Hille’s talents tackle music adaptations from Montel Jordan and Smashmouth to ELO, Billie Eillish and Chappell Roan and everything in between.
Filled with a treasure trove of references to local landmarks, previous Pantos and the city’s colourful public figures – even Canuck the Crow makes an appearance – the local easter eggs add to the enjoyment but knowledge of them is not required to enjoy the madcap adventures and brilliant music of the merry company of Panto pros.
Returning from last season, Jason Sakaki does double duty as this year’s antagonist, and Robin’s potential love interest. Steffanie Davis makes the switch from Belle to a beast of burden, Munish Sharma is Robin’s loyal sidekick, Little Jaan, and audience favourite Mark Chavez returns in multiple roles (and accents). Newcomer Hayley Sullivan makes her Panto debut as Robin Hood, and as usual Studio 78 students and the Panto Kids round out the band of merry castmates.
As with every Panto, audience participation is a must, from the shouts to the stage, the players coming into the audience or audience member being brought to the stage, it is a truly interactive evening o amusement. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re a returning fan, East Van Panto: Robin Hood is sure to leave you short of breath from laughter, and if you’re not careful the Merry-Thems might just steal your hearts too.
Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto: Robin Hood continues at The Cultch York Theatre, 639 Commercial Drive until January 5, 2025, visit thecultch.com for showtimes and tickets.