The Ladysmith Little Theatre’s latest pantomime, Hickory Dickory Dock, is a topsy-turvy world where the men are in dresses, the women in pants, and the audience is left in stitches.
With its whimsical script and chock-full of punch-lines, Hickory Dickory Dock, directed by Gordon McInnis, (who also performs as the fairy queen Snowdrift) is suitable for all ages and is staged by all ages.
Its 16-member cast ranges from little William Harris (Grade 3) to Ladysmith Little Theatre founder Terry Whittaker, who returns to the stage after a period of absence.
Whittaker’s personable nature lends itself to his role of Willie Winkie, the village idiot and love interest of Dame Foxtrot. Whittaker, along with many of his co-actors, interacts with the audience during the panto.
Theatergoers should prepare themselves for a fun evening of boisterous hoots and hollers and be prepared to shout a ‘boo’ or two at the villains.
The large cast, which includes Malinda Schenker, Alyx Szasz-Nicholson, Shellie Trimble, Maureen Molyneaux and Mike Hamper, provides enough variety to keep things interesting during the panto’s two-hour running time.
A handful of musical numbers and dances performed by the younger members of the cast are an adorable contrast during the acts.
Hickory Dickory Dock tells the story of Dame Foxtrot (played by Ian Johnston), a penniless woman in possession of a grandfather clock that, unbeknownst to her, holds an evil black imp (played by Hamper) inside.
Foxtrot and her beautiful young daughter Mary (Keauna Miller) are being hounded by her greedy landlord, the baron (Malcolm Cunningham) for the rent money. He decides to steal the clock from her with the help of his cronies, Slap and Tickle (Trimble and Molyneaux)
Enter the evil wizard (played convincingly by Erik Tulley), who manages to free the black imp, and the mayhem ensues.
Mary is kidnapped and taken to Neverland where the wizard hopes to use the imp to find the Jewel of Miracles, guarded by King Neptune (Brett Trimble).
Along with the sprite fairy (Inge Cathers), Dame Foxtrot and her friends must venture to Neverland to rescue Mary and stop the wizard from destroying Neverland, while being sidetracked by the meddling of the baron and his wife (Bobbi Rowntree).
But like all great fairy tales, good triumphs over evil and everyone lives happily ever after.
Hickory Dickory Dock is a whirlwind romp through a world of fantasy and is sure to leave you feeling merry and bright this holiday season.
All tickets are $15 per person. The show runs until Dec. 31, when there will be a special New Year’s gala in addition to the show. Tickets for the gala are $40 per person and include a light buffet after the show.
Non-perishable items will be accepted at the theatre during the production for the Ladysmith Food Bank.
For more information, visit www.ladysmiththeatre.com or call the box office at 250-924-0658.
