The Sooke Harbour Players Society have entertained the people of Sooke for 30 years, and, the tradition will continue with a unique take on the story of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
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“It’s a great production, done in pantomime-style, and before you think it involves miming, let me make it clear that it’s anything but,” said director Drew Kemp.
“Pantomime is a type of musical comedy designed as family entertainment … a sort of farcical revisiting of a traditional story in which the audience is encouraged to take part. They sing along with songs, they boo the villains and cheer for the heroes. It’s just a lot of fun.”
Kemp has a long history in the theatre directing a multitude of shows in his 30 years in the industry, as well as having taught drama and worked in pretty much every performing arts medium.
But this show is particularly dear to Kemp’s heart.
“We have about 40 cast members in this show and the level of talent is incredible. It’s particularly so exciting to be working with the 15 young people in the show who bring such talent, energy and enthusiasm to the production,” said Kemp.
“Even though they’re children, the quality of their work makes this a truly high-quality show that’s sure to entertain.”
And, given the range of experience that some of those actors bring to the Sooke stage, that high-quality comes as no surprise.
Miley Brown, who plays Snoozy Dwarf in Snow White has acted on television, in a movie and a couple of other plays, but finds this production to be “really cool.”
Dozy Dwarf, is played by Theo Stolth who has also been in other productions, including a stage version of “Oliver” and he finds the story line to be “funny and a lot of fun to play” and Kaidyn Robertson, who has played roles in four previous stage productions says the whole cast is “so nice and friendly.”
There are also some newcomers to the stage.
Violet Knowles plays a woodland creature and a guard and is having the time of her life as she discovers the joys of the stage.
Molly Sutherland plays another woodland creature (a possum) and Tennyson Brown is in the ensemble. At seven years of age, Tennyson is the youngest cast member but insists that he’s not nervous.
Finally, we have Toria Ayres. She plays Fang the dog and gets to bite the evil queen at the end of the play. A diminutive, and decidedly sweet little girl, she transformed instantly when asked to demonstrate her best growl … then giggled.
“These children and the adult cast members have come together to form a seamless cast that is sure to entertain. Now we just have to get the support of the community, without whose support this kind of theatre just isn’t possible,” said Kemp.
The show runs at the EMCS Community theatre from Nov. 17 to 25 and tickets are available at Shoppers Drug Mart (West Shore and Sooke) and at Stick in the Mud in Sooke.
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