The Eagle Eye Theatre will be transformed into the inside of a genie's lamp - among other things - during Between Shifts Theatre's presentation of one of the Tales of the Arabian Nights, Aladdin.
A huge cast of 27 actors and singers, aged six to 60, will entertain and involve audiences in the pantomime for eight shows from Dec. 1 to 10. And audience members may find some of the settings and costumes familiar.
"We have five different scenes in our Aladdin, ranging from a Squamish street scene to the inside of a genie's lamp," said Paul Fletcher, who adapted the play. "And our costumes came from the recently cancelled sci-fi TV show Andromeda, and they are very cool."
The traditional version of the story inv-olves a poor boy living with his mother in China. Aladdin is hired by a rich man, given a magic ring and told to enter a cave and get a magic lamp. The story takes a twist when Aladdin takes the lamp for himself.
Fletcher said he "Squamified" the story by giving it a local setting and cleaning up some of the racist implications of the traditional version. Fletcher and director Dan Jarvis said they decided to put on a production of Aladdin because they wanted the biggest cast they could manage.
"I included every minor character I could find and think of," said Fletcher.
Between Shifts also wanted to tackle a pantomime, and Aladdin is one of the most popular "pantos" available, said Fletcher.
Pantomime, or just panto, is a British invention, which usually involves a variation on a well-known story or fairy tale, lots of corny jokes and slapstick, numerous conventional characters, especially the old dame, always played by a male, and lots of audience participation, which is actively encouraged by the cast.
"Panto is a great way for kids to get started in theatre," said Fletcher. "There's minimal risk, lots of fun, and first-hand exposure to some very talented adults."
The cast has been rehearsing at the Sea to Sky Hotel for their eight shows, which includes six evening performances at 8 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10, and two matinees Dec. 3 and 10 at 2 p.m.
Fletcher said that having free rehearsal space at the Sea to Sky has been invaluable not only for Between Shifts, but for all the other amateur theatre productions companies in town.
"It could be argued that amateur theatre wouldn't exist in Squamish without the support of the Sea to Sky Hotel," he said.
Tickets for Aladdin are available at Billie's Bouquet and at the door at a cost of $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students and $5 for kids under [email protected]
