Wedging her way into a blooming romance, the "Snow Queen" hopes to dismantle the love of a youthful couple. Why?
“They’re young and in love,” explains secretary of the Take A Bow board, Roxanne McCallum.
Performing the pantomime play ‘Snow Queen,’ local theatre group Take A Bow has been preparing for months as they inch closer to opening night on Dec. 8. Encouraging audience participation, viewers will cheer and boo as the story and characters develop on stage.
“It’s a format that’s really popular in Britain,” McCallum said. “It’s become a yearly tradition for us because they’re so much fun to put on.”
According to the Victoria and Albert Museum website, pantomime “has its roots in 'Commedia dell'Arte', a 16th-century Italian entertainment which used dance, music, tumbling, acrobatics and featured a cast of mischievous stock characters.”
McCallum said the old Cochrane Vision Theatre began exploring the world of pantomime shows, which has now become something Take A Bow continues to put on for the community.
Starting rehearsals in September, the cast has been busy meeting twice a week in preparation for the upcoming show.
According to McCallum, all 22 cast members volunteer and include a variety of ages.
“Some people with lots of acting experience and some people that are brand new to the theatre just trying to get out,” she said. “Everything we do is just because we love being in the theatre.”
McCallum said the cast is nervous but excited for the curtain to raise on opening night. She said sometimes the unexpected can happen but the cast has been working hard to put on a great show.
“Lots of excitement,” McCallum said. “You never know what can happen in theatre, but we’ve been working really hard and everybody’s super prepared.”
Believing in the power of local theatre, McCallum hopes they can provide a sense of community to the public.
She added the theatre has become a place where long lasting relationships are formed.
“I’ve made lots of friends out of this,” McCallum said. “We’ve had kids who have grown up being in our productions.”
Those who wish to attend the show and explore the world of pantomime can purchase tickets on the Take a Bow website at www.takeabow.ca.
“We’re just out here to have a good time and entertain each other,” McCallum added.
The “Snow Queen,” directed by Anita McDonald, opens Dec. 8 at 7 p.m at the Ranchehouse Theatre in Cochrane. Additional dates include Dec. 9, 15, and 16 at 7 p.m. and two matinee showings on Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 at 2 p.m.
