Ready for your time in the spotlight? The Shawnigan Players invite theatre enthusiasts to get in the act as they hold auditions for their upcoming winter and spring season.
First, in keeping up with fine Pantomime tradition, this year the players will be presenting Santa in Space by Paul Reakes and directed by Laura Sirmul. It will be performed from Dec. 26 to 31.
For this panto, the evil alien Vileun The Vile has almost achieved his evil desire to rule the planets — all except Earth, which seems to have slipped the net. He decides to blackmail the governments of Earth into subservience by kidnapping the one man held dear by all the planet's children: Santa Claus! By his side for the dirty deed is the wicked astrologer Astra, and two alien henchmen, Null and Void; together they captured old St. Nick, taking him to the planet Varbos.
One question hangs in the balance: can Santa's friends rescue him and save the world in the nick of time? The tale's dashing hero Captain Dick Daring leads an expedition of would-be heroes and heroines into outer space to bring Santa home in time for Christmas. This story of their adventures has parts for youth actors with lines, as well as music and dancing.
Like the rock star the panto has become this year, it has an opening act: The Tales of Conall Cra Bhuidhe, a 10 minute piece written and directed by local creative Joshua Farquharson. It's a short retelling of the Scottish folktale Conall Cra Bhuidhe. After getting caught stealing the King of Lochlann’s horse, Conall must tell several tales to save his sons from certain death.
Auditions are also being held for a third show, which will hit the stage in the spring. Spring into acting with Mordred: A Tragedy by Henry Newbolt and directed by Breann Gallacher. The story shines a light on the dark times around King Arthur's death and the fall of Camelot. In this retelling, Mordred, Arthur’s illegitimate son who is typically considered the major villain of the story, is treated as sympathetic and complex. Mordred and Arthur clash as two opposing tragic figures, each with ideals of goodness and fatal personal flaws.
Auditions for all three plays will take place at The Clements Centre on Sept. 24 from 6:30 to 9 p.m., and at The Hub on Sept. 28 from 2 to 5 p.m. The panto also has roles for children and youth. No need to prepare, just come down to audition; and have fun.
Callbacks for Santa in Space and The Tales of Conall Cra Bhuidhe will be held inside the Co-op room at The Hub, on Oct. 1 from 6:30 to 9, and call backs for Mordred: A Tragedy will be held in the same spot on Oct. 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. For more information email [email protected].
