2022-11-23

South Shore Players presents…

LUNENBURG – "It is a pantomime and in the British pantomime tradition it is a fun and lively play for all ages which includes popular selections and a lot of humour," director Colleen Naomi, of the South Shore Players upcoming production of, Puss in Boots.

This theatrical group has been entertaining audiences for more than 25 years showcasing the quality and wide range of musical and acting talent on the South Shore, while entertaining folks with some high-quality productions. This one will be no exception.

The production was written by Ben Crocker.

The play will be held over six days. Evening performances will be held, starting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10. Matinees, beginning at 2 p.m., will be held Dec. 4, 10 and 11.

Tickets may be purchased at SouthShorePlayers.ca or at Kinley's Drugs in Lunenburg or at the Pharmasave in Bridgewater. All performances will be held at the Central United Church Hall in Lunenburg.

Naomi said she likes this play for a couple of reasons.

"He (Crocker) allows changes to be made to the script, so we're allowed to make references to local places and pick our own music that we think will appeal to our audience," she said.

"And special for this production, we have, as well as popular music, we also have two original songs written by Hank Middleton that we will be including the show as well, that he specifically wrote for this play."

She also noted that, although a different version, it carries the same title as the very first pantomime she was ever involved in, back in 2000.

"It's kind of special to me that it kind of brings me back 22 years ago," said Naomi, who has been involved in productions for more than 30 years, including the last eight with the South Shore Players.

Puss in Boots is one of the oldest fairy tales in existence, originally appearing in Italy in the mid-16th century. It is a rags to riches tale about a clever cat that uses cunning and deceit to help his poor master win the hand of the princess.

When Jack, the youngest son of a miller receives his inheritance, a cat, he is none too impressed as his brothers Jasper and Jethro inherit the mill and all the miller's riches. But the feline is no ordinary cat!

Once the cat receives a magical pair of boots from the Good Fairy, Puss sets about changing his master's destiny to win the Princess's hand in marriage. Along the way Jack and Puss will have to outwit the Bad Fairy, his brothers and the Ogre; all whilst trying to impress Princess Esmeralda's parents, the King and Queen as the Marquis of Carabas.

The play is a very involved production, with 33 performers on stage and upwards of 50 others working behind the scenes. There will also a six-piece band that will be accompanying the singers.

She said work on this production started in January by selecting the script, then meeting with the music director to see what music they could pair with the play. Auditions were held in June and rehearsals began in September.

The show is a family-friendly show, but Naomi is recommending that attendees be seven years of age or older, because it is a two-hour production.

"It certainly has something for everyone. We have jokes geared for adults and jokes for the kids and the song and dance numbers are great fun for everybody."