By David F. Rooney
Ahoy, matey! You don’t have to talk like a pirate to get a real kick out of How I Became A Pirate but it probably helps.
The all-children cast of Flying Arrow Production’s performance of the popular kids’ book is amazingly good. They sing and dance their way through this one-hour play like real pros. And, of course, there’s plenty of piratical language.
I was frankly astonished when I dropped by the Performing Arts Centre to see the last dress rehearsal on Wednesday afternoon. I was pretty sure the cast and crew had been at it for months. But, no, said Artistic Director Anita Hallewas.
“This is a summer program and they’ve only been at it for two week,” she said.
The show is quite funny and contains more than a few pop culture references that any Baby Boomer will recognize. I won’t give them all away but does the phrase “three-hour tour” strike a chord in your memory?
I think the kids in the cast are presenting a show that will appeal to pirates of all ages. The costuming is terrific and the sets are very creative. Especially got a kick out of the little dory the pirates use to get from ship to shore and vice versa. I’d also like to put in a plug for Musical Director Marvin Dickau, who plays piano, flautist Cameron McTaggart and saxophonist Eric Brosch. They’re musical aptitude added another layer of class to this marvellous show.
Here’s the cast of this show: Thomas MacDonald as Jeremy Jacob, Grayson Noseworthy as Captain Braidbeard, Hailey Christie-Hoyle as Sharktooth and Mom, Roman McGrath-Beruschi as Seymour and Dad, Tristan Herle as Max the Pirate, Maya McDowell as the culinary Pierre the Pirate, Saelin Cadieux as Swill, Kaity Herle as Jilly Bean, Rebecca Grabinsky as Barnacle Betty, Josi Koerber as Scurvy Dog, Eric Brosch as Fearless Freckles, Cameron McTaggart as Fearless Flint, Maeve MacLeod as Ivy Sparrow, M Monica Parkin as Screw-Bird, Mimi Kramer as Scarlet-Rose, Freja Nielsen as Pirate Pearl, Rachel Grabinski as Styler and Madeleine Hobgood as Magpie.
Praise should also go to everyone who works behind the scenes on this play, especially Stage Manager Julia Dorrius and Designers Alica Dunkerson and Hollie Hamilton.
The curtain rises for this show, which consists of two 30-minute acts and a 15-minute intermission, on Thursday, July 16 at 6 pm and on Friday, July 17 at 10 am and again at 6 pm. The doors open 30 minutes before each performance.
Tickets are on sale at Big Mountain Kitchen and Linen on Mackenzie Avenue and cost $5 for children and $10 adults. That’s really not very much for a show that will really delight children and adults alike.
Here are some photos from the dress rehearsal:
