It’s getting close to showtime for Cochrane Vision Theatre’s pantomime production of Beauty and the Beast and the community theatre group is hoping to provide a more engaging experience for the audience, said Lucy Mills, co-director of the pantomime set to hit the Cochrane RancheHouse stage Nov. 12.
“Because we are a community theatre and this is ultimately the community’s production, that’s what (pantomime) is all about,” Mills said.
The production will feature a number of elements designed to get the audience to not only watch but become a part of the show itself.
Parts of the audience will be singing against each other in a sort of vocal competition.
“We give them the chance to show their talent so they can compete and show how loud they can be.”
Select audience members may even get to a chance to come up on stage.
And members of the cast may jump right in to the audience itself.
“They may even be attacked by wolves and bears,” Mills said, laughing. “Obviously not real ones.”
Mills said because of the show’s nature and active audience engagement, children are encouraged to be lively at the show.
“The children don’t have to sit quiet like they would in a play.”
The co-director expressed the production fits well with the upcoming holiday season.
“This is at Christmas time, something that the whole community can be brought together with to enjoy. A time where it’s family-, friends-orientated.”
Vision Theatre’s multi-show run of Beauty and the Beast starts Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. Tickets can be bought at #2, 57 West Aarsby Rd., at Tony’s Western Wear (407 First St. West) or online at www.cochrane-vision-theatre.myshopify.com
