New show hits the stage

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

You won’t want to be late for the Youth Theatre Company’s Alice in Winterland production which is set to hit the stage Nov. 29 to Dec. 8 at the Hope Community Covenant Church. 

With this being the company’s first big show, the cast is in full swing with extra rehearsals and full read throughs to ensure the production is spot on.

Aria Nordstorm (12) who is performing the role of a narrator is excited to be a part of the Youth Theatre Group. 

“This is my first time,” she said. “(It’s been) great, I think it’s really fun.” 

Nordstrom is no stranger to the stage as she has performed in productions with Westmount School in the past. 

“The past week there have been a lot of rehearsals,” she said.

When quizzed about her favourite part of the show, Nordstrom was quite tight lipped but was able to share a bit. 

“I’m not gonna say much, but it’s about March Hare and the Mad Hatter in one of the middle scenes,” she said. “There’s a lot of fun, it’s a comedy and it’s kinda like a little bit dramatic.” 

Grade 11 student Rowan Farries (16) is a familiar face to the stage at Strathmore High School, where she did a stint in New Blood and other productions. Farries plays the Arctic Hare in the Alice in Winterland. 

Farries said she really enjoys the age dynamics within the company and is excited for Strathmore to see their play. 

“I’m having a lot of fun,” said Farries. “I like working with the adult performers.”

Farries was also pretty shy to divulge too much about the show, but she said she really enjoys the Mad Hatter tea party scene. As for costumes Farries said she is super excited about her hat that she gets to wear.

“I like the hat that I have, the bottom half of my outfit I’m not so excited about,” she laughed, as she said people should come prepared to have a lot of fun and some good laughs.

With Farries being in two performances around the same time, her schedule is very busy. Strathmore High School’s production of The Wizard of Oz begins shortly after this show ends, so keeping lines straight is bound to be a challenge for even veteran actors like Farries.

When asked to describe the show she said it’s, “Less wonderland, more winterland.” 

Farries said she is also eager to do more work with the Youth Theatre Company with hopefully another performance in the spring. 

Alice in Winterland is available nightly Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 6-7 at 7 p.m. The matinee performances are Nov. 30 to Dec. 1 and Dec. 7-8 at 2 p.m.