East Van Panto: West Van Story returns with a local twist on a classic

With the holiday season in full swing, a Vancouver-based Romeo and Juliet love story continues its role as a beloved theatrical tradition.

The East Van Panto: West Van Story returns to the York Theatre in Vancouver until Jan. 11.

Presented by The Cultch and produced by Theatre Replacement, the West Van Story is based on two households divided between East and West Vancouver.

Maiko Yamamoto, the artistic director of Theater Replacement, says the idea originated in 2013 with artist James Long.

“We really wanted to create something that felt like it was for the local community here and involved an intergenerational audience,” Yamamoto says.

The Cultch reopened York Theatre in 2013, which had stayed empty for a while.

“We decided it would be a great show to reopen the York Theatre with,” Yamamoto says.

Panto, which is short for pantomime, is a tradition of holiday musical comedy that was popularized in England in the 19th century. It incorporates traditional fairytales mixed with music and contemporary references.

Taking a classical story or fairytale, hyper-localizing it, and using it as a structure appeals to audiences and reflects their own city back to them, Yamamoto says.

The play addresses struggles familiar to Vancouver audiences, such as the city’s real estate market, the challenges of living in the city, and discussions about class, among others.

The panto is a love story about meeting someone who, at first, may seem to hold different beliefs and come from a different background.

“It’s about realizing once you get to know them that they’re not quite as different as we think. So it’s about trying to bridge divides as well,” Yamamoto says.

The show is playful and joyful, and the songs selected for it also contribute to its success, Yamamoto says.

“Our music director and composer, Veda Hille, who’s done every single panto with us is a genius — and she’s done such a good job of selecting which songs we’re going to use and parodying them,” Yamamoto says.

Panto is also about celebrating the community and the city while having a good time during the holiday season, Yamamoto says.

“The world feels really kind of hard and wild right now, so it’s to bring some joy, to be able to come to an incredible live performance with your family members, with your friends … and see your city and yourself reflected on stage.”

The show involves many artists who run their own companies. Yamamoto says it’s a testament to those who work in independent theatre.

“It is an incredible opportunity for us to come together in this really large initiative that over 17,000 people see every year and to bring our skill sets to it.”

For more information, visit www.thecultch.com/event/east-van-panto.