The beloved children’s tale of the Three Little Pigs has a new modern twist thanks to New West Theatre and former New West Theatre artistic director/ playwright Jeremy Mason.
The production, running Dec. 22-Jan. 2 in Sterndale Bennett Theatre is like a family reunion for the local semi-professional theatre company as the cast, crew and director have all worked together before.
“Jeremy and I go back at least 10 years,” said Three Little Pigs director Alice Nelson, who worked with Mason in Calgary based children’s theatre company Trickster Theatre.
“He’s an old friend so I’m really excited to work on this,” she said adding the story has been contemporized to incorporate modern issues.
“We see the wolf isn’t always a big bad wolf, but he’s a misunderstood wolf,” she said.
“And the three little pigs are a family who can’t afford to to keep their house because of the bad economy, so they have to work together to keep it,” she continued.
“So it is about a family overcoming a difficult situation,” she continued adding it is still very much a comedy with a lot of physical comedy and costumes.
“It’s really quite playful and fun,” she said adding she has worked with actors Kelly Malcolm and Ryan Reese before, but this is her first time working with the third actor Camille Pavlenko.
“Right from the first rehearsal I knew it was going to be so much fun because they are all such great improvisers,” she enthused.
Kelly Malcolm, who has performed in several New West Theatre for young adults shows including Munsch is excited to return for another New West production.
“It’s always so nice to be back,” said Malcolm, who is enjoying playing the big bad, “misunderstood” wolf.
“All three of us get to play the wolf and the pigs,” she said.
“I knew it was going to be a lot of fun, so I knew it would be a mistake to pass it up,” said Ryan Reese, who was in the New West production of “The Hudson’s Bay Epic” in October.
The cast is looking forward to the show.
“It really has been a blast. There is a lot of physical comedy and a lot of characters. The characters in the story and characters who are just in the adaptation,” Pavlenko enthused.
Malcolm is excited to work with the cast and the backstage crew.
“It’s been a real pleasure working with everyone,” Malcolm said.
“It doesn’t feel like work, though there is some,” Reese said.
A lot of improv went into creating the show.
“Some of it made it into the show,” Malcolm said.
“It is a different show every time,” Reese observed.
“There are a lots of different characters and lots of physicality,” said Reese, hoping for a good audience.
“It’s a great way to spend time with the family. So if you’re wracking your brain for Christmas presents, great some tickets to the show,” Malcolm advised.
“It will be a good time. It’s cold outside, so come in and see the show. Besides there’s only so many times you can see Star Wars,” Pavlenko chuckled.
Three Little Pigs runs in the Sterndale Bennett Theatre, at 1 and 3:30 pm., each day, Dec. 22-Jan. 2.
