A T<p clTh ass="style1"> A THEATRICAL 'FIRST' FOR LUNENBURG'S STheOUTH SHORE PLAYERS</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div><strong>South Shore Players </strong>is proud to announce its <strong>first ever </strong>Nova Scotia-written ChristmasTherepantomime production of <strong>The Three Musketeers.</strong></div>
<div><strong><br />
</strong></div>
<div>Making its World Premiere at The Pearl Theatre in Lunenburg on Friday, November 27th, 2009, <strong>The Three Musketeers</strong> was inspired by Alexandre Dumas's classic novel, but there the similarity ends.  A number of crazy characters have been introduced by <strong>co-writers Jon Allen and Dave Brumwell </strong>to add some new spice to the plot.  Other well-loved characters, like Quasimodo, have nothing to do with the original plot; his only connection would appear to be that he too was French.  The Pearl production of this well-loved story is fast-moving and comical, with some great musical numbers to boot.</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Jon Allen and Dave Brumwell are both residents of Mahone Bay.  Allen is directing this year's original Christmas pantomime, while Brumwell is a featured actor, as well as being responsible for stage design and promotion.  Both Allen and Brumwell have written numerous plays, but this is their first collaboration on a Christmas pantomime.  Jon Allen appeared as an 'Ugly Sister' in the South Shore Players' very first Christmas pantomime production of Cinderella in 1997.</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>South Shore Players</strong>, founded in 1993, is a not-for-profit amateur theatre company based in Lunenburg.  Since its inception it has produced many theatrical productions, including 15 Christmas productions, 9 of which have been traditional British pantomimes (or pantos as they're called in the UK).  At the initial Christmas pantomime production of <strong>Cinderella</strong>, the audience had to be instructed on <em>panto etiquette</em>, which includes <em>shouting, cheering, booing, screaming and laughing.</em></div>
<div><em><br />
</em></div>
<div>Over the years, <strong>South Shore Players</strong> has seen many of its young actors and actresses go on to greater things.  Children as young as 7 and 8, as well as many retirees, regularly appear in their plays.</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Pantomimes have been a form of hilarious British theatre entertainment since the 16th century, blending the traditions of Italian <em>Commedia dell'Arte</em> and the British Music Hall.  Usually the Dame is played by a male actor and the Hero (Principal Boy) is played by a female.  Often other gender roles are swapped to add to the magic and intrigue of this form.</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>The plot is usually very simple - the Girl (dressed as a boy) is the son of a man (dressed as a woman) who will win the other girl (surprisingly dressed as a girl), with the assistance of another person or persons (possibly dressed in animal skins).</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>This formula has worked successfully for 300 years.  It's classic good versus evil, with a Hero, a Heroine, a Demon King and/or Queen, a Fairy Godmother, and many other weird characters thrown in.</div>
<p>&nbsp; </p>
</body>
</html>H, a Fairy Godmother, and many other weird characters wn