Performers in X Fest in 2017 showed their rendition of The Jungle Book.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK -Project X Theatre
July 11, 2019 - 6:30 AM
KAMLOOPS - Project X Theatre company is about to kick-off the 14th annual X Fest.
This year, new directors have a unique take on old fairy tales and classic stories.
The shows will take place in Prince Charles Park daily from July 15 to August 3. Dusan Magdolen, the artistic producer for the theatre company, is eager to showcase the new talent.
“Both the directors this year, Tracey Power who’s directing Cinderella and Mika Laulainen, they’re both new to the company,” says Magdolen. “Obviously, they have the hugest impact on the vision of the show... it’s been exciting.”
One of the productions is Jack and the Beanstalk, which will follow the story of a bored boy in a small town who discovers that magic can change his life.
“Jack and the Beanstalk is a world premiere by Randi Edmundson, who’s been a long-time actor in a bunch of our shows and on puppet design, so she’s written a puppet version of Jack and the Beanstalk,” says Magdolen.
Cinderella is written by an award-winning scriptwriter, Mike Kenny.
“It’s sort of a modern take on it, and the directors had some fun. It has kind of a steampunk feel to it. The characters, especially the female ones, are a little bit stronger and they have their own points of view,” says Magdolen. “It’s a very theatrical, musical, fun version of the story. There’s a lot of comedy and the music is just awesome.”
Magdolen points out that actors playing the rats in Cinderella are also the band, with some playing as many as four instruments throughout the show.
Tickets go for $28 for adults, $23 for seniors, $13 for children aged two to 12, and $17 for ages 13 and up. Tickets can be bought online, at MovieMart, or at the door. Discounts are available for purchasing tickets to both shows, and there is an option for everyone to watch the live performances regardless of economic standing.
“We have ‘pay what you can’ matinees on the first Saturday and the final Saturday… so people can come in at the door and pay what they can until we’re sold out,” says Magdolen.
The 'pay what you can' show for Jack and the Beanstalk is on July 20, and August 3 for Cinderella.
On the final Friday, August 2, the cast and crew from both shows will compete in an improv battle as part of a fundraiser for the organization.
In addition to the daily shows, other programs will get kids involved in a writing contest, set tours, and re-readings.
You can check out the full schedule of events here.
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