ATP’s Slipper is Pure Holiday Fun + Win Tickets

One of the things I enjoy most about the holiday season is seeing all the holiday plays! Alberta Theatre Projects’ latest show comes from Calgary’s very own Rebecca Northan, and her take on the classic fairytale of Cinderella set in modern-day Calgary. Now how could that not be a recipe for mirth and merriment?  Slipper: A Distincly Calgarian Cinderella Story is another chapter in the hilarious Northan repertoire filled with charm and wit about life in Calgary. The show is running until December 31^st at the Martha Cohen Theatre.

What I miss about Slipper is that Northan herself is not in the show, which is a departure from previous productions. Working with collaborators Bruce Horak and Christian Goutsis, the group puts a Calgary-twist on the British tradition of the holiday pantomime. A “panto” as it’s commonly known, features physical comedy, pop culture references, audience participation, cross-dressing actors, spoofs and other topical humour based loosely around a well-known fable or fairytale.

All the cool kids are at #YYCSlipper. So entertained! #whatdoesthefoxsay @ATPlive

— Irene Seto (@HeySeto) November 23, 2016

In the Calgary-version of Cinderella, we are introduced to Cindy, a young teen who needs to save her family home by entering the Stampede talent show. But an evil stepmother is set on stopping her and of course, a fairytale wouldn’t be complete without a prince of sorts as well (except he’s a time traveler from 1913!). In a recent Swerve feature, Northan refers to the show as “a love letter to Calgary and a modern fairy tale where the heroine isn’t a pushover.” This is evident from the get-go of the play and what I enjoy most in seeing strong female characters that everyone can relate to.

A shoutout to Hello Calgary 🎶 at #YYCSlipper. Yay! https://t.co/IX7k1jgyzF @ATPlive

— Irene Seto (@HeySeto) November 23, 2016

Now, get ready to bust your gut during Slipper. Some of the things that theatre-goers will get to look forward to will be antics and references to Calgary life like the Stampede, the Giant Blue Ring and more. I don’t want to give too much away but there’s lots of cheeky humour and pop culture references for all age groups. Even some things I didn’t understand like OTP and drinking tea (I had to Google these things after the show so I can keep up with the teens). The show even delves into gay issues, has a cross-dressing fairy godmother, and self-deprecatingly makes fun of its source story throughout the show.

The realities of wearing real glass slippers. Steamed up shoes and squished toes #YYCSlipper @ATPlive

— Irene Seto (@HeySeto) November 23, 2016

So are you ready to see Slipper for yourself? Tickets for the show are on sale now and would make a great Christmas gift (give the gift of a great arts experience!). Visit ATPLive.com or enter my contest below for the chance to win tickets.