She’s BAAAAACK! Christmas Queen 4 – Secret Santa

 

Vancouver TheatreSports’ The Christmas Queen, in all her nasty glory is returning this holiday season with the latest instalment in the series, Christmas Queen 4 – Secret Santa, running from November 22 to December 23, Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 pm.There will also be two additional matinee performances on Sunday, December 10 and December 17 at 2 pm. All performances take place at The Improv Centre on Granville Island.

The previous three editions of Christmas Queen saw HRM (Her Royal Meanness) hilariously thwarted in her attempts to ruin Christmas. This year is no exception. Confusion and hijinks ensue when the Queen and Santa exchange bodies in a Freaky Friday-style magical sleight-of-hand. What happens to the Workshop’s Toy Factory with The Queen as Santa in charge? Will there be presents? Will everyone receive a lump of coal? How will the experience of inhabiting the Queen’s body affect Santa? Will he learn something about himself and her that will change Christmas forever?

The answers are revealed as VTSL’s ever-resourceful ensemble players take audience suggestions and turn them into 90 minutes of holiday hilarity. No two shows are ever the same thanks to the unpredictable nature of the suggestions and the creative talents of the players.

Christmas Queen 4 – Secret Santa is inspired by British Pantomime (Panto) – a unique theatrical form that itself developed from the much older Italian Commedia dell’arte. British Pantos are traditionally performed during the Christmas and New Year season and always include the character of the ‘Dame’ – a male actor performing an older female role in drag. Our Dame, er Queen, is no exception – in past performances she’s been brought to life by various ensemble members including Nathan Clark, Andrew Barber, Randy Schooley, Brian Anderson and Pearce Visser.

“I love that our audiences have made The Christmas Queen a holiday tradition. The show is just the right blend of naughty and nice to please every member of the family. This year’s instalment is sure to bring a big gift of laughter with some added twists and surprises for your stocking. It’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit,” comments VTSL Artistic Director Denise Jones.

Christmas Queen 4 – Secret Santa runs at the Improv Centre on Granville Island Wednesday through Saturday nights at 7:30 pm from November 22 through December 23 (with two additional matinee performances on Sunday, December 10 and 17 at 2 pm). More information and tickets are available at vtsl.com. The Neil Macrae Bar & Lounge tucked in the back of The Improv Centre, offers specialty cocktails to complement the production in addition to a full menu of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The Improv Centre is a fully-licensed facility and patrons are welcome to take their beverages into the theatre to enjoy during the show.

About Vancouver TheatreSports™
Voted the ‘#1 Improv Comedy Company’ at the prestigious ‘2017 Best of Vancouver Awards.’ Vancouver TheatreSports™ (VTSL), since its founding in 1980, has grown to become a well-respected international leader in the improv art form, entertaining more than 60,000 people per year through 12 shows a week, 52 weeks a year at its own theatre, The Improv Centre, located on Granville Island. An intimate space, The Improv Centre is a fully-licensed facility with its own Bar & Lounge over-looking False Creek Marina and VTSL patrons are welcome to take their beverages into the theatre to enjoy during the show. In addition, VTSL owns and operates The Improv Comedy Institute – an improv school offering classes from beginner through professional level conducts province-wide school tours and operates Improv for Business, a corporate training division with a diverse portfolio of blue-chip clients. Vancouver TheatreSports™ appreciates the on-going support of season sponsors: City of Vancouver, CMHC Granville Island, The Georgia Straight, and The Granville Island Hotel.