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'Open Sesame!‘ The tenth anniversary of a tra- ditional English pan- tomime by the young peo- ple of Christ Church Anglican will reveal gold and treasures. bags of money, intrigue. treachery and hilarity. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves hits the stage Feb. 28 and March I. The stoxy. from Tufts of the Arabian Ali Baba pantomime marks 10th year - "WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE THIS MONTH” â€" By Ruth Patterson fiufiville This Month Stouffville may lack a proper theatre and still have to look enviously towards Uxbridge and its wonderful old Music Hall. but English pantomime is alive and well in this town. Since its first performance of Aladdin in I994, the Christ Church group has Nights. has'been adapted by church member Charlie Parker to include comedy. song, dance, satire and local, national and intema- tional humour. See us on 'uww.stouflvilleonline.com gone from strength to strength, producing ever more elaborate perforâ€" mances by ever larger casts. always at Latcham Hall, the closest thing to a theatre that this town can offer. loe Sweeney has some special effects tricks up his sleeve for the anniversary production and Nancy Feasby and Susan Fockler have creat- ed some marvellous Middle Eastern costumes. Audiences. will be deceived by the duplici- tous lahandar, Grand Vizier of Baghdad, who masquer- ades as a dedicated public servant while working to take over the city with his motley band of thieves of various nationalities. "And most of the time, these thieves are on strike, not unlike our own public serâ€" vants," said Peter Markle. who gleefully plays this evil role. Theatregoers will also meet Ali Baba's elaborate- *JA' Christ Church Youth Group will hold its 10th annual pantomime Feb. 28 and March 1 at Latcham Hall. Among the cast of Ali Baba are: back row, left to right: Amber Daniels, Laura Probst, Russell Patterson, Sara Peters, Jenn Tubb, Vanessa Fockler, Rachel Peters, Lara Feasby. Front row: Chad Wallace, Rachel Wallace, Rebecca Parry. ly dressed mother, played by- scriptwriter Charlie Parker. "The unusual tradi- tion of males playing female roles has its origins in theatrical history, when women were prohibited from appearing onstage," said Mr. Parker. "Nowadays, the role of the Dame is the most showy Q (LN, The young people of Christ Church Anglican, who have been rehearsing since September for the special anniversary pro- duction, will play all other See'AliBaba'onpageS part of traditional pan- tomime productions, and this years will be no differâ€" ent." " M FEBRUARY 2003