Dancing Sky Theatre makes room for all in Baba’s Magic Mitten

With so much uncertainty in the world right now, Dancing Sky Theatre is ushering in the holiday season with a celebration the people that helped build our province. Baba’s Magic Mitten is based on a Ukrainian fairy tale dating back to the 19th Century about a lost mitten that becomes a refuge for many different animals.

“We wanted to remind people of beauty through the magic and wonder of the story.”

“I wanted to do away with the cynicism and rebuild our panto from the ground up,” says director Angus Ferguson. “In this time where the war in Ukraine is all over the news, we wanted to remind people of beauty through the magic and wonder of the story.

“It’s part of a pivotal scene where someone’s heart changes dramatically because of the goodness of pierogies.”

Actors Dean Stockdale, Elizabeth Nepjuk and Joshua Beaudry (l-r) say this story is all about love and acceptance around the holidays. (Britainy Zapshalla)

This show was created collectively by the cast and crew and, because it’s rooted in Ukrainian culture, the team needed a quick primer. That’s where actor Elizabeth Nepjuk stepped in. As a child, she heard the tale of the mitten countless times and offered insight into the story and Ukrainian tradition.

“We talk about food a lot. It’s part of a pivotal scene where someone’s heart changes dramatically because of the goodness of pierogies,” says Nepjuk. “The wheat sheaf, the candle on the windowsill, the extra setting at the table for the dearly departed, adding these to our story is a great way to honour the immigrants and bring it all into the present.”

“It’s the most heartwarming show I’ve ever done.”

Chris Krug-Iron plays several characters in the show and says while the story is based in Ukrainian tradition, the themes are universal.

“It’s about being charitable in the face of adversity, looking out for one another,” he says. “It’s the most heartwarming show I’ve ever done.”

Baba’s Magic Mitten is one for the whole family with original music, puppetry, and plenty of laughs. Nepjuk says it’s responding to what the world needs right now by sending a little love and understanding into the world.

“The best Christmas stories are all about changing someone’s heart,” she says. “At Dancing Sky, we’re doing it through food, music, love and one of my favourite childhood stories.”