Just in time for the holidays, Dancing Sky Theatre returns with an original prairie panto full of laughs in Baba and the Gift of the Kohkum Scarf in Meacham.

Ferguson grew up on holiday pantos and is excited to share the tradition with the Dancing Sky audience. (Photo Provided)

“For this story we wanted to explore a lesser-known piece of prairie history. About the welcome and support Indigenous people offered Ukrainian settlers when they came here,” says director Angus Ferguson. “They were often helped by the Indigenous people. They were showed how to keep warm, how to use medicinal plants; the Indigenous people shared their knowledge and looked after them. The Kohkum scarf has become a symbol of that cooperation.”

“They have to figure out how to have Christmas when they have nothing.”

That was the starting point for the story which was created collectively by the cast and crew. It’s a new chapter in Baba’s adventures and sees the return of auntie Sonya, a crowd favourite. In this tale we meet Kohkum as her and Baba’s friendship is put to the test by the Trickster.

“There are power outages, a fire, and everything goes wrong,” explains Ferguson. “They have to figure out how to have Christmas when they have nothing.”

Actor Joshua Beaudry happy to hit the road as Sonya in an all new panto. (Matt Olson)

Comedian & actor Cheyenna Sapp and actor Krystle Pederson join the team for their first panto. Elizabeth Nepjuk reprises her role as Baba and actor Joshua Beaudry is back as the lovable but clueless Auntie Sonya. He says the character is a joy to play.

“It’s so rewarding to get that feedback and know everyone is having just as much fun as we are.”

“Sonya has a very simple positive outlook on life. She’s very funny and has a curious nature about her,” Beaudry says. “She’s one of my favourite parts to play because the audience loves her. Last year there was so much laughter from the audience. It’s so rewarding to get that feedback and know everyone is having just as much fun as we are.”

Baba and the Gift of the Kokhum Scarf is one for the whole family with original music by Nathan Coppens, puppetry and plenty of laughs. Ferguson says it gets right down to the heart of the season.

“We always have the idea of Christmas being about gifts and opulence,” says Ferguson. “It’s really just about people being with each other, sharing time with the ones you love.”