A Cat, Pirates and Puddings?

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What is it about a pirate that can cause children and adults alike to relish a good fight? You would think with all the corporate pirating going on, we would have gotten our fill. That statement would be met with a resounding no. This holiday season the Pendragon Theatre serves its holiday goodies in the form of pirates, sword fights, a mermaid and the saving of a Christmas pudding.

For all those that ponder the lyrics to “We wish you a Merry Christmas” but never quite understand why someone would eat a figgy pudding let alone threaten to be the guest that won’t leave, the pudding is once again thrust into the limelight. This cake-like dessert is the cause of much a ruckus at the Pendragon Theatre.
This musical, “Christmas Cat and the Pudding Pirates” was writing by the British children’s performer Christopher Lillicrap and his wife Jeanette Ranger thus the pudding and other strictly British references. Clever and imaginative the Pendragon actors interact with the audience by enlisting us as part of the ship’s crew. Never fear, this isn’t dinner theatre so you are not required to leave your seats but just engage in a delightful journey for young and old.
The set is simply staged, one of the many things I enjoy about the Pendragon. The ship’s deck is outlined by strings of twinkle-lights. Unlike television this allows the audience to fill in the details. The cat and the cook ready the ship with song and dance.

My son is quick to point out when the pirates commandeer the ship and my daughter eagerly awaits the arrival of the mermaid. She is soon jarred out of her Disney-induced fantasy. Look out as ratlet-pirates swarm the stage lead by the fierce Pudding Pirate, Jolly Roger and how Christmas Cat helps save the day in a swash-buckling non-traditional holiday adventure.

In homage to my credit card company: Mermaid, cat, sword cookies hot chocolate or cider: about a dollar each; enjoying a live performance at Pendragon on Dec 27 or 28th, 7:00 p.m.: $20 for adults; $16 for seniors; under 17 are $10. Seeing Jason Brill as Myrtle the Mermaid: priceless.

For more information and reservations for this and other performances please contact the Pendragon Theatre at 891-1854 or via e-mail: pdragon@northnet.org.

photo credit: Dan Erdmann

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