Decades of design and build experience stand out as much as the actors on stage in St. LukeB次元官网网址檚 Players annual winter panto.

Described by fellow volunteer Beverly van Druten-Blais as having B次元官网网址渄esign and engineering experience beyond measure,B次元官网网址� one longtime couple is the driving force behind the set of Camelot as the ever-popular holiday presentation hits the stage this month.

B次元官网网址淚 come up with wild ideas and heB次元官网网址檚 the one who organizes all the builders here. HeB次元官网网址檚 brilliant at organizing everybody,B次元官网网址� said Helena Hitchcock, who has been building sets alongside her husband David since they met and married B次元官网网址� in the range of 50 years ago.

They brought their experience staging and managing pantos in Britain to Greater Victoria and the Saanich community theatre group in 2006.

B次元官网网址淔or every person who's on the stage thereB次元官网网址檚 twice that number behind,B次元官网网址� said David, listing set builders, painters, lighting and props.

Developed in England, a pantomime B次元官网网址� or panto B次元官网网址� is a genre of musical comedy primarily performed during the holiday season at the end of the year. St. LukeB次元官网网址檚 Players presents one each winter. This year, Camelot is on stage Dec. 12 through 30, with princes and princesses, witches and wizards, invisible men and teddy bears come to life and the audience cheers the good and boos the bad.

David loves creating the magical backdrop for the playful, energetic, over-exaggerated productions.

B次元官网网址淧antos are geared toward kids, I say primarily, but thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of humour and a lot of entertainment that adults really, really enjoy. ItB次元官网网址檚 good family entertainment,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot of work, but itB次元官网网址檚 very satisfying.B次元官网网址�

Planning started months ago, with the selection of a script, HelenaB次元官网网址檚 set design and choosing a director.

This year, thatB次元官网网址檚 Heather Lee.

B次元官网网址淎ll these people are so creative and IB次元官网网址檓 very grateful for them. It is absolutely a team sport,B次元官网网址� Lee said on-site as the final touches were added to the set.

Written by Ben Crocker, Camelot features Charming Prince Arthur, the beautiful Guinevere, the hilarious Sir Laughalot, the wise Merlin, and the delightful Connie Clatterbottom on a magical journey. They face the wicked witch Morgan le Fay and the not-so-vicious Valerin.

ItB次元官网网址檚 a generational cast of 15 to 20 people including several family sets, such as the trio of siblings and their father. The Lassam family has dad John playing Garlon the invisible Knight and in the position of assistant stage manager, Olivia as a villager and an evil sister, and Lucas and Kai are daring knights, with Kai doubling as youngest Merlin.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a magical panto,B次元官网网址� Lee said. B次元官网网址淥ur youngest cast member is five, I wonB次元官网网址檛 tell you how old our oldest cast member is.B次元官网网址�

St. LukeB次元官网网址檚 Players presents Camelot Dec. 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. with matinees at 2 p.m. Dec. 14, 15, 21, 22 and 26 through 30 at 3821 Cedar Hill Cross Rd.

Tickets range from $10 to $18, available at or at the door.

The hall seats about 130 people and many performances sell out, Dave said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 good to be working towards something B次元官网网址� thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of people who enjoy it, which is why we do it.

"The bottom line is youB次元官网网址檙e doing it for an audience.B次元官网网址�