Whoever said Ottawa is boring clearly hasn’t discovered Ottawa Musicals’ Christmas pantomime. Hansel and Gretel Go West, now on stage at the Great Canadian Theatre Company until January 4, takes the familiar fairytale and gleefully tosses it into the hayloft. The result is a rollicking, laugh-out-loud family romp that could melt even the frostiest holiday humbug.
Loosely inspired by the Brothers Grimm tale of two siblings abandoned in the woods, this version trades dark forests for a farm somewhere west of Ottawa—think Carp-adjacent—with plenty of sparkle, sass, and silliness. It’s joyful, unapologetically absurd, and brimming with seasonal cheer.
And if the word pantomime conjures images of silent performers trapped behind invisible glass walls, forget it. This is the exact opposite. Expect singing, dancing, belly laughs—and yes, enthusiastic shouting. Audience participation isn’t just encouraged; it’s essential.
Written by Chad Connell and Shelley Simester, and directed and produced by Sarah and Matt Cassidy, the show kicks off in unforgettable fashion. Enter Widow Wady, galloping onstage atop a stuffed pony, clad in a strappy fuchsia gown, tasselled cowboy cuffs, and glittering boots. From the get-go, the audience is trained to holler “Yee-haw!” at her every appearance—and to boo mercilessly whenever the Witch or Earl show their faces.
It sounds funny. It is funny. But it’s even funnier when you realize Widow Wady is portrayed as a brawny, countertenor-singing, hairy-armpitted force of nature. At that point, you fully understand what kind of ride you’re on.
This Hansel and Gretel plays fast and loose with its source material—and that’s entirely the point. There’s a wicked witch (Shelley Simester) with a taste for small children; Hansel (Chad Connell) and Gretel (Emma Houlahan), sweetly innocent berry-pickers trying to keep their gin-loving mother supplied; Earl the farmhand (Geoff Whynot); a pint-sized detective known only as The Kid (scene-stealing Maggie Cassiday); a local sheriff (Laura Caswell); and, of course, a gingerbread house lurking deep in the woods.
The cast—seasoned theatre professionals with strong ties to the capital—are uniformly terrific. Special mention must go to nine-year-old Maggie Cassiday, whose confident, sharp performance makes it entirely believable that she could solve crimes between snack breaks.
The costumes are a visual delight. From the Witch’s dramatic feathered ruff to the Sheriff’s electric-blue cowboy boots and matching hat, every outfit amplifies the character and adds to the fun. They’re playful, detailed, and help pull the audience deeper into the story.
While the narrative follows a familiar path, it’s delightfully padded with kitsch, cleverly chosen familiar songs, energetic dance numbers choreographed by Jess Vandenberg, and just the right amount of country twang for a show set on a farm west of Ottawa. Add in a sprinkling of local references, and you’ve got plenty of moments that will make Ottawa audiences chuckle knowingly.
Ottawa Musicals’ Christmas pantomime deserves to become a must-see annual tradition. It’s interactive, inclusive, and genuinely generational—equally enchanting for young kids, eye-rolling teens, and grandparents alike. Everyone leaves reminded of what it feels like to be a kid at Christmas.
And if you need a little extra incentive? Don’t skip the intermission treats—adorably decorated and delicious cookies, featuring Widow Wady… blissfully stubble-free.
Tickets are selling fast. Get yours by visiting the GCTC website, Hansel and Gretel Go West — GCTC | Great Canadian Theatre Company, or call 613-236-9156.
If you miss it this year, do yourself a favour: ask Siri to set a reminder now. You won’t want to miss Ottawa Musicals’ Christmas pantomime in 2026.
Better still, follow Ottawa Musical on Facebook and Instagram to stay informed about upcoming shows.
