WHEN: November 19, 2025 – January 11, 2026
Added Performances:
Thursday, January 8 at 7:00pm
Friday, January 9 at 7:00pm
Saturday, January 10 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
Sunday, January 11 at 2:00pm
Originally Scheduled Performance Times:
Wednesday-Saturday at 7:00pm
Tuesdays (December 2, 9, 23, & 30) at 7:00pm
Sundays (November 30, December 7, 14, & 21) at 7:00pm
Originally Scheduled Matinees:
November 23 & 29-30 at 2:00pm
December 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 23-24, 26-28, & 30-31 at 2:00pm
January 2-4 at 2:00pm
WHERE: York Theatre | 639 Commercial Drive
TICKETS:
Tickets from $59; On sale now at The Cultch’s Box Office, by phone at 604.251.1363, or online at www.thecultch.com
*Child tickets just $35 *(ages 5-16)
**Family Packs from $225 **(Family Pack includes 2 adult + 2 child tickets; while quantities last)
(Vancouver, B.C.) – East Van’s wackiest, joyfully subversive, and family-friendly holiday tradition is back – and now there’s even more time to enjoy it!
Due to overwhelming demand, The Cultch is thrilled to announce a holdover for Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto: West Van Story. Originally scheduled for November 19 to January 4, the hit production will now be held over for five additional performances at the York Theatre from Thursday, January 8 to Sunday, January 11, 2026.
When a freak atmospheric tsunami strands West Van influencer Holly, and her curling crew deep in the wilds of East Van, she’s ready for disaster – but not the romantic kind. Enter Joes: charming, striking, and a proud member of The East Van Pets… their sworn enemies!
As Holly battles the expectations of her West Van mega-developer motherfather, Boberta Rainy, she finds herself caught between two cities, two families, and one seriously unexpected crush. Will she follow her heart – and Joes – into a new world of dance battles, civic resistance, and love? Or will Boberta’s towers and renovictions squash everything in their path?
Extend your holiday season and come watch Holly and Joes try to Second-Narrows-Bridge their differences and sweep each other off their feet in this Romeo-and-Juliet-inspired romp like only East Van can deliver. Love, laughter, and low-income housing – now that’s a triple takeout. Hurry hard!
“…the most reliable theatrical offering in Vancouver’s cultural calendar.”
– Colin Thomas | ColinThomas.ca
“What’s so good about it? Everything.”
– Jo Ledingham | JoLedingham.ca
“Let East Van Panto: West Van Story bring joy to your holiday season with another slapstick satire and heartfelt homage to East Vancouver.”
– Jay Minter | On The List
“This Panto excels at chaotically grand musical numbers, undercut with biting satire, shameless kid-friendly silliness, and adult-friendly subversive politics.”
– Janet Smith | Stir Vancouver
“It’s a solid gold winner and everyone should see it!”
– John Lee | VancouverChristmasGuide.com
“…the funniest, sweetest, most charming and coherent entertainment this side of Burrard Inlet.”
– Jerry Wasserman | VancouverPlays.com
Credits for East Van Panto: West Van Story
Created & Produced by: Theatre Replacement
Presented by: The Cultch
Written by: Marcus Youssef with Pedro Chamale
Directed by: Chelsea Haberlin
Music by: Veda Hille
Starring: Ben Brown, Ivy Charles, Meaghan Chenosky, Dawn Petten, & Tom Pickett
Choreography by: Amanda Testini
Set & Props Design by: Shizuka Kai
Scenic Illustration by: Cindy Mochizuki
Costume Design by: Donnie Tejani
Lighting Design by: Sophie Tang
Sound Design by: Brad Danyluk
Musicians: Veda Hille & Jami Reimer on Keys (alternating nights) | Kate Johnson on Percussion
Stage Manager: Yvonne Yip
Assistant Stage Manager: Victoria Snashall
Apprentice Stage Manager: Caroline Tang
Technical Director: Daniel O’Shea
About Theatre Replacement:
TR’s work is grounded in the creation of original, experimental and intercultural works of performance. Since the company’s beginnings, we’ve held fast to an ethos of co-existence, and this idea still runs through everything we do. Our new works are built through highly collaborative processes, over extended working periods and foreground diverse artists. With an incredible roster of Associate and Resident Artists, as well as ongoing and new collaborators, we’ve built a body of work that forwards our aesthetic and conceptual interests in creating and sharing bold, contemporary performances. Our works tend to question the ways in which the performance and the audience interact. We look to answer larger questions we are asking in and of the world. As we continue to make new performances, our processes include collaborating and intersecting with artists and people who hold different perspectives, histories and identities — this is how we define our intercultural practice.
We’ve also designed programs that share what we do and how we do it with other artists through various opportunities for mentorship, residency, professional development and networking. We are invested in cultural exchange and international dialogue and actively seek out ways in which our work can be in conversation with the world through presentation opportunities, creative partnerships and strategic initiatives.
About The Cultch:
Since 1973, The Cultch (formally the Vancouver East Cultural Centre) has been one of Vancouver’s most diverse and innovative arts and cultural hubs. The organization operates three theatrical venues, a gallery, various ancillary spaces in the heart of East Vancouver, as well as digital programming through The Cultch Online that reaches international audiences. The Cultch offers dynamic contemporary programming in theatre, dance, music, and the visual arts, bringing world-class cultural presentations to thousands of citizens each year through its own programming and through providing rental opportunities for community users. Our purpose is to provide a venue for performance that serves a diverse and engaged public and provides space for artistic experimentation and development, building an audience for local companies and presenting cutting-edge national and international work.
Photo by Emily Cooper