By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
Six years after it was first performed for students and parents alike, the Martensville High School (MHS) choir is bringing back “Once Upon a Mattress” with three public performances scheduled for Friday to Sunday, Nov. 22-24.
This popular musical comedy, an adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy Tale “The Princess and the Pea,” was last brought to the stage by the MHS choir in 2018.
In the play, a princess must pass a test in order to marry a prince with a very choosy mother, who has previously rejected a dozen other candidates.
Isabelle Thomas plays the main character of Princess Winnifred, an unrefined girl from a marshland kingdom.
“She’s very outgoing and unique,” said Thomas. “I’ve had to act more outgoing than I probably am.”
Thomas, who also plays a minstrel in the production, says she enjoys the play for how different it is than other musicals she has appeared in.
“It’s more medieval times, and some of the songs are quite weird and funny,” she said.
Another student appearing in the play is Jack Strunk, who portrays Prince Dauntless, the would-be consort to Winnifred, as well as the knight Sir Harry.
Dauntless’ mother Queen Aggravain is the uncompromising matriarch who has rejected every other match for her son.
“And eventually, Sir Harry has to go and find one last princess for one last try, and he finds Princess Winnifred,” Jack said.
When asked what he enjoys about this play, Jack admits that he likes every part of it, adding that the acting and the songs are all fun.
The only challenge is playing a dual role. “It is a little bit challenging memorizing which character I’m playing” in a given scene, he said.
Incidentally, if you’re wondering why Dauntless’ father doesn’t object to his wife’s exacting standards, it’s because he can’t: the king is cursed to never speak until “a mouse devours a hawk,” which as you can guess figures into the story.
Chael Olson plays the mute king, and in spite of having to act as a mime, he says he enjoys his role.
“Honestly, the part I enjoy the most is just getting to be myself on stage, come into my own a little bit more and stick with some old friends while maybe making some new ones,” he said.
As noted earlier, there will be three public performances of “Once Upon A Mattress” this weekend, with two evening performances set for 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and an afternoon performance on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available at the MHS office in advance and cost $13 for adults and $10 for students.