So Long Sudbury

On December 29th.,  we will make our way to  Burlington Arts Centre. It's a five hundred-seat theatre. My grand-daughter Stephanie  is playing the starring role of Aladdin, in  pantomime of that name.
We have attended plays in high school , at Guelph University, at  LittleTheatre ( an old movie house) on Fergus High Street and the musical"Grease "in a Sudbury theatre where the seats were made for Hobbits. 
Stephanie has played many roles.. This one was a surprise.
The audition was for the role of Princess , Everyone who knows pantomime, knows the romantic lead  is the secondary role.  
Her eyes shone with excitement when she came home.
"Grannie, I got  the role of Aladdin."
Having played  pantomime, as a child, directed by her grandfather,  significance of the male role played by a female in British farce was not lost.
Before she could walk, Saturday Night Dance Party was her favourite T.V. show. She  swayed to the music from an upright kneeling position. 
When she could talk, she informed anyone who chose to
listen , she was going to be A STAR . 
As an adult student at Guelph, there was never any doubt drama would be a major. 
But life got in the way. 
Ten years  were invested  in a personal relationship which took her to live in Sudbury where his career was taking shape. 
Sudbury is not the best place to pursue a career in drama.
The relationship ended unexpectedly.
Dark days ensued. 
She came home  like a little bird with a broken wing. 
I knew it would heal. 
She could not imagine it.
It  was hard. But  slightly less so each day.
Then  came the successful audition  in Burlington.
And rehearsals.
 Each time  she  came home exhilarated. 
"I know I am exactly where I'm supposed to be " 
I know exactly  how that feels.
The play has  played three times . Each time  with an audience, the small company acquires finesse. Pantomime is a participatory process.
An  audience is key 
If she never does it again, she knows. .
She is A STAR     
A long way from little bird with a broken wing limping  home from Sudbury.