THEATRE PREVIEW

OCTOBER 2026 | Volume 268

 

The Cultch Presents Theatre Replacement's East Van Panto: Hercules 

East Van's wackiest, joyfully subversive, and family-friendly tradition returns for its 14th year! The Cultch is excited to present Theatre Replacement's East Van Panto: Hercules at the York Theatre from Wednesday, November 18, 2026 to Sunday, January 10, 2027.

This year's production run was originally scheduled to conclude on January 3, but because East Van Panto tickets have been selling at record levels, The Cultch and Theatre Replacement have decided to extend the fun until January 10, 2027.

Deep under the streets of Vancouver, Hades — God of the No-Fun-Derworld — is digging his way to power with his newest megaproject: the Arbutus Subway System — also known as the A.S.S. Expansion! Wanting to be adored by humankind and determined to squash protests from woke East Van, Hades will stop at nothing to claim the city as his own.

Standing in his way is his nephew and reluctant hero, Hercules. Raised by Hera — Goddess of East Van, local activist and undisputed ruler of Science World — Hercules could save the day... if he weren't too busy tackling his Labours while chiselling away at his own statuesque physique! When Hades schemes to seize Science World and turn it into a gleaming shrine to outdated masculinity, Herc is put to the ultimate test. Can he overcome his personal trials before Hades flexes his way to total domination?

"We're so grateful to be back with this brilliant creative team for a second year!" says Theatre Replacement's Artistic Director, Maiko Yamamoto. "Get ready for some divine chaos with Hercules in East Van. At its heart, this is a story about finding your way as you grow up, and imagining strength as something generous, vulnerable, and rooted in where you come from. We can't wait to welcome audiences back to the York Theatre for Panto number 14!"

Credits for East Van Panto: Hercules

Created & produced by:  Theatre Replacement
Presented by:  The Cultch
Written by:  Pedro Chamale with Marcus Youssef
Director:  Chelsea Haberlin
Composer/Musical Director:  Veda Hille
Starring:  Jacob Woike, Jason Sakaki, Meaghan Chenosky, Raugi Yu, and Sara Vickruck
Studio 58 Chorus:  Keely Coleman, Payton Gowdar, and Daniel Marte
Choreographer:  Amanda Testini
Assistant Choreographer:  Tresha Thamilchelvan 
Assistant Director:  Mayara Nobre
Assistant Musical Director:  Jami Reimer 
Set & Props Design:  Shizuka Kai
Costume Design:  Stephanie Kong
Lighting Design:  Sophie Tang
Sound Design:  Brad Danyluk
Scenic Illustrator:  Cindy Mochizuki
Musicians:  Veda Hille and Jami Reimer on Keys (alternating); Kate Johnson on Percussion
Stage Manager:  Yvonne Yip
Assistant Stage Manager:  Victoria Snashall
Technical Director:  Daniel O'Shea
Production Assistant:  Luis Zaldivar Gonzalez

WHEN:  November 18, 2026 – January 10, 2027
Opening Night:  Friday, November 20 at 7:00pm
Preview Performances:  November 18 & 19 at 7:00pm

Performance Times:
Wednesday-Saturday at 7:00pm
Tuesdays (December 1, 8, 22, & 29) at 7:00pm
Sundays (November 29; December 6, 13, 20, & 27) at 7:00pm 

Matinees:
November 22 & 28-29 at 2:00pm
December 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 22-24, 26-27, & 29-31 at 2:00pm
January 2, 3, 9, & 10 at 2:00pm 

WHERE:  York Theatre | 639 Commercial Drive 

TICKETS:
Tickets from $49; On sale now at The Cultch's Box Office, by phone at 604.251.1363, or online at www.thecultch.com
*Child tickets just $49 *(ages 5-16)
**Family Packs from $250 **(Family Pack includes 2 adult + 2 child tickets; while quantities last)

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

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