Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, January 16, 2008

ARVIAT - The Grinch's return to an Arviat stage this past month was a huge success.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas played to the biggest crowds to date at the John Arnalukjuak high school theatre, attracting about 500 patrons to a pair of shows.

Cast members in the Arviat production of How the Grinch Stole Christmas this past month were: back row from left, Jimmy Napayok (Pongo), Daniel Alagalak (Grinch), Mark Shamee (Bongo), Emily Angalik (Sue Who), Joni Okatsiak (Cindy Lou Who) and Riley TrokeBarriault (Narrator), and front row from left, Joe Shamee Jr. (Lou Who), Ramon Kaviok (Whoviller), Doyle Kowtak (Max the Dog), Samuel Pauppa (Stu Who) and Jonathan Kigusiutnar (Whoviller). - photo courtesy of Gord Billard

Drama teacher and play director Gord Billard said he was more than pleased with the performance.

He said the show took on a life of its own after the dress rehearsals.

"The kids knew all their lines, the crowds were really receptive to the physical humour and the gags all drew a lot of laughter," said Billard.

"Normally, when we have a show for the entire community, there's a lot of kids running around if it isn't interesting enough for them, but this time they were just taking it all in.

"A lot of kids saw the show at school and then came back for the evening shows because they enjoyed it so much, which was wonderful."

Billard said Grade 9 student Daniel Alagalak was superb in the title role, delivering a powerful characterization of the Grinch.

He said his two sidekicks, Jimmy Napayok as Pongo and Mark Shamee as Bongo, were also very strong in their roles helping the Grinch rob Whoville.

"It's a big theatre to fill with your voice and all three of them commanded your attention with their power, force, control and command of English.

"I had people come up to me right up until I left for Christmas vacation to tell me it was one of the best shows we've done in Arviat, if not the best.

"Considering some of the young cast members I've had the pleasure to work with in the past, that's high praise indeed."

Billard said it was a good feeling to see a high level of enthusiasm in the hamlet for a drama club play again.

He said it's important to stage a production that appeals to the younger residents of the community.

"I've been doing our population statistics with my Grade 9 social studies class.

"More than 50 per cent of Arviat's population is under 19 years of age, so you have to try and cater to that crowd if you want to do a really successful show here."

Billard said this year's show was only done in English because it would be very hard to translate the Grinch into Inuktitut.

He said there's too many parts of the dialogue that simply don't translate into Inuktitut properly, if at all.

"The show was a huge success, even though we could only do it in English.

"Many people here probably won't look at the animated or Jim Carrey version of the Grinch in the same way again.

"Our next project will be a spring show, but we haven't decided just what yet.

"Whatever we decide, we're going to have to work hard on it because the Grinch is a tough act to follow."