Diverse Christmas pageant magic hits Hobart’s CBD this weekend

FROM witches and festive dancers to Buddhists and an Indian snake boat — the 36th annual Hobart Christmas Pageant will bring a diverse mix of performers and cultures to the city this Saturday.

The 36th Christmas pageant will feature, from left, River Mallam, Josh Barnes, Charlotte Barnes and Bonnie Cashion as a witch in the cast Wicked. Picture: KIM EISZELE

FROM witches and festive dancers to Buddhists and an Indian snake boat — the 36th annual Hobart Christmas Pageant will bring a diverse mix of performers and cultures to the city this Saturday.

Up to 30,000 people are expected to flock to the city centre for the pageant, which will include 60 entries and 1700 participants.

One of the 16 new big ticket entries will be the cast of Wicked the musical.

Wicked which tells the story of two unlikely friends and how they became the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good in the land of Oz.

The cast will be joined by 28 Musical Theatre Crew dancers, stilt walkers, bands, schoolchildren the Buddhists and a debut entry from the Malayali community with their Indian snake boat.

Theatre director and Wicked co-producer Leiz Moore said that all 36 of the musical’s cast would take part in the pageant ahead of its debut performance in Hobart this January.

“Fiyero the lead romantic interest in the musical ... will be in a white carriage but there is a bit of twist with this one,” Ms Moore said “The wicked witch will also be floating in the carriage so it will look like princess and prince land but there will be a wicked twist.”

Witch Bonnie Cashion said the pageant would help with exposure for the show.

“But I hope I don’t scare too many people,” she said.

There will also be post-pageant entertainment in the Elizabeth St Mall. Hobart Mayor Sue Hickey said the event would mark the start of the Christmas season with a family event.

The pageant will start on Argyle St from 10.30am and fishing on Collins St at noon. Free parking will be available at all Hobart City Council carparks.

Meanwhile, Santa paid a quick visit to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens yesterday to remind some young children about the spirit of giving this Christmas.

This year’s Carols by Candlelght will be held at the gardens on December 18, with the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation was yesterday announced as the event’s charity.

The foundation will be asking patrons to donate to their cause of raising $650,000 for medical research.

“I’m here just making sure all the kids get the message of giving this Christmas,” Santa said.

Originally published as Diverse Christmas pageant magic hits Hobart’s CBD this weekend