Merivale High School presents Game of Tiaras

Published Apr 19, 2025

Last updated Apr 19, 2025

12 minute read

Emily Pomerant, performs as Cinderella (L), Nicolas Vranas performs as King (R), during Merivale High School’s Cappies production of the Game of Tiaras. Photo by Denise Bonakdari /StudentArticle content

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Merivale High School

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Game of Tiaras

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Directors: Natalie Simard & Shana Good

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Sadie Hanley, Critic

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Elmwood School

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How far would you go to claim something you believed was rightfully yours? Scheming sisters turn against each other with hysterical results in Merivale High School’s production of Game of Tiaras, proving that the bond of blood is sometimes no match for unchecked ambition when only one petty princess can wear the crown.

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A contemporary take on classic stories, Game of Tiaras follows sisters Belle, Cinderella, and Ellie, as they vie to take their father’s place as ruler of the magical kingdom of England. Drawing inspiration from medieval dramas and Shakespearean plays, this story weaves humour throughout its narrative, exploring sibling rivalry among unexpected twists and tragedy.

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Emily Pomerant portrayed the firstborn, Cinderella, the most self-important sister, with unforgettable conviction. Pomerant’s commitment to larger-than-life physicality and a wide emotional range were captivating. As Ellie, the icy Snow Queen, Sophie Jane Miller perfectly complemented Pomerant’s Cinderella, presenting the character’s simmering jealousy with cool confidence. Miller’s feminist take on the Snow Queen came through in exaggerated postures, gestures and command of the stage. As the third sister, less interested in capturing the crown, Deniz Usta’s portrayal of Belle was subtly brilliant. Whether disengaging from the sisters’ antics or fighting her own battles, Usta was compelling when portraying calm in the face of chaos. Each member of this dysfunctional family brought a unique and captivating individuality to their quest for the throne.

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Chloe Hickson, performs as Other Princess 3, during Merivale High School’s Cappies production of the Game of Tiaras, on Apr. 9, 2025, in Ottawa. Photo by Denise Bonakdari /StudentArticle content

Alexis Dawson’s performance as Snow White was refined, kicking off the show with clueless charm. Nicolas Vranas as the retiring King and Cameron Baas as his loyal servant (and occasional horse) Smeagol were a dynamic duo who delivered some of the most amusing moments throughout the show. Even when passionately disagreeing with each other, their comedic chemistry was on full display. Vranas’s over-the-top regal antics contrasted delightfully with Baas’s straight and reluctant take on the servant. Duncan Griswold delivered a stand-out performance as the French Prince, brimming with mustached flamboyance. Griswold’s outrageously stereotypical accent and exaggerated physicality made the Prince impossible to ignore. Griswold’s dynamic opposite, Edward Vaughan’s arrogant Prince Charming, added an endearing layer of humour to the show.

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The ensemble cast of this show was nothing short of outstanding. No matter the number of lines, each cast member delivered them with enthusiasm, matching each other’s intensity. The consistently comical performances of Cinderella’s Guards were contrasted by the unconcerned attitudes of the French Soldiers, who skillfully portrayed the absurdity of picnicking on an active battlefield, wielding baguettes instead of swords. Nameera Farzin’s recurring appearances as Blood Packet Guy provided hilarious foreshadowing. Even though the character’s presence always indicated impending tragedy, Farzin’s physical comedy, especially when dancing dramatically around the stage with red streamers to symbolize blood during times of emotional significance, added a unique layer of fourth-wall-breaking fun to the show.

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Stage managers Leny Dextra and Emma Park seamlessly orchestrated a large cast and crew. The backstage crew caught items thrown offstage and removed dead bodies without detracting from ongoing scenes. The House of Lighting Technicians artfully used colour and carefully placed spotlights to enhance characters and highlight the playful banter between Katherine Jubb and Lucas Gray-Donald as the Narrators. The House of Strings, the talented string ensemble, scored the entire show, competently performing recognizable music and lending emotional depth to some of the more thrilling scenes.

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Complete with vicious back-stabbing and an unexpected victor, the cast and crew of Merivale High School’s production of Games of Tiaras served up a riotous tragedy with a modern feel, from the opening slice of a guillotine to the final sip from a poison bottle.

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Naomi Baird, Critic

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Elmwood School

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As an arrow strikes down the last one standing in the spotlight, the unexpected victor emerges from the shadows. Every battle and cruel murder has led to this moment, but no one could have foreseen who would step into the light to claim the tiara. This captivating moment shaped the exciting conclusion of Merivale High School’s hilarious rendition of Game of Tiaras.

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Game of Tiaras (2015) is a modern comedic tragedy that mixes the twists and turns of the TV drama Game of Thrones with the heart-wrenching despair of Shakespeare’s King Lear. It’s written by Don Zolidis, an American playwright who is well known for having published over 100 plays and one-acts for youth. It follows the chaotic feuds of three sisters, Cinderella, Belle and The Snow Queen, who want to assume their aging father’s kingdom. In their quest for power they experience love, loss and betrayal. However, they’re not the only ones hoping to take the throne.

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Merivale High School’s production was a comedic show filled with moments where actors made great use of timing, tone and dramatic expressions.

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Emily Pomerant’s vivid performance brought life to the impudent melodrama of Game of Tiaras’ Cinderella. Through expressive body language and iconic facial expressions Pomerant adeptly portrayed the conceited character’s journey of self-discovery. In the beginning of the show, Cinderella was immediately established as a character willing to do whatever it took to succeed. As the story progressed, Pomerant skillfully portrayed Cinderella’s relentless ambition, pushing past others in pursuit of power. Nearing the end of the show however, the true emotional depth of the character was revealed, thanks to Pomerant’s heartfelt and compelling breakdown over the death of the beloved Prince Charming.

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The ignorant King, played by Nicolas Vranas, was a hilarious addition to the show. The use of timing and tone vibrantly conveyed the King’s insecure and somewhat immoral nature. Vranas was especially effective when on stage with Smeagol, played by Cameron Baas, as the two developed a captivating dynamic as the lazy king and the pathetic servant. Duncan Griswold, who played the French Prince, was also notable for keeping a very comedic French accent throughout the performance. The Snow Queen was played by Sophie Jane Miller, who brought the character to life through effective use of facial expressions and body language. Miller developed the character as a pragmatic feminist whose unwavering determination went beyond the simple desire for more land and power.

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The storyline was emphasized by the dramatic changes in lighting, designed by The House of the Lighting Technicians. Spotlights were consistently well timed and colour choices were effective in conveying the mood of the moments.

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The clever physicality of each character and the consistent execution of lighting truly shone in Merivale High School’s witty comedy, Game of Tiaras.

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Sophia Di Iorio, Critic

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Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School

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Trust no one, have no friends, and expect to be killed at any given moment. These are the rules to survive Merivale High School’s entertaining production of Game of Tiaras, where ribbon-red bloodshed and heart-stabbing betrayal ensue in tandem with utter buffoonery and Shakespearean levels of drama.

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Written by Don Zolidis, Game of Tiaras follows the tale of three bickering princesses — Cinderella, Belle, and Ellie the Snow Queen — who enter an all-out war for total domination of their retired father’s magical kingdom of England. As the sisters and their armies prepare for a ludicrous bloodbath, it is clear that only one shall survive…but who will it be?

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From beginning to end, the entire cast gave it their all, providing an energetic performance with good use of props and superb voice projection despite having no microphones. Their well-rehearsed chaos took its course on stage while the behind-the-scenes crew kept the show running smoothly from the wings. With a dedicated team of performers and backstage members, there was never a dull moment in the immersive and satirical play.

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Alexis Dawson, performs as Snow White (Lying down), Heidi Mang, performs as Dwarf 1 (On top), during Merivale High School’s Cappies production of the Game of Tiaras. Photo by Denise Bonakdari /StudentArticle content

In the role of Cinderella was Emily Pomerant, who skillfully embodied the eldest and cruelest sister. Whether it was by expressing bloodthirst or unexpected sadness, Pomerant portrayed Cinderella’s wild assortment of ridiculous emotions with sass, dramatic body language and sarcastic line delivery. Furthermore, Pomerant convincingly executed Cinderella’s development throughout the show, starting off as a one-dimensional villain until provisioned tragedy occurs and Prince Charming dies. Finally, Cinderella admits defeat, with Pomerant shedding the princess’s arrogant demeanour by slumping to the ground in grief, having come to the realization that there is more to lose than just your own life in the Game of Tiaras.

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Acting as a foil to Cinderella’s conquest was her sister Ellie, played by Sophie Jane Miller. Miller’s performance of the Snow Queen was humorous, with excellent use of facial expressions, intense eye movements and comedic timing. Alongside Deniz Usta as Belle, Miller and Pomerant displayed the strained sisterly relationship. Their interactions were comical and represented the dysfunctional family dynamic, where Belle finds herself sandwiched between her demeaning elder sisters. This was best shown when Cinderella and Ellie took turns throwing verbal and physical jabs at Belle, uniting to defeat a common enemy before turning on each other; the entire sequence witty and action-packed.

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The simple yet effective lighting designed by the House of Lighting Technicians suited the show’s needs, and occasionally served to shift the mood with multicolored lights. Red lighting engulfed the stage when violence raged while icy blue signified Ellie’s powers. The musicians of The House of Strings also had an important role when it came to creating the atmosphere, playing tunes when time called for them. These instances added tension to fights by providing a suspenseful underscore and made the show’s comedy even more ridiculous than it already was.

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A story of tribulations, turns and tragedy that was heightened by a lively cast and clever technical effects, Merivale High School’s version of Game of Tiaras was enjoyable and engaging.

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Helen Rochon, Critic

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All Saints High School

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For fans of Disney princesses and cold-blooded back stabbings, there may not be a better show than Merivale High School’s Game of Tiaras.

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Written by Don Zolidis in 2015, the tale combines Game of Thrones, King Lear, and Disney, to create a bloody, tragic, and hilarious story. The play follows three princesses as they battle to rule the enchanted kingdom of England, being passed on by their father. Throughout the story are many betrayals and plot twists as a gruesome fight for the crown entails.

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Merivale’s Game of Tiaras was a hilarious performance with remarkable acting. The camaraderie between Merivale’s cast was evident, as onstage chemistry appeared authentic with naturally flowing dialogue. This was especially noticeable during a ballroom dance, during which many characters got the chance to interact. Merivale’s orchestra accompanied many scenes, creating a sense of urgency during sword fights, or establishing atmosphere with their version of Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.” The synergy of this production was conspicuous, elevating all aspects of the vivacious show.

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Emily Pomerant’s Cinderella was everything one would expect of a classic princess: cunning, manipulative, and violent. Pomerant showcased impressive acting skills, with her broad emotional range showing as they switched from hysterical crying to hysterical laughing in the blink of an eye. Pomerant commanded the stage without remorse, wholly encapsulating the intensity of the character. Sophie Jane Miller’s Ellie the Ice Queen, (who in no way resembles a copyrighted character,) was marvellous. Miller portrayed Ellie’s independence with wit in scenes such as agreeing to marry Prince Charming (Edward Vaughn) for personal gain, and radiated exuberant facial expressions to the fullest, making each moment onstage all the more vibrant.

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Edward Vaughan, performs as Prince charming (L), Emily Pomerant, performs as Cinderella (R), during Merivale High School’s Cappies production of the Game of Tiaras. Photo by Denise Bonakdari /StudentArticle content

Nameera Farzin’s physical comedy as Blood Packet Guy was a delight. Though spotting Blood Packet Guy in a scene was sure to hail death and destruction, Farzin’s presence, tossing streamers and even performing a ribbon dance, was a true highlight of the show. Duncan Griswold’s dramatic performance and consistent accent as French Prince added to the character’s jocularity. The Merivale High School cast all enjoyed their own spotlights whilst simultaneously lifting each other up. Every single character’s personality shone brilliantly, creating an all-around spectacular onstage dynamic.

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Of course, what would a Game of Thrones adaptation be without a throne of swords? Merivale’s Artists In Distress set team had that covered by impressively adorning a chair with silver sword cardboard cutouts. The painted stone walls that flipped around to portraits of the princesses were excellent displays of design talent. Lighting was used effectively to augment characters’ actions. With precise timing, the lights switched to casting a menacing red across the stage, reinforcing the threats a character was making at the time.

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Spunky and energetic, the cast and crew’s hard work was evident in the quality of this performance, and Merivale High School charmingly delivered a memorable experience in every moment.

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Alexis Mae Gutierrez, Critic

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All Saints High School

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When transforming classic characters into cold-blooded competitors, though the promises of greed are tempting, nothing is ever certain. Where drama is ridiculously magnified, Merivale High School’s Game of Tiaras presents intense tragedy through comically over-the-top performances.

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Upon the King’s midlife crisis and his decision that someone new should rule the Magical Kingdom of England, he sensibly leaves the verdict up to his three feisty daughters: Cinderella, Belle, and Ellie the Snow Queen (who totally doesn’t resemble a copyrighted character.) Being as vicious as they are power-driven, the sisters’ initial phony dynamics quickly spiral into vengeful betrayal, the creation of armies, and spates of demise. In this tragedy, written in 2015 by Don Zolidis and modernly combining aspects of Game of Thrones, King Lear, and Disney fairy tales, comedy becomes as prominent as death.

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Featuring a synergistic cast with charming interactions, instinctive deliveries, and layered characters, the entire production was consistently captivating as the cast and crew fully embraced the absurdity of the farce.

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Depicting an audacious Cinderella, Emily Pomerant presented her haughty obsessiveness with powerful voice projection, fierce emphasis on words when threatening other characters, and snappy reactions when insulted. Highlighting Cinderella’s intimidation tactics when slandering her counterparts through judging expressions, hands on hips, and accusing pointed fingers, Pomerant displayed evident range in scenes of rage, a convincing fake death, and eventual genuine sympathy. Sophie Jane Miller as her sister, Ellie, similarly depicted the Snow Queen’s determination, with humorous hints at the character’s insecurity through whining and sulking when she didn’t get what she wanted. In contrast, Deniz Usta as Belle, while portrayed more docile, was still unapologetic, delivering lines snarkily or reading a book in the background during her sisters’ desperate attempts at proving their love for the King.

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Emily Pomerant, performs as Cinderella (L), Deniz Usta, performs as Belle (M), Sophie Jane Miller, performs as Snow Queen (R), during Merivale High School’s Cappies production of the Game of Tiaras. Photo by Denise Bonakdari /StudentArticle content

As their foolish father, Nicolas Vranas embodied the King’s obnoxiousness with boisterous line delivery that expressed his obliviousness to the unfolding events, including the mistreatment of his servant, Smeagol, played by Cameron Baas. Often subject to entertaining abuse, Baas’s consistently hunched back and exaggerated exhaustion when impressively carrying the King on his back allowed for a hilarious dynamic between the characters’ different scenes. As Blood Packet Guy, Nameera Farzin’s bubbly expressions when ribbon dancing, to wittiness when suddenly rushing across the stage to throw red streamers were evidence of amusing enthusiasm through vocally upbeat sound effects of blood gushing.

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Lighting by the House of the Technicians often utilized spotlights to highlight certain characters and changes in mood, specifically using blues for many scenes with the Snow Queen and reds during Cinderella’s sudden outbursts. Furthermore, sets by the Artists in Distress creatively featured hand-painted character panels that doubled as walls, and a refurbished armchair used as the King’s throne.

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Thoughtfully committed and playfully hysterical, Merivale High School’s production of Game of Tiaras showcased a charismatic and skillful cast and crew with each scene equally delivering unhinged humour, heightening drama, and corrupted ambition.

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About the reviews:

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The Merivale High School production was reviewed by 26 critics representing 6 schools. The critic discussions were mentored by teacher Victoria Bennett of St. Pius X High School and student reviews were edited and selected for publication by teacher Karina Bech of Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School, who could see only the reviews, not the names or schools of the reviewers.

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Next review: West Carleton Secondary School’s production of The Odyssey.

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About the Cappies:

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The Citizen and 23 high schools are participating in the Cappies, a Washington, D.C.based program that uses high school critics to review high school theatre. The program is a unique partnership between the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Two schools from other boards in the region and two private schools have also joined. The Cappies season culminates with an awards Gala in June graciously hosted by the National Arts Centre. Follow Canada’s Capital Cappies on Instagram @OttawaCappies.

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