Little Elves brings folk horror and dark humour to Calgary this Halloween with original musical
Chromatic Theatre and Handsome Alice Theatre team for world premiere of Kodie Rollan's reimagined St. Nicholas legend at Pumphouse Theatre, Oct. 28 to Nov. 7.
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Chromatic Theatre and Handsome Alice Theatre have joined forces for the world premiere of Little Elves, an original contemporary musical that reimagines the medieval legend of St. Nicholas and the Evil Butcher through a lens of folk horror, dark humour, and live music.
Written by Kodie Rollan, Chromatic's artistic director, Little Elves weaves together puppetry, live music, and an unsettling atmosphere to explore themes of justice, vengeance, survival, systemic racism, and the narratives societies construct to justify violence. Rollan described the show's balance: "I'd like to think this show is a great blend of horror and heart—perfect for the Halloween season. We've got lots of visual and musical candy in the show that I think audiences are really going to love."
The production invites audiences into a world of lies, desperation, and impossible choices. Part ghost story, part fairy tale, part gripping thriller, it offers audiences the unsettling satisfaction of spooky season storytelling with thematic depth.
Little Elves runs from October 28 to November 7, 2026, at the Victor Mitchell Theatre at Pumphouse Theatre. Tickets and showtimes are available through the venue.
Also running this fall: Lunchbox Theatre brings back Ribstone by popular demand through October 17 at Studio Theatre in the Calgary Tower Centre. Local actor Christopher Hunt performs the one-person show, weaving family ranching tales with old-time folksiness, music, and humour. The Theatre debuts Icemen by Vern Thiessen, set during the Great Depression, from November 13 to 27 at 101, 215 14th Ave. S.W. Loose Moose Theatre Company runs improvised comedy Saturdays at 8 p.m. at 1235 26th Ave. S.E., with Secret Impro shows October 10 and 17, and The All Hallow's Eve Show October 23–24 and 30–31. Ghost River Theatre promotes boundary-pushing immersive work; its world premiere Soft Squishy Things plays Berlin this November before its Canadian debut in Calgary in January and February 2027.
The details
When and where does Little Elves run?
Little Elves runs from October 28 to November 7, 2026, at the Victor Mitchell Theatre at Pumphouse Theatre in Calgary.
Who wrote Little Elves?
Kodie Rollan, the artistic director of Chromatic Theatre, wrote Little Elves.
What is Little Elves about?
Little Elves is an original musical that reimagines the medieval legend of St. Nicholas and the Evil Butcher through folk horror and dark humour, exploring themes of justice, vengeance, survival, systemic racism, and the narratives societies construct to justify violence.
