There will be a theatrical performance which recreates a dance marathon reminiscent of the 1930s at The ACT this Sunday.

The Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council presents a matinee performance of the Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret production Hard Times Hit Parade, with the music of Maria in the Shower and directed by Kat Single-Dain, at The ACT on Jan. 29.

Chockablock with live music, puppetry, and surprise, the hidden world of the dance contestants, haunted by their own hallucinations, inner voices, and deepest desires, comes to life before our eyes.

Chaos in the competition is further heightened by a threat from the city to shut down the dance marathon.

Hard Times Hit Parade is a story of cooperation, determination, and survival in hard times.

Peter Birnie of the Vancouver Sun called the performance "a hell of a hoot."

The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret is a collaboration of artists and performers who create original art, dance, music, media, and performance pieces independently and for groups including the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Public Dreams Society, In the House Festival, and Vancouver International Film Festival among others.

Maria in the Shower is Vancouver's legendary folk cabaret band - wandering minstrels, entertainers cut from old cloth, storytellers travelling and gathering tales as they go. Hard Times Hit Parade runs Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. at The ACT at 11944 Haney Pl.

Tickets are available by calling 604-476-2787, by visiting www. theactmapleridge.org, or by coming in person to The ACT ticket centre. After the performance, there will be a one-hour free dance lesson.