Circus goes cerebral

Once more Firefly Theatre & Circus is airborne with a new production that promises to eclipse past works.

Following on the successful shoulders of Operation EVAsion, Fuzzfly, Skylife and Duck Duck Bang, the company has developed a fantasy that explores the mind through an alternate universe.

Craniatrium, Firefly’s latest full-length theatrical extravaganza, combines the talents of aerialists, dancers, actors, magicians and musicians.

Oh yes, and then there’s the odd stunt and fantastical gadget that will blow your mind throughout Craniatrium’s run from Tuesday, Nov. 26 to Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Westbury Theatre.

Set in the Victorian era, the story centres on an inquisitive doctor (John Ullyatt) and cartographer of the mind who builds a craniator, a machine that belches, bellows and spews steam.

“He’s figured out a way to travel into the mind and map out trouble spots,” says Firefly founder and artistic director Annie Dugan.

A mysterious woman (Cathy Derkach) with a dark secret and a crippling disorder approaches him for assistance. He agrees to treat her as a patient since she carries the fuel to power his craniator.

Dugan explains that the project, a co-operative affair that also included the creative expertise of Ullyatt, designer Marissa Kochanski and musician Dave Clarke, matured over a period of several years.

“Originally we wanted to do it as Grand Guignol – that’s French horror theatre. The more we looked at it, the more we were persuaded not to go there. There was a lot of gore and blood. And it would have meant too much cleanup after the show. However, we did like the drama, the high-stakes style of acting and the simple melodrama,” she chuckles.

Throwing new ideas on the table, the quartet concocted an analyst-inventor who combines elements of Indiana Jones and Sigmund Freud.

“The first time he enters the mind, the creatures who inhabit it are beautiful. There’s Spark, the guide and mind monkeys. They are shape shifters that are fragments of memory or intentions. It’s a beautiful place and monkeys try to entice him to stay. The second time, he believes the mind tries to trap him. It has a more dangerous feel. The third time, the woman reveals her memories. She reveals her stories.”

Six aerialists flex their muscles as the mind monkeys. They are Calgary’s Jessica Barrera, an ex-Cirque de Soleil performer, rope artist Mark Segal and Chinese pole specialist Ross Travis. In addition, Firefly regulars Lynn Gosselin, Kevin Ouellette and Amber Bissonette help launch this polished show.

St. Albert-born Gia Felicitas, also known as Billy Kidd, returns from England to cast a spell of magic and illusion. And musician Dave Clarke brings his keyboard playlist.

“It’s going to be a live performance that is completely original. We’re theatre and circus and we’ve pushed the boundaries theatrically. It has an amazing story and it’s cool circus. We’ve gone outside our normal comfort zone. It’s hard, but it’s really fun,” Dugan says.

Dugan added that Craniatrium is “an intellectual story” and young children expecting a fluffy Barnum & Bailey spectacle might be disappointed.

“We recommend it for children 10 and older who like theatre.”