Firefly marks milestone with myths and legends

It is Firefly Theatre’s fifth birthday and the ever-expanding company is celebrating with Let There Be Height: An Aerial Cabaret.

The Saturday, June 12 spectacle at La Cité Francophone boasts an impressive cast list of 34 professional and upcoming circus artists along with physical theatre, comedy and dance.

“When we started we had a cast of 16. Our acts were simpler. We didn’t have a theme. We didn’t have big choreographed numbers. We didn’t even know if people would come. And now it’s been sold out every year,” says Firefly co-founder and director Annie Dugan.

This year’s theme is Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends. Prepare to see the heroic outlaw Robin Hood and his Merry Men in silks, Alice in Wonderland’s nemesis Jabberwocky and a trapeze scene from Ride of the Valkyries. Hosting this two-hour extravaganza is top-tier actor and Dugan’s husband John Ullyatt.

Every year, Dugan features special artists that complement the circus arts. This show highlights the talents of international yo-yo champion Jensen Kimmitt and Middle Eastern dance artist Anya.

“Jensen has this fabulous energy. He’s alive and he’s really dexterous with his virtuosic yo-yo manipulation. And Anya, she has grace and delicacy and it’s a different form of movement.”

The pre-show entertainment is Samara Sednak as Maid Marion. She will make a comfortable knot in the silks high in the air and serenade the crowd.

St. Albert’s own Meghan Watson as the disguised adventurer Scarlet Pimpernel climbs the ropes for a breathtaking assault.

“She’s amazing — her tricks, her spins and falls. And the way she slides head down.”

Watson along with Dugan, Kim Precht and Micheline Giesbrecht have choreographed an aerial number of the five elements — earth, air, fire, water and wind.

“It’s very Twilight-esque. To me this piece confronts the audience with who they are. It’s slow, powerful and dramatic.”

Watt and Dugan have also choreographed the show’s most extravagant number slated as the opening piece, one that Dugan wants to keep as a surprise.

“It’s two hours of circus arts — the same things Cirque du Soleil does. You see people drop through space, spin and flip. It’s beautiful. It’s mesmerizing and you’re 20 feet away instead of 150. There’s a chance you might know someone, and it’s only a fraction of the price.”