A week of theatre games hosted by a duo from Edmonton culminated in a Friday afternoon circus performance for the ages (and for all ages).

From August 4-8, Marie-Joanne (MJ) Fogue Makou and Steve Jodoin from Unitheatre Edmonton brought big performer energy down the Yellowhead Highway and into the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives.

The francophone Theatre Camp was hosted by the Jasper branch of the Association of Canadian Francophones (ACFA). The professional performers from Edmonton set up camp downstairs at the museum, turning the utilitarian Bridgeland Room into an intimate auditorium, where new friendships were formed and big plans for a Friday afternoon performance were hatched.

On the day of the big show, Jasper’s Kara Jiménez Barba came out from behind the curtain, robed in Ring Master red. As she warmed up her prolific pipes, the chatter died down.

Kara commanded the crowd’s attention, and for the next several minutes this magnifique master of ceremonies would introduce circus acts and spectacles which would would prove life changing….or at least, Friday afternoon changing.

First there was the cartwheeling, hand-standing, somersaulting gymnasts, performing in perfect harmony.

Then in spilled a cackle of clowns—silly but sophisticated, sending those seated into slapstick-inspired spasms.

Muscled and mighty, the circus Strong Men stepped up next. With biceps bulging and triceps trulging(?), they stomped around the stage with powerful confidence.

Hocus pocus, sim sala bin, these mystic soothsayers lured the audience in!

Abracadabra, lickity split, Bronwyn’s magic show was totally lit!

The cast and crew were given a spirited ovation for their impressive efforts.

And parents cheered even louder when MJ and Steve said they’d be back next summer! Bravo!

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com