In the world of make-believe you can fly anywhere you like but for the cast of the Peter Pan stage production a little instruction is helpful.
A flying expert from Chicago was at the Esplanade on Monday to train actors and a team of volunteers who will be helping back stage for the shows beginning this weekend.
“The engineering is straight forward,” said William Auld, operations manager and flying director for Hall Associates Flying Effects. “Safety is the priority so the actors have complete confidence in the system and operators.”
There are only about 200 flying directors in the whole world so the production team and cast of Peter Pan are rather excited to have Auld overseeing the details in Medicine Hat this week.
It’s the first time this system will be used at the Esplanade and an operator is required for each actor who is flying. The operator becomes accustomed to the weight of the actor they are helping to fly and understand the amount of control required, said Auld. Some of the actors will actually be hoisted 40 feet in the air.
“It’s scary at first and then it starts to feel better as you feel safer,” said Katie Hood who is an alternate for Peter Pan.
Abby Potter is playing Peter Pan and managed to look remarkably comfortable soar across the stage.
“If you’ve done a bit of rock climbing you have an idea of what it feels like,” said Potter. “I concentrate on the acting and just trust the people to help me fly.”
The performances begin this Friday at the Esplanade.