Queen of the Mist is an operatic treat for anyone who’d like to spend an evening surrounded by beautiful voices, live music, a kick ass main character and lots of emotion. I say “surrounded”, as the audience is split into two parts, and seated on both ends of the stage. This creates quite an interesting effect of looking through a glass ball into this very particular time.
We are in upstate New York at the turn of the 20th century, in 1901. This is the story of 63 year-old Anna Edson Taylor who, in an era of daredevils and sensational performers (Houdini’s reputation was growing across Europe), announces she will be the first person to cross the Niagara in a barrel, even going over the edge, something no one has ever come out alive from before. Many tried in various forms of boats, but the barrel is a new idea. With the help of her manager Frank Russell (Will Arundell), she will spread the word, and succeed, not even hurting herself.
In the second part of the show, things take a slightly darker turn. We see Anna getting older, losing her eyesight, and trying to hold onto her dignity by refusing to share her emotional memories about this unique experience.
