Dancing Sky puts a new twist on classic Christmas journey
Most of us know all about the visit of the three wise men and their journey, but what if there was a fourth who got sidetracked along the way?
Dancing Sky Theatre is back with a Christmas show that will have you questioning the story we all know. Based on the Henry Van Dyke novella, The Fourth Wise Man (December 6 – 22, 2019) is a story of struggle, hardship and self-doubt.
“Christmas is a time of reflection, of self-assessment and this story is very much about that”
“Christmas is a time of reflection, of self-assessment and this story is very much about that,” says artistic director Angus Ferguson. “This is a guy who missed the nativity because he was helping people along the way. Did he fail or did he find his true meaning in service?”
Tim Bratton plays Artaban, the fourth wiseman in Dancing Sky Theatre’s holiday tale. (Stobbe Photography)
Actor Tim Bratton plays Artaban, the wayward wise man. He says this is a story that will appeal to everyone, regardless of religious beliefs.
“We are treating the traditional, biblical tale with respect but we don’t stay in that realm.” Bratton explains, “The Magi were not Christians, they were outsiders. There is an invitation in this play to encounter people of different races, religions and opinions and accept the truth, wherever you find it. It’s something we really need right now.”
The original novella, written in 1895 is only the jumping off point for this story. This production is a collective creation from the team at Dancing Sky Theatre. It includes original music, movement and storytelling in a show that will entertain the entire family.”
“This is a whole new level of investment in the show for our team,” says Bratton. “We are not just pretending to be someone else’s characters on stage, we all have a hand in telling this story. There’s a real ‘gather round the fireplace’ feel to this production.”
As with all Dancing Sky shows, this is not just about the performance but also about the experience at the theatre. Audiences can choose to see just the play or share a meal before the matinee or evening shows. For many, this is a holiday tradition. The cast and crew want to honour that with an inspiring story for all ages.
“We all have goals for our lives or where we think we’ll end up,” says Bratton. “This story proves what’s important is what happens along the journey to discovering who you truly were meant to be.”
