What a show! Miranda Allen’s street performance was hugely entertaining
By David F. Rooney
Actress Miranda Allen is not merely a charming and convincing actress, but one heck of a performer whose street show, Tianna the Traveller, at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, September 27, was hugely entertaining.
Miranda is well-known locally for her work teaching children drama classes and, at a distance, for her work as a professional actress in Toronto, Edmonton and abroad. Less well-known is the fact that she is a very funny street performer who brings together a little fire play, whip work and Houdini-style escape tricks, lightly salted with mild and humourous sexual innuendo.
While she has performed this show in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Alberta, she has never done it here at home. So her decision to show it in public here was a real treat:
Perhaps as many as 300 people turned out to watch her two performances last Saturday and Miranda was ecstatic at the crowd’s reception.
And the crowd loved the show. More than one person suggested to me that the addition of regular street performances could boost boost attendance at the weekly market.
If you missed the show I hope you enjoy it vicariously through this selection of photos from, for the most part, Miranda’s noon performance:
This was the just a part of the crowd that turned out for Miranda Allen’s first show of the day at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, September 27. Pauline Portras photoMiranda had a number of volunteer assistants for each performance. This little fairy helped in her first Saturday morning show. Pauline Portras photoMiranda shakes hands with of five-year-old Kim who volunteered to assist her during her noon-hour performance. David F. Rooney photoMiranda hams it up for a photographer. David F. Rooney photoNever tick off a woman with a whip! Miranda snaps a bull whip as part of her show. Pauline Portras photoMiranda comes dangerously close to singeing her eyebrows as she twirls two flaming balls. Who knew she was a pyromaniac? Pauline Portras photoLeon Remus (left, center) was pressed into service as yet another show assistant. David F. Rooney photoOh my God! Yet another melodramatic moment in Miranda’s show. David F. Rooney photoBut first a moment of fire play… David F. Rooney photoCatch me if you can! Miranda dares Leon to catch her. David F. Rooney photoLeon and yet another spectator, Kate Baron (left) wrap a chain around Miranda. David F. Rooney photoThat’s a lot of chain. David F. Rooney photoAnd, of course, it has to be tightly wrapped. David F. Rooney photoMake sure it’s really, really tight, guys! David F. Rooney photoHere’s a close up. Pauline Portras photoMiranda loves her work as an actress and as a street performer. David F. Rooney photoHow do you get out of a chain-encased straitjacket? David F. Rooney photoBending helps. David F. Rooney photoSo does twisting. David F. Rooney photoAnd look! Rolling on the ground really helps, too. David F. Rooney photoA little more bending… David F. Rooney photoFinally, progress! Chains gone, Miranda struggles to free herself from the straitjecket. David F. Rooney photoOooo… that looks painful. David F. Rooney photoWith only 10 or 20 seconds to go Miranda races against the clock. David F. Rooney photoFree at last! Miranda accepts the audience’s applause. David F. Rooney photo
