When Sackville’s beloved 21st annual SappyFest returns to town this weekend, audiences will once again enjoy music, art, theatre, and much more, from stages across downtown. Alongside mainstage concerts and events, visitors can expect the unexpected; moments of creativity in parks, galleries, libraries, and public spaces — including a new outdoor puppet production created through a collaboration between Mount Allison University faculty, local artists, and regional performers with funding from Arts NB. 

A Gorgon's Tale, an original interdisciplinary performance by Ian McFarlane, Resident Designer in Drama & Screen Studies and co-director of North Barn Theatre, will premiere during this year's festival on Saturday, August 2nd. Blending large-scale puppetry with live jazz improvisation, the production brings together artists from across Atlantic Canada in a project rooted in experimentation, collaboration, and community.
 

For Mount Allison's Drama & Screen Studies program, the project is another example of how creative work extends beyond the classroom and into the cultural life of Sackville.

“One of the things that makes Mount Allison so special is how close the connection is between our Program and Sackville’s vibrant creative community," says Dr. Sarah Fanning, Director and Assistant Professor in Drama & Screen Studies. "SappyFest is a wonderful example of that relationship. It brings artists, faculty, and community members together, creating a meaningful intersection between the University and the wider community.”

North Barn Theatre is the creative partnership of Ian McFarlane and their partner, artist Laura Stinson. This latest work was developed with financial support from Arts New Brunswick and features an original live score by renowned Halifax jazz pianist Behrooz Mihankhah, with dramaturgical support from Valmai Goggin, Instructor in Applied Theatre at MtA, and performance collaboration with Bianca Richard of Bouctouche.

Rather than relying on dialogue, A Gorgon's Tale tells its story through music, movement, and striking visual imagery. Inspired by the Greek myth of Medusa and the writings of philosopher Donna Haraway, the performance reimagines the Gorgon not as a villain, but as a symbol of resilience, regeneration, and humanity's relationship with the natural world.

"We usually begin creating from a philosophy rather than a script," says McFarlane. "That gives us a rich place to explore ideas before we decide how they'll take shape onstage."

For audiences unfamiliar with contemporary puppetry, the production also offers a chance to experience the art form in a new way.

"In North America, people often associate puppets with children's entertainment," says McFarlane. "But around the world, puppetry has a long history as a sophisticated artistic practice. It's been used to tell complex stories, ask difficult questions, politically protest, and create experiences that invite audiences to interpret meaning for themselves."

That spirit of curiosity also shapes McFarlane's work at Mount Allison, where they teach theatre design and mentor students while overseeing the visual design of productions in the Drama & Screen Studies program.
 

The connection between the University and SappyFest reflects the longstanding relationship between campus and community. Each year, the festival partners with organizations across Sackville — including Mount Allison — to showcase local creativity and create opportunities for artists, students, faculty, and residents to connect.

For McFarlane, that's part of what makes the festival so meaningful.

"SappyFest is when Sackville comes alive. It's when you get to see parts of the community you don't always cross paths with. Everyone is out together, sharing art, music, ideas, and experiences. It's a beautiful reminder of what this community can be."

A Gorgon's Tale will be performed on Saturday, August 2 at 4 p.m. in the green space beside the Rectory Lane parking lot, adjacent to the Mount Allison campus. Festival-goers are also encouraged to keep an eye out for additional surprise puppet performances and artistic activations throughout the weekend.