The 93-year-old mill that is now home to the Britannia Mine Museum has some new tricks to show off.
This summer, the museum is introducing BOOM!, a live-action show complete with explosions, sparks, and smoke.
"‘BOOM!' is a compelling way for us to share the Mill's authentic and heart-warming story, and its purpose and function as a historically significant community beacon to the more than 60,000 people who used to live and work here at the Britannia Mine," Kirstin Clausen, the executive director of the Britannia Mine Museum, said in a press release. "We can't wait to launch the new show this summer."
BOOM! has been a work-in-progress since the idea was dreamed up 10 years ago. The many people who helped bring the mine's history to life have also worked on projects including IMAX, Cirque Du Soleil and rides at Universal Studios and Disney.
Beyond the 13-minute show itself, they built a movable skip that shows how mining equipment navigated the iconic 20-storey building. First, they had to move the original skip —weighing in at three tonnes — so the lighter replica could take its place.
The National Historic Site was in operation until 1974, and has since been transformed into a museum including tours on an underground train, giant machines, panning for gold and now BOOM!
The show opens June 1. Go to www.britanniaminemuseum.ca for more information.
**Please note, this story has been updated since it was first posted to include the show's opening day date.
