In 1913, legendary tragedienne Sarah Bernhardt travelled to Edmonton, Alberta, to perform the last act of Alexandre Dumas’ The Lady of the Camellias before two packed houses at the Empire Theatre. Inspired by Fallen Empires—John Orrell’s celebrated history of Edmonton’s early theatre scene—At the Zenith of the Empire creates a swirling speculative scenario about the impact of this very special day on the lives of Edmonton’s earliest theatre-goers and theatre practitioners. The Divine Sarah herself narrates this sumptuous romp of reminiscence, as the characters visit such local landmarks as Ada Boulevard, the Groat Ravine, newly annexed Strathcona, and the not-quite-completed High Level Bridge.