'Funambula' continues tradition of family-friendly cirque fun at Beau Rivage
Mysterious background figures often add a dreamlike quality to "Funambula," as Bello Nock (center) and other performers entertain in the foreground. (Courtesy of Beau Rivage)
from: al.com
By Lawrence Specker
on July 08, 2013
BILOXI, Miss. – You’ll think, “Oh, that’s neat.” Then you’ll think, “Oh, wow, they were just getting warmed up.” And then you’ll think, “No way.”
from: al.com
By Lawrence Specker
on July 08, 2013
BILOXI, Miss. – You’ll think, “Oh, that’s neat.” Then you’ll think, “Oh, wow, they were just getting warmed up.” And then you’ll think, “No way.”
And then you’ll think all of these things, over and over again, as “Funambula” runs its course. The Cirque-style show starring Bello Nock has settled into a summer run that continues through Aug. 11 at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino.
In its favorite trick of setting expectations and then beating them, the production bears some similarity to last year’s “Fata Morgana,” another production from DreamCast entertainment. Both feature a number of acts that are so basic and universal that they’re among the fundamental building blocks of circus entertainment. In this case, examples include juggling, balancing and even the limbo dance.
The limbo? Okay, you think, here’s a party trick we all know, being performed by an exceptionally skilled individual. And then it goes from just being a party trick to being a feat involving fire and an exotic level of physical discipline. And then it becomes a stunt involving contortionism and knives. Somewhere along the line, it’s not just a party trick anymore.
Bello Nock watches the Wheel of Wonder, prior to getting caught up in the action. (Courtesy of Beau Rivage)
Despite this penchant for ratcheting things steadily upwards, “Funambula” is not just a remix of “Fata Morgana,” however: The show’s creators, including DreamCast founder Mikhail “Misha” Matorin and Nock himself, know that would be artistic suicide. While the company’s repeat visits to Biloxi over the last few years have been very successful, they also mean that the international cast has to take Mississippi just as seriously as it takes Monte Carlo: The performers know they’re going to be facing informed audiences who won’t be satisfied with the same old stunts.
Despite this penchant for ratcheting things steadily upwards, “Funambula” is not just a remix of “Fata Morgana,” however: The show’s creators, including DreamCast founder Mikhail “Misha” Matorin and Nock himself, know that would be artistic suicide. While the company’s repeat visits to Biloxi over the last few years have been very successful, they also mean that the international cast has to take Mississippi just as seriously as it takes Monte Carlo: The performers know they’re going to be facing informed audiences who won’t be satisfied with the same old stunts.
“You have to wow them every year,” said Matorin. “It’s a hard job, we’re competing with ourselves every year.”
The performers don’t take their audiences for granted, said Nock. “We pay attention to audiences. We read faces,” he said. They take in feedback that helps them develop every show.
read more:
http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/07/funambula_continues_tradition.html
read more:
http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/07/funambula_continues_tradition.html
No comments:
Post a Comment