Here is good news for Nik Wallenda’s vision of circus. He has the Old Gray Lady on his side – as usually she seems to be around visiting big tops of all sizes and styles.
I would like to have reprinted the entire review, but dare not risk running afoul of copyright laws.
The Times recurring reviewer, Alexis Soloski, who has a way of massaging average into awesome, once again goes to work on the sunny side. To her anxious eyes, for example, the sight of a mechanic (lifeline) protecting single trap aerialist Eli Huber comes as a relief.
As for the scaled back Wallenda display, notes Soloski, it “seems to fly with just a bit more care.” And that’s quite okay with her. And quite a statement, amounting to the most bizarre allusion yet to a wire walking routine performing in a manner it never comes close to. In fact, the Wallendas can barely walk the wire this year, their movements over it are are so tediously slow.
Nor was Solski offended by a gross side show-esque spectacle of a man swallowing a good dozen razor blades, but merely moved to be a good mother, whispering to her children, “Don’t ever try this.”
First and foremost, our Times critic loved Alan Silva’s diving roll-overs on the fabrics. And she had but one quibble with the show --- the extensive ring stays of comedy man Johnny Rocket, who takes up “arguably too much space. Three appearances might have been enough.”
All of which marks a “swift return” of wonder. Director Philip Wm McKinely wins basic kudos for the “brisk, back-to-basics experience ... smaller and less glitzy than Ringling, but brimming with pizzazz.”
“If the show doesn't’ tell a story,” writes Soloski, the Dream Big theme implies “that anyone might want to grow up and join the circus, particularly those who grew up in it.”
Once again, the show won a Critic's Pick from the Times.
As I have argued here, it is much healthier for a circus to get a wide range of reviews, as does the stage and cinema. Keep in mind, there are, or were, a few You Tubes out there of the complete performance. Feel free to post your mini reviews right here! And do check out Douglas McPherson's knowing notice from across the Big Pond, at Circus Mania, a link to it found on the right bar.
Next?
6 comments:
Good to read some different takes on the same show. It's interesting to see how something that could be taken as a fault can also be seen as a virtue. "Massaging average into awesome" is a great line on your part!
Yes, indeed!
We talked about the NYTs review on our latest podcast (hideawaycircus.com/podcast) - bizarre how the NYTs consistently writes these strange reviews and still gives BAC Critic's Pick. Most interesting part to me was the mention that the 2021 season was not reviewed/attended because of the lack of available vaccines for children. Also notable and odd that the NYTs still considers Bindlestiff Family Cirkus to be for adults when the majority of their programming is family friendly - not so much research going on here.
Thanks Josh, for commenting in. I may take up this issue in greater depth in a future post.
And thank you for giving us a link to your podcast. I will surely listen in. Keep at it!
There was a time when you could hire a troupe or family act and they did several numbers. The endless solos look too much like a talent show. They might as well not have a ring at all if everyone works within a 10x10 space. At least with horses the whole ring is used.
I recall how excited Paul Binder or maybe publicist Phil Thurston was, when telling me of their having landed a respected Chinese troupe of acrobats. Or it could be a Russian troupe. Both could fill the ring with great exciting achievements, some very novel. This solo act circus, especially for Big Apple, feels so frugal. Even if all were stars, I would feel a void. The loner circus.
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