| Horse Whispering | ||
| Cavalia | ||
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| Review by Ross Anthony | ||
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A simply gorgeous show. From set design, to music, to seating, this is a production that entertains its audiences. Artistic acrobatic dances drape from the dark rooftop like able spiders, then spin amidst circling horses like butterflies. Their beauty will stir your heart and give your stomach a few butterflies of its own. Back flipping gymnasts bounce about the sand and atop the backs of the stately steeds. Their fun and fluidity will keep a smile on your face. And trainer Frederic Pignon walks softly with the big horses cajoling side steps, bows and even kisses from the large animals. But what really brings down the house – is the house itself. Massive with several regal peaks, the tent is white on the outside, night blue inside. The portable seating pitches from the stage to the back canvas wall at about 40 degrees (angle that is – the temperature was as you’d expect in any indoor production). I loved that the seating is on one side only and not obstructed by pillars or cables. Of course, I’d vote for a tad steeper pitch, but as is, every seat will give you a pretty good view of this magnificent stage show. Speaking of the stage, it’s dynamic, functional and beautiful. Taking full advantage of projected art, scenery changes often from trees to clouds to Roman archways. It’s a setting that gives you all four seasons complete with sun, actual rain, actual snow (or snow-like flakes) and actual falling leaves (or at least paper autumn leaves). The snow took my breath away, I felt like I was in a snow globe with these powerful gentle dancing actors. Drawbacks? As a horse layperson, I think I was missing some of the finer points of the subtler, slower horse moments. Hence, I felt they went a tad long. Especially, the mirror damsel-on-a-horse act. That could have been cut in half. That said, I enjoyed the ghost horse projected on the water spray. That’s it. Overall, this is simply a sweet, majestic, aesthetically stirring production. Go see it. This review based on the January 14, 2006, Irvine, California presentation. |
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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186.
Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow. |
