![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/IMG_0961-e1726860091891.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
Duel Reality<\/em> is a jaw-dropping, amazing entertainment, performed by Les 7 doigts de la main, (or \u201c7 Fingers\u201d here in the U.S.,) a troupe of inventive and marvelously talented acrobats from Montreal. Their tag line is, \u201cTelling human stories with superhuman skills,\u201d which actually sums them up perfectly.<\/p>\n The performance is a display of amazing acrobatic feats by the group. I\u2019ve seen two of their previous artistic endeavors, which is why I knew I\u2019d move heaven and earth to see this<\/em> offering from them, which turned-out to be a tad different from their norm in that it had a bit of a story to the proceedings. Duel Reality<\/em> is basically 7 Fingers\u2019 take on Shakespeare\u2019s\u00a0Romeo and Juliet<\/em>, minus the tragic conclusion. (At the end, one of the cast members tells us, \u201cWe changed the ending because who needs a tragedy these days?\u201d That\u2019s very appreciated, at least by moi.)<\/p>\n For me, though, their physical achievements are sooo spectacular that a narrative is totally not necessary. No one would lose interest if the troupe just performed those with no context. Perhaps they include a tale to make it more interesting for themselves, which is totally understandable.<\/p>\n There are eleven cast members, and all of them appear to possess multiple acrobatic talents, and at the end of the production, some of them even play guitars and sing.<\/p>\n Photo by David Bonnet, as is the one at the top of this review.<\/p><\/div>\n I had two favorite acts. First is what I\u2019m<\/em> dubbing \u201cThe World\u2019s Strongest Couple,\u201d Michelle Hernandez and Gerardo Gutierrez. Their \u201chand-to-hand\u201d performance literally took my breath away. As the Romeo and Juliet of the show, they end it on the trapeze, with moves that made us scream! (I hope they\u2019re a couple in real life because their chemistry is a thing of beauty.)<\/p>\n My other fave is the fearless teeterboard duo of Anton Erik Persson and Per Einar Kling Odencrants, (who has perhaps the best name ever!) And I loved the surprise ending to their act. There are some audience seats on the stage*, and would I really love to see Duel Reality<\/em> again from one of them, but I’m afraid that witnessing these guys so up-close and personal might give me a heart attack! *[Note: If those seats on the stage sound good to you, you should inquire about them. But, as my friend Jan pointed-out, you won’t get to see the background images, which we really enjoyed.]<\/p>\n There are also a hula hoops act by Ashleigh Roper; dueling jugglers, (one with balls, one with clubs,) Daniela Corradi and Santiago Rivera; and diabolo artist Arata Urawa. The opening features the company\u2019s famous pole work, and rounding-out the cast are Marco Ingaramo, Mili\u00e8ve Modin-Brisbois, and Adam Fulick.<\/p>\n Photo by David Bonnet.<\/p><\/div>\n I didn’t want any<\/em> segment to end! I kept hearing \u201cOh My God,\u201d from audience members the whole time, while the more genteel among them exclaimed, \u201cOh my gosh<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n The performers\u2019 incredible skills are accompanied by constant interesting recorded music selections, which are appropriate for each section of the show. They even use a bit of Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet<\/em> ballet music at the beginning to showcase the presentation\u2019s theme. How very apt.<\/p>\n Duel Reality<\/em> is very<\/em> short, (being a bit under seventy minutes, but it felt like only ten because I wanted it to continue,) with no intermission. And no net!<\/p>\n The only quirk of the entire event that I didn\u2019t love is that they recite lines from Shakespeare\u2019s\u00a0Romeo and Juliet<\/em> from time to time. Acting is not the acrobats\u2019 strong suit, and some of their recitations even elicited some chuckles, (in a sweet way,) from the crowd I saw it with. Also, good thing the words were projected onto the backdrop. Let\u2019s leave it at that.<\/p>\n The happy \u00a0Duel Reality curtain call at the Ahmanson. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Lastly, (and lightly,) I do have to give my fellow germaphobes a possible warning about something not<\/em> on the stage. As each patron enters the theatre, they\u2019re given a red or blue wristband, so they know which side of the Shakespearean \u201cconflict\u201d to root for. That part is fun. At the end, they lead you to take them off and throw them in the air. And then they ask you to return them to the ushers, which seems to me to mean that the wristbands will be reused at the other performances. I was aghast at the thought that someone else\u2019s germs had been transferred to my<\/em> wrist! (And hair<\/em>\u2014I used my band to hold mine back, to not annoy my seatmates with tons of tresses!) I\u2019m hoping I\u2019m wrong, and that we return them just to make sure they\u2019re disposed of properly, but just in case, maybe don\u2019t take one. Or disinfect your hands right away.<\/p>\n The wristband issue aside, you\u2019d be a fool to miss this brilliant show at the Ahmanson! I feel that we all need something like Duel<\/em> Reality<\/em> in our lives right now!<\/p>\n Duel Reality<\/em> running through September 22, 2024, 2024<\/strong> DUEL REALITY This show at the Ahmanson is absolutely fantastic! So, if you\u2019re anywhere near SoCal this week-end, I strongly suggest that you run right out to see Duel Reality because Sunday is your last chance! [Note: In case you noticed it, yes, the term the title is taken from is spelled \u201cduAl reality, not<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>
\n \u2028Ahmanson Theatre \u00a0135 N. Grand Avenue<\/strong>
\n 213-972-4400\u00a0www.centertheatregroup.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"