By Sandi Masori
SAN DIEGO — One of the things I love about the Old Globe Theater is that with three different stages, there’s always a wide variety of shows happening. Duel Reality, the newest show on their main stage is not necessarily a play exactly, but it’s certainly a production and a performance.
So, what is it? you may ask. It’s a Cirque-de-Soliel style acrobatic and juggling show with a plot that loosely suggests Romeo and Juliet. When you walk into the theater, you will be offered a blue or red band depending on what side of the theater your seat is on. This represents the team or family you will belong to.
While the house lights are still up and while you’re trying to figure out what the band they handed you is, a fight breaks out on the side of the theater. Apparently someone from the wrong side is trying to sit where they don’t belong. A moment later it becomes clear that the show is starting and this is part of the performance. As for the plot, basically the red team and blue team are at war and are competing in acrobatics and aerial tricks. The only problem is that one of the blue girls is in love with one of the red boys. The two keep trying to come together, only to be pulled away by their teams.
There’s a tiny bit of dialogue which is projected on the background as the performers say the lines. In some places it is effective and in others a distraction. But in all cases, the jaw-dropping tricks, which are flawlessly executed, will make you say “WOW!” “Oh my G-d” and “WOAH!”
Shana Carroll directs this show reminiscent as one that you might see in Vegas or a luxury cruise ship. In fact, the show was originally produced by 7 Fingers in association with Virgin Voyages, so there you go. The cast seems to be multi-national, judging by their accents with the few lines of dialogue. There are no specific parts per se, though each artist clearly has an acrobatic specialty.
I’ve been around this kind of art before, when I was an aspiring magician hanging out at The Magic Castle in Los Angeles, and also when I was living in Japan performing a balloon magic show. And I can tell you, though the things they do on the stage look effortless, they are hard, really really hard, and require a ton of skill. I would guess that some of the performers have spent their entire lives working on their craft. And it shows. The tricks are flawlessly performed, keeping the audience gasping and marveling at the literal heights they go to.
In case you’re wondering which acrobatics they showcased, I’d have to say, all of them. There was pole work, an aerial swing, aerial chains (instead of the usual silks), hula hoop work (which really was something else), various forms of juggling, see-saw jumping, and hand balancing. I may have left something out, but you get the gist of it.
There are no bad seats in the house, but if you want an even better view, there are a few rows of seats actually on the stage.
This is a great family show, it’s only about 70 minutes, with no intermission, and young children will be as captivated by the constant action and death-defying feats. Tickets are available through Aug 4.
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Sandi Masori is a theater and restaurant reviewer for San Diego Jewish World