‘Duel Reality’ at the Alliance Theatre
“Duel Reality,” created by The 7 Fingers and presented at the Alliance Theatre, offers a lively, circus‑infused spin on “Romeo and Juliet.” The show blends acrobatics, dance, and broad theatricality into a family‑friendly evening that feels closer to a Vegas spectacle than a traditional piece of theatre.
The production’s strongest moments come from its physical acts. The aerial work, gymnastics, and hula‑hoop sequences are engaging and often impressive, especially for younger audiences or anyone seeing contemporary circus for the first time. While the acrobatics don’t reach the technical precision of Cirque du Soleil — a few performers visibly shook during handstands and balances — the athleticism is real, and the audience responded warmly.
Where the show struggles is in its attempt to merge circus with narrative. The performers open the evening by moving through the audience and establishing the rivalry between the Red and Blue teams, but the acting feels presentational rather than lived. The emotional stakes of Romeo and Juliet never quite take root, and the spoken moments often land with the broadness of a school production. The choreography also creates some confusion: one moment the teams are battling, the next they’re collaborating on an aerial stunt, with little clarity about how the story is progressing.
Still, “Duel Reality“ succeeds on the level of spectacle. It’s colorful, energetic, and accessible, with enough variety in its acts to keep families and children engaged. While the acting never reaches the level of truthful behavior under imaginary circumstances, the acrobatics carry the show, and the ending delivers the genuine emotional resonance that brings audiences to live theater.
It may not deliver the emotional depth it reaches for, but as a live acrobatic performance — especially for younger viewers — it’s a fun and visually engaging experience.
“Duel Reality” runs through March 1 at the Alliance Theatre.
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