The Great Farini Project

Reviewed by Paula Citron

The Great Farini Project. Choreographed by Sharon B. Moore. Performed by Brian Solomon and Brendan Wyatt, with Laurence Ramsay and James Kendal. Enwave Theatre, Sept. 22 to 25, 2010.

Choreographer Sharon B. Moore has created a very ambitious show with The Great Farini Project. It contains some of the most gruelling choreography for a male duet ever witnessed.

Moore went back to the Victorian era and the rivalry that existed between the two greatest tightrope walkers in the world – The Great Farini, who was Canadian, and the Frenchman Charles Blondin.

Brian Solomon is Farini, and Brendan Wyatt is Blondin, and they endure punishing physicality, both in the air and on the ground. Moore tries to make each duet look different – clowning, mocking, respectful, but towards the end, things do get a bit repetitive.

Another problem is text. Because the dancers are gasping for breath, words become inaudible. Perhaps Moore should have used voiceovers. Her attempts to sound Victorian, are spot on, however. Jennifer Bunt’s costumes are absolutely exquisite.

Despite the flaws, this is a dazzling show in terms of dance.

The Great Farini Project continues at the Enwave Theatre until Saturday.

I’m Paula Citron, arts reviewer for THE NEW CLASSICAL 96.3 FM.