A Little Business at the Big Top

FOUR STARS | 'For a moment, I was really worried for David Gaines up there on that highwire'

Image | A Little Business at the Big Top

Caption: David Gaines (David Gaines)

Rating: ★★★★
Company: David Gaines, Arlington, Va.
Genre: Physical Theatre
Venue: 6 — Tom Hendry Theatre, MTC Warehouse
Purchase Tickets(external link)
For a moment, I was really worried for David Gaines up there on that highwire.
Of course, there is no highwire. But it's a testament to Gaines' skill as a mime that you'll believe in the wire, the elephant, the chimpanzee, and the host of other characters that populate his family-friendly physical theatre performance.
There's not much going on story-wise in this wordless show. Our main characters are an unassuming concession stand worker and his tightrope-walking love interest. A big bad circus manager comes between them, and hijinks ensue.
Every facial expression, gesture, whistle and whoop is calculated to draw us into the world [Gaines] creates. - Joff Schmidt
But in a throwback to classic cartoons and clowning, Gaines brings those hijinks to life in glorious detail without the use of a single prop. His every facial expression, gesture, whistle and whoop is calculated to draw us into the world he creates.
It may not be quite the Greatest Show on Earth. But it is utterly delightful.
Step right up ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys of all ages.
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