What I saw last night. Australia’s Strange Fruit, Michael Moschen and Streb Extreme Action Company at the World Financial Center. Summertime is always when I manage to get the best pictures for this site. The darkened theater and black boxes are always the undoing of the Iphone 3 camera no matter what app I use.
The first piece was by Australia’s Strange Fruit.
Three women in Victorian garb scale poles. 
When they reach the top they haul up hoop skirts from the ground. 
Once firmly secured to pole and skirt they sway about whispering to each other feigning fear and just generally hanging out. Makes for better pictures than action.
The next act was Michael Moschen. 
A juggler I have not seen perform in over a decade. He stays away from juggling chain saws and axes instead sticking with the traditional balls. He attempted to give a bit of a tutorial while juggling. His big interest seems to be angles, which he demonstrated, in rapid succession in the triangle.
The sun was a big hindrance to him and sent some balls astray but he was game for doing something precise in the elements.
Final piece was Streb’s Extreme Action Company. 
Working off a three level scaffolding “dancers” launched themselves in sequences off the platforms like they were falling into a pool. 
Except it was just a mat. I have seen them do this stuff before and it always looks on the edge of very painful. 
By the end several performers had bleeding knees and elbows. They are attempting to emulate the fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. 
The accompanying “womp” soundtrack when they hit the mat sounds like noise when the water suddenly drops to the surface. This is the most affective piece of the evening.
Elements: poles, hoop skirts, triangle, scaffolding
Title: “The Three Belles” “Selected Works” “Human Fountain”
Cover:
