3-Minute Midway: Poema-Perfect Landings Seal the Deal

There's a great You Tube of the Poema act on Kelly-Miller Circus, the act itself finely staged and integrated into what I believe is their western production number. Little dude Adrian Jr., a great showman who has a life of high laughter and applause ahead of him, scores well, all the way through. Loved one of his interactive bits with ringmaster John. Very funny. Direction this year helps deepen the comic character in Adrian's Hannefordian soul. My only quibble with this well developed act -- it needs just a little something more at the very end, a little more punch or zing.

The family's stately risely landings (feet to feet) are what seal the deal. During the copy-editing phases recently for my forthcoming book, Inside the Changing Circus: A Critic's Guide to the Show, I added a paragraph on what I call "precision landings" to a chapter where I discuss the elements of a first rate circus act. Seeing the Poemas makes me glad I did.

Strong precision landings on the feet, when sure and masterfully erect -- do seal the deal. Gusto. Control. Vertically victorious posture ... Yes! They put the frosting on top of the frosting.