Day in Pompeii Parts III & IV
juddWell folks, we wrapped up the final of our Day in Pompeii shows for the corresponding exhibit at the WA Museum and it was undoubtedly some of our finest work.
Pictures are up for our Third and Fourth shows.
The ebb and flow of a great show is something that’s usually quite hard to put your finger on but one thing is for certain, you know it when you see it.
The grand entrance of Senator Titus and his Domina (and accompanying Praetorian Guardsmen), the Processori (introduction of the Gladiators) and the brutal (and quick) bloodshed of the captured barbarians killing each other in the arena are always quick to get the audience into things.
Along with the introductions and brief descriptions of weaponry and armour, there is also the explanation of how the crowd is meant to help the good Senator Titus decide whether a gladiator lives or dies after they’ve yielded in a fight.
Instead of just thumbs up or down (like a movie review) it’s thumb sideways (lives) and down (dies) and a surprising amount of the crowd proves themselves quite bloodthirsty in demanding that the losing gladiators, who have lost their favour so, be put to a quick and honourable death.
A myriad of different fights presented a wide range of fighting styles and deathly blows, from the heavy-on-heavy of two gargantuan Murmillos pummeling each other, to the lithe and nimble Retiarius slashing and spearing the Dimachara (two swords) or a Thracean or two. There’s even a captured Dacean fighter that proves himself quite well with his native chopping spear, the Falx, while he leaps and chops his way through his fellow captives, fighting his way towards freedom… or a glorious death in the arena.
All up, a wonderful series of shows, and an exhibit that’s closing soon, so you should definitely check it out!