The flag show

Many kind of moves can be done with the flag, depending on the situation, the place and the needs. The shows are made up of coreographies during the parade and during the group’s exhibition; the latter usually takes place in the squares where the group stops: in this case there are “ESERCIZI DI GRANDE SQUADRA” (large-team exhibitions), “ESERCIZI DI PICCOLA SQUADRA” (little-team exhibitions) and other more difficult performances: “SCHERMAGLIE” (duels), “ESERCIZI DI COPPIA” (duos) and “SINGOLI” (solos). The “schermaglie” simulate a fight between two “sbandieratori”, as if they had swords instead of flags, while in a “singolo” one performer shows his ability by “fighting” against the flag, that symbolises the evil destiny.

Solos

 

"Tecnico" (technical) with 2 flags (Lucio).

lasts ab. 4 mins.

Starting with one flag then using another one, in this exercise you can appreciate the high quality of the technique and the accuracy of one of the most expert members of our group.

 

"Rapido" (fast) with 3 or 4 flags (Andrea).

lasts ab. 5 mins.

This exercise is very rapid and aggressive; the speed makes it very spectacular, but the difficulty increases very much, for faster is the rhythm and more difficult is the control of the flag.

“Tecnico” (technical) with 5 flags (Silvano).

lasts 5 mins.

It is a particular solo with numerous and very difficult moves in which the flags are driven even with the feet.Because of the accuracy this exercise needs, the greatest enemy (as it happens in most part of “Il Cassero”’s performances) is the wind.

“Forza 10”, with 10 flags (Andrea).

lasts ab. 7/8 mins.

As you can imagine this exercise requires a great physical effort; it is characterised from a technical (but quite fast) first part with one flag, then the flags become two, three, four, then five, six to ten flags. After, the flag are given back with an accurate coreography and the exercise ends when Andrea has only one flags: the audience has already exhibited with a burst of applause.

Andrea Magi, leader of the “sbandieratori”, in his moment of greatest effort.

 

Duos

The traditional duo

Andrea/Silvano (the throw show). 

lasts 4/5 mins.

From the point of view of spectacularity this duo comes off very well when the audience is close to the exhibition place, because the “sbandieratori” perform very powerful exchanges.The technique is not the finest, but the throws are very dangerous because of their height.

  Schermaglia (the duel)

Cesare/Gianni.

A spectacular exercise that mixes classic moves with acrobatic elements.

Team exercises:

“Tuttinsieme” (All together), indefinite number.

lasts 5/6 min.

This is the first of the team exercises, simple and based on synchrony; it can be performed by an illimitate number of people because there is no flag exchanges between the “sbandieratori”; only the basic technique is required.

“In otto” (eight people).

lasts 6’30’’.

This exercise is more complicated than the previous one; it consists of the formation of several geometric figures (triangles, squares, circles and hexagones); moreover, there are many flag exchanges and flag throws with exchange of place, that carry a higher difficulty. It is very attractive, especially if it is seen from above.

“Piccola squadra a due bandiere” (little team exhibition with two flags).

lasts 5 mins.

It is usually carried out from six people plus one that makes “the surprising end”. At the beginning each performer has one flag, later each one comes to have two; a circular coreography is drawn, through particular exchanges and moves; after that, everyone comes back to have one flag; wonderful exchanges are performed, with the flags crossing among themselves; it ends with the final surprise.

"Gradara” (8/10 people exercise).

 lasts 8/9 mins.

This exercise takes its name from the city of Gradara, where it has been performed for the first time; it is one of the most beautiful of our repertoire; it is composed of a series of passages that require a high level of technique and strength, plus accuracy. Actually this exercise can be performed only by the expert members of the group; it begins with the formation of a particular geometric figure, similar to a fan, then with athletic moves the team forms a circle; from here a very long series of crossing flag exchanges at a high rate of difficulty is made. It is extremely hard to explain this exercise also because of the number of moves and the rapidity of their succession. However, this is the exercise our group loves most, because thanks to it we won important prizes.

“Cortona” (9 people exhibition).

lasts 8/9 mins.

Also this exhibition carries the name of the first city it has been performed in; also in this case accuracy and synchrony of moves are very important; there are very complicated flag crossings and, as a great end, a wonderful series of exchanges with one performer at the centre and the other eight forming a circle around him.

Exercises in movement (during the parade)

Simple:

This one takes place in the streets and can be always performed, in any condition: only our three basic moves that lead to the simultaneous flag throw.

“Palio”

After a series of synchronised moves, there are particular throws and exchanges by which one “sbandieratore” has two flags and another none: peculiar moves are made, then all the members come back to have one flag.

“Monte”

At the beginning it is the same of the previous one, but in this case everyone receives two flags, one “sbandieratore” a time. Very attractive because the flags are thrown many times.

“A tre”

It consists of difficult exchanges between three performers during the parade. It is even more difficult if the parade must go through narrow streets or at worst if there are banners between the buildings; the level of difficulty rises so much that in some cases it is not performed to preserve the audience’s safety.

“Palio 2000”

The most recent one, actually it has been performed for the first time in June 2000, during the parade of the “Palio” in Castiglion Fiorentino; it contains new moves and exchanges that enrich the repertoire of our group.

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