By Peter Maddern
Perhaps like pole dancing, performing magic tricks too has elevated itself beyond its trashy origins – travelling circus shows and hucksters – to legitimate theatre. The Illusionists, which opened last night at the Festival Theatre brings together seven of the world’s best in a daunting, haunting, big bang extravaganza of magic (now referred to, in polite circles as ‘illusion’.)
Judging by the cross-section of the general populace there, The Illusionists will appeal to just about everyone. Kids will revel in wonderment, parents will relive their own childhood joys of seeing magic and even the cynical will leave impressed – the showmanship just kept coming and coming. Birds, eggs, women, razor blades, glitter appear, disappear and then reappear, often after being sliced and diced. Audience members become active participants and once one’s focus shifts from trying to work out how it all happens, sheer pleasure settles in.
Acting as well as MC, the Trickster (Jeff Hobson) delighted with his camp wit and self deprecation, never ceasing to amaze with the extra twists to his acts. The Anti-Conjurer (Dan Sperry) combined all manner of props, some with very sharp edges, with a certain gothic menace, producing perhaps the highlight comedy piece of the evening with his Russian Roulette trick with audience member, Jennifer.
And while much on show could allow one to sit back and say ‘yeah, keep it going mate’, the Escapologist’s water barrel routine, in a homage to the great Harry Houdini, just before the interval will bring you anxiously forward on your seat. Struggling upside down in water for what seemed increasingly like an eternity (indeed it went well over three minutes) gets you going and I was relieved that in the shadows there was a fireman ready with an axe (though I have no idea just quite why he needed to wear the gear for dealing with an inferno.)
Perhaps the disappointing act of the night was the Grand Illusionist, who after strutting centre stage in the promos sustains a relatively low key role in the show. Not that his tricks weren’t spellbinding – featuring levitating women and big motor cycles – and leftie types no doubt were ready to hold him up as their hero when he mangled and ripped an edition of The Australian before their eyes, only to let them down massively but having it reappear moments later in tack.
As mentioned, The Illusionists is much more than cheap magic trickery even if some of the audience dressed for opening night like they were going to a late night Fringe show in a tent in the Garden of Unearthly Delights. The ‘how did they do that?’ sensation will follow you home and be with you for days. It’s a winner for the summer.
Recent Comments