ARTICLE
The Oohs and Aahs when Watching The Illusionists!
By Flora / 07 May 2016 (Saturday)
It felt as if we were watching the Four Horsemen from Now You See Me, live! But instead of four magicians, we were treated with seven illusionists, showcasing their mind-blowing magical acts at the premiere of The Illusionists - Live from Broadway.
The world’s best-selling touring magic show promises to dazzle, excite, and delight audience with its mind-blowing illusions and spectacular magic, and boy, it sure kept it promise.
Like any inquisitive, skeptical adult, you might be wondering how these tricks were executed so flawlessly; or worse, trying to pinpoint the seemingly ‘unnatural’ visual cues from the magicians.
In this writer’s opinion, it’s okay to be doubtful and curious with whatever that is presented to you, but by dwelling too much into its mechanics and finding out the science behind it, it’s going to ruin the experience.
The Illusionists - Live From Broadway
Date: 6 - 15 May 2016
Venue: Sands Theatre, MasterCard Theatres at MBS
Ticket Pricing: $55 - $165
(Book your tickets!)
The Master Magician
What It Is: Luis is like the leader of the troupe who doubles as the host during the live performances. He introduces the team, ‘reveals’ the secret of the famous scarf changing/disappearing act, and leads the crowd in a step-by-step trick that each audience member can participate.
What We Thought: The instructional magic trick just before intermission had to be one of the highlights from the show. To witness a thousand-strong crowd gasping at their personal outcome from the trick that they took part in, was simply impressive. It definitely had everyone talking about it during the 20-minute break.
The Manipulator
What It Is: Youngest in the group is Korean sleight of hand artist Kim Hyun Joon. At age 24, he has won multiple awards at international competitions with his masterful card manipulation techniques. Look out for the last act from Kim, who gives a delightful shoutout to Singapore.
Kim talked to InCinemas, sharing with us how he joined the ‘dream team’. “I love The Illusionists so much! I’ve knew this show a long time ago and really hoped to join them. It was a dream come true when the producers invited me to join the team 2 years ago.”
What We Thought: His acts are best viewed up-close in an intimate setting. While the large theatre may not be an ideal place for Kim to flaunt his skills at his best, luckily for the live camera feed and the large LED screen on stage, audiences will be able to enjoy his articulate performance.
You might wanna bring this one to the casino!
The Clairvoyants
What It Is: Mind-reading mentalist duo Thommy Ten and Amelie van Tass go around the theatre, asking audience members to take an item from their bag and whatever Ten holds on his palm, his partner on stage will be able to name the item correctly. Talk about telepathy!
What We Thought: We couldn’t help but wonder how this pair managed to correctly name any and every single item that was on Ten’s palm, when Tass, who was blindfolded on stage, even managed to read out a series of numbers from a S$2-dollar note!
You know how you used to trick your school friends with the classic ‘Black Magic’ trick? Well that, times a million times more complicated, and that’s what you’ll get from The Clairvoyance.
(Note to organisers: Can we keep them till the next 9-million Toto draw?)
The Alchemist
What It Is: Charming Leonardo Bruno is the Alchemist, pulling out some of history’s greatest and classic magic tricks, such as breathing life to an origami bunny made from a piece of napkin, and turning an inanimate flower to a fully-bloomed rose.
What We Thought: Coming from a family of magicians, Bruno sure knows how to charm the audience, especially a girl’s heart with his romantic tricks and of course, with that dreamy smile.
The Escapologist
What It Is: Making the impossible possible is Krendl, the Escapologist. Tied, trapped and on the brink of death, Krendl has to break free of his condition within a period of time in order to survive.
What We Thought: If Bruno (Alchemist) send hearts fluttering, Krendl gives us a heart attack. Host Luis sets the tone of his act as highly-dangerous and life-threatening, and shows us a couple of video clips of master magician Harry Houdini’s famous ‘The Water Torture Cell’. We are then presented with a live version of Krendl attempting the death-defying stunt.
Kids, NEVER do this at home.
The Eccentric
What It Is: More than just a clown on the show, Charlie Frye and Company is the all-round entertainer that combines silent comedy, magic, juggling, slapstick and acrobatics all into one.
During our interview with Frye, he shared with InCinemas one of the incidents he had during a performance that landed him in the hospital.
“I’ve been injured many times on stage. One of the more serious ones was that one time when I hurt myself with the spinning metal plate. The audience thought it was part of the act but right after the show, I was rushed straight to the hospital. Looking at my application form, the nurse at the hospital said ‘So you are a gigolo.’ ‘No no, I am a juggler, not a gigolo.'," he shared.
What We Thought: They say it’s always harder to make someone laugh than it is to make them cry, but for Frye and his assistant, it didn’t look like it was the case. With his exaggerated expressions and his precise choreography, the little ones and even adults can’t help but laugh and giggle along.
The Enigma
What It Is: One of the finalist of Australia’s Got Talent, Sam Powers the Enigma, marvels with his large stage magic props - making people (his assistant, mainly) appear and disappear in the blink of an eye… literally!
What We Thought: Everything about The Enigma spells 'Wow'. If you’re looking for big-scaled stage magic, Powers and his assistant will amaze you with their acts, making you wanting more.