The entirely new cast of performers were, on the whole, skilful and entertaining but the production lacked sufficient polish and was not consistently awe-inspiring to warrant effusive praise.
Seven magicians from around the world, each with a stage name that indicates the type of magic or illusion that he specialises in, performed mind-bending acts of magic and illusion over two hours.
Korean Yu Ho-Jin was billed as The Manipulator and his card prestidigitation was the evening’s highlight. Yu Ho-Jin won first prize at the 2012 International Federation of Magic Societies World Championship of Magic and his award-winning skill was apparent in a breathtakingly elegant and magical performance.
The Futurist, American Adam Trent, was a standout performer. One of the highlights of the evening occurred when he gave a glimpse of what magic might be like in the future by seamlessly and creatively interacting with the video content shown on two large screens on stage. Each of his appearances on stage demonstrated that this charming, intelligent and witty performer could have a future as an entertainer, even without the benefit of his magician’s skills.
Dr Scott Lewis, accurately, yet dully, styled as The Hypnotist, hypnotised almost 30 audience members during the interval and then made them do silly things when the second Act began. The shenanigans of the hypnotised entertained the crowd but this segment was fairly mundane and uninventive.
Adelaide’s own Raymond Crowe, styled as The Unusualist successfully combined vaudevillian skills, audience participation and magic to get the audience laughing. His remarkable shadow-puppetry performed to the tune of Louis Armstrong’s What A Wonderful World provided an up-lifting closing to the show.
Luis de Mato, the Master Magician, performed a few tricks and compered the evening satisfactorily. The stage direction was uninspiring and plodding; most noticeably when the magicians, in ensemble, were required to walk or stand purposelessly around the stage. Four dancers dressed like extras in a poorly funded sci-fi series appeared spasmodically on stage preforming routines that were passable but unnecessary. The premiere performance started almost 20 minutes late and there were reports that not all patrons were given 3D glasses and an envelope that was used as part of an audience participation trick.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide
