Canberra
Theatre until 16th December 2015
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
Currently
playing at the Canberra Theatre, “The Illusionists 1903” is an elegant
recreation of the golden age of the art of stage magic. Acres of red velvet, elegant costumes, a live
band, and cast of highly skilled and persuasive magicians recreate famous classic
illusions which continue to delight and intrigue willing audiences.
 |
| Jinger Leigh |
Mark Kalin, the
Showman, managed to chop his lovely assistant, Jinger Leigh, in halves, then
put her back together again without either losing so much as a drop of blood. Which
was a relief, because Jinger had already become an audience favourite with her
graceful act manipulating a floating glass ball.
Krendl, the Escapologist, demonstrated one of Houdini’s most famous feats by managing to escape from chains while suspended upside down in a glass tank of water. Charlie Frye, The Eccentric, somewhat hindered by his less-than-helpful assistant, Sherry, managed to get himself into an impossible tangle of silver hoops, then hilariously avoided impending disaster as Sherry did her upmost to sabotage his complicated juggling act.
Amelie van
Tass of The Clairvoyants charmed with her ability to identify objects borrowed
from audience members and held aloft by Thommy Ten, and then later both stunned
the audience with a beautiful levitation act which had Amelie floating high
above the stage before disappearing in a flash, right before our eyes.
 |
| Dwayne, Dana Daniels, audience member |
The
Charlatan, Dana Daniels, also received little help from his assistant, a bored
dove called Dwayne, who had the audience in stitches, as trick after trick
threatened to go awry. “Well it’s only a bird” Daniels had to remind his
audience.
Perhaps the most charming act of all was performed not by a human but by a marionette called The Grand Carlini, who despite his strings performed illusions with all the panache of a master magician.
There were
many more highlights in this impeccably produced show in which all the
participants are masters of their art. Each has honed their skills over years
of performing.
“The Illusionists 1903”
is a graceful reminder of the power of the eye to deceive the mind, and is
thoroughly recommended for every member of your family.