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| Michael Boyd and company in "Circus of Illusion" |
Produced and
directed by Michael Boyd,
Canberra
Theatre, 16th January 2022.
Matinee
performance reviewed by Bill Stephens.
The art of
the illusionist has continued to attract audiences for as long as there has
been circuses and theatres in which to ply their skills. The audience knows
what it’s seeing is a trick, but doesn’t care, and certainly doesn’t want to
know, how it is achieved, just happy to go along with the flim-flam and be
amazed.
Certainly
when the illusionist is as accomplished in his skills as Michael Boyd, the
producer and star of “Circus of Illusion” there is plenty to be amazed about.
Performed in
a cheerful circusy setting of bright red banners and festoon lights, enhanced
by a sophisticated lighting plot and excellent sound, Michael Boyd performs a
succession of eye-popping illusions, surrounded by four attractively costumed
dancers, Tori Monke, Pip Kelte, Jack Evans and Tyrone Anthony, who besides
performing a series of neatly choreographed production numbers, also doubled as
assistants and eye-candy for the illusions. Two versatile world-class circus
specialty artists, Tara Boom and Tro Griffiths, together with a very funny Ringmaster,
Idris Stanbury, who just happens to come from Canberra, completed the cast.
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| Michael Boyd and assistant in "Circus of Illusion". |
During the
fast-moving two hours of the slickly produced show, Boyd manages to escape from
a locked trunk, survive being suspended atop a sharp sword, have a young woman
crawl through his body, and during a jungle sequence even escape an apparatus
equipped with fearsome axes to appear unscathed at the back of the theatre,
much to the relief of the many young members of the audience who cheer lustily
as he returned to the stage. But perhaps
his most beautiful illusion involved two ballerinas, one of whom danced
prettily en-pointe before the other appeared magically in a giant music box to
join her.
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| Idris Stanton in "Circus of Illusion" |
A rather
unconventional ringmaster, Idris Stanbury, quickly had the predominantly young
audience in thrall at the beginning of the show, as he rehearsed them in how to
respond appropriately to the acts. His
goofy, wide-eyed responses drew paroxysms of laughter as demonstrated his
prowess at percussion juggling (you’ll have to see that for yourself if you
want to know what it is) and his attempts at rock stardom.
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| Tro Griffiths in "Circus of Illusion" |
Beefy,
heavily tattooed strongman, Tro Griffiths, stunned with his grace and agility
performing contortionist handstands in the first act, and then later performing
extraordinary manoeuvres on a shiny apparatus which looked like a giant bubble
maker. Cheeky Tara Boom delighted with her skills with the hula hoop, and later
gracefully foot-juggling four Japanese parasols, an accomplishment which
elicited loud cheers from her audience.
The Covid
restriction preventing audience members from going up on stage provided an
unexpected bonus when Ms. Boom found herself unexpectedly called into service
to assist Idris Stanley add authenticity to his rock star impersonation by
wind-blowing his scarf with a garden leaf-blower. This task reduced her to hopeless giggling at
his antics. Then later, when called upon
to assist Michael Boyd with his levitating table routine, she looked just as
fascinated as the rest of the audience as to how this trick was achieved.
“That was
totally Awesome!” a young audience member exclaimed loudly to his mates as they
left the theatre. I wouldn’t disagree with that assessment.
Photos supplied.
This review first published in the digital edition of CITY NEWS on 17.01.22