The Illusionists

We all love Magic, and most of us don’t want to know how it’s done; we’d far rather suspend disbelief and have our breath taken away. The problem is that it’s hard to have your breath taken away when you’ve seen the illusions so many times before.  You keep waiting for something new and spectacular to happen…but it doesn’t. That’s when charisma and dynamics and personality have to compensate.

The Illusionists is a slick Las Vegas Cabaret style presentation which would be better enjoyed with a few drinks. The producers condescendingly suggest that Las Vegas has the best magic in the world and we poor peasants in Australia haven’t had a chance to see such marvels, imagining magic to be about pulling rabbits from top hats (where on earth have these producers been hiding?). Clearly they haven’t seen our own Cosentino, an illusionist superior to almost all the offerings in this show….nor do they realise we’ve seen the fabulous Dynamo and David Copperfield on TV and in person. Hey, we’ve even discovered YouTube. We are, despite their belief, quite sophisticated and educated where illusion and entertainment in general are concerned. That fact alone tends to put a dampener on the show, for expectations are not altogether met.

There’s nothing new to see here; even the “uncovered” Houdini escape, with claims to have never been seen here before, is a staple part of Cosentino’s shows. So if there’s nothing new, we at least expect the familiar to be presented in a totally new way. It’s not that the Illusionists aren’t good (indeed they are all skilled and perfect support acts)….it’s more that they aren’t great, aren’t dynamic. There is No David Copperfield, No Dynamo, No charismatic Cosentino. Tricks take too long to set up with very little surprise element at the end. There’ a lot of Las Vegas hype, excellent presentation with great lighting and staging, and the whole production is a masterful piece of marketing. The much lauded band, Z, is loud but not melodic, and Nat King Cole would turn in his grave at the truly appalling diction and fuzzy microphone style of his nephew, Eddie. Then there are the illusionists themselves:-

David Williamson (The Trickster) and Kevin James (The Inventor) excel in their close-hand work with children. We’ve seen the “pet racoon” and the “dancing paper flower” many times before, even in shopping centres and at kids’ parties, but never have we seen them done better and with such a strong connection to the kids. Both men are funny and warm and worth the ticket price.

Dan Sperry (the Anti-Conjuror), looking for all the world like Tim Burton’s worst nightmare, is the standout; not so much for the tricks (which are good but, again, not exceptional) but for a truly original persona which makes the illusions seem fresh and commands you to watch; Goth, confronting, erratic and slightly scary, he gives the show the edge it otherwise lacks. Anthony Laye (The Mentalist) gives us a long and nicely produced piece of “mindreading” with a map reference – but most of the audience in my age group (at least 60%) would remember The Amazing Kreskin from the 70s……is it a case of everything old is new again?

This is good solid entertainment if you don’t mind not being wowed. And it’s a brilliant introduction to the world of illusion for young people. But for a finale one has to look further than the “Tissue into snow” trick….especially when the “snow” blowers are clearly visible. After all Slava’s Snowshow visits our backward shores regularly. That really IS Magic.

Coral Drouyn

Note: there are two separate Illusionist productions in Australia during January 2014. Click here to read the review of the other production, Illusionists 2.0, which plays Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane.