Now You See Me Live

Based on the Now You See Me films and characters created by Boaz Yakin and Edward Ricourt, this stage adaptation from the producers of The Illusionists sits squarely in the realm of son-et-lumière magic, where the accent is on spectacle. With a stage bursting with sophisticated lighting, sleek modern props, electronic gizmos, oversized screens and an effective musical soundtrack, the modern world of gadgetry and illusion is on full display - quite literally throwing everything it has at your senses.

Fortunately, there’s a personable human touch to anchor all this technological wizardry. Co-creator Adam Trent steps in as the opening compere, warming up the audience with well-timed humour and an easy charm. At the same time, a roving cameraman captures the action up close, projecting it onto a large screen above the stage. It’s part theatre, part live cinema, and it works well.

The show features four magicians - and a flurry of back-stage staff - each bringing a distinct specialty, ensuring variety throughout. There’s big visual spectacle, moments of more intimate, almost conversational magic, and a generous sprinkling of audience participation to keep the energy lively and occasionally unpredictable.

As the production tours, the cast can vary by location. Here in Brisbane, Trent delivers a series of playful, comedy-driven routines, heavily reliant on audience involvement. His Coke-can segment alone is worth a mention (and no, you still won’t guess how it’s done). Italian escapologist Andrew Basso channels the spirit of Houdini with a series of genuinely death-defying stunts that make you hold your breath and briefly question your own life choices. Gabriella Lester, originally from South Africa but seemingly everywhere at once on the international circuit, proves herself a versatile illusionist, excelling in clever disappearing acts and delivering a striking techno-infused routine that opens Act Two. Spain’s Pablo Canovas rounds out the cast with mind-bending tricks that see him apparently in one place while simultaneously being somewhere else. Confused? You will be - and that’s half the fun.

While many magic shows lean heavily on the familiar “guess-how-it’s-done” routine (and yes, there’s plenty of that here), this production offers more than just the puzzle. Its strength lies in presentation: a polished fusion of lighting, 'smoke-and-mirrors', and an impressively contemporary technical design all intertwined with a personable touch. There are quite a few creatives behind this project - too many to mention here - and it shows. This is a slick, well-rehearsed international production where every illusion is carefully framed for maximum impact.

After all, showbiz is all about illusion and this production demonstrates how it is done without showing you how it is done, if you catch my drift! 

It’s an enjoyable night out for the whole family, particularly fans of magic, theatre, and any aspiring magicians keen to see how the art-form has embraced the digital age yet still keeping its secrets firmly under wraps.

Brian Adamson

Photographer:  Cameron Grant