Adelaide Fringe

Fringe Review: Raymond Crowe – UNUSUALISM

Raymond Crowe – a true master of his art in a show that will leave you feeling warm.

5

Presented by: alist.com.au
Reviewed 22 February 2022

Raymond Crowe. There really isn’t anyone quite like him. He titles himself as an ‘unusualist’ – part illusionist and a whole lot of unusual. He likes to twist the abnormal, the different and the strange elements of the world and explore them to the nth degree. And yes, he certainly does do this in UNUSUALISM, his 2022 offering for the Fringe. However, Raymond Crowe is so much more, and so is this show. It has heart. It leaves you feeling warm. It awakens that little child in you where the impossible is actually possible. Unlike some “modern” magicians that go for the daring tricks, cheap jokes and shock, Raymond tips his hat and honours those that have laid the path before him. He is a sensational performer. I attended his Tuesday evening performance with my 6 year old daughter, who did insist on sitting in the front row. I’m glad we sat where we did, because seeing Raymond work up close was mesmerising. 

From performing as part of UK’s Royal Variety Performance, The Illusionists Live On Broadway, to appearing as a finalist on Australia’s Got Talent, Raymond Crowe has toured the world with his own unique brand of magic. I personally first discovered Raymond Crowe many years ago, when he performed alongside the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra at a Christmas concert in the Festival Theatre. I have always loved magic, but there was something about his performance that has stuck with me all these years later.

UNUSUALISM features a vast array of illusions, including sleight of hand tricks, ventriloquism, card tricks, bubbles….the list of what he packs into an hour is mind-blowing. He is a master of his craft. Each illusion is well rehearsed, slick and executed perfectly. He captures and emulates the vaudevillian performers of years gone by. It was Raymond’s final act of the night that has left his mark on the world – a hand shadow piece performed to the Louis Armstrong classic, What a Wonderful World. Positioned amidst the audience, Raymond weaves his magic as his hands create shadows on a giant screen. Seeing Raymond work at close quarters is worth the ticket price alone.

Do yourself a favour and add UNUSUALISM to your “must see” list. Experience illusions that will leave you questioning what you just witnessed.

Raymond Crowe’s 2022 Adelaide Fringe show, UNUSUALISM will be playing at The Box in the Garden Of Unearthly Delights until Sunday 20 March. Tickets through FringeTix or at https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/raymond-crowe-unusualism-af2022

Reviewed by: Ben Stefanoff
Twitter: @theartsislife

Venue: The Box at The Garden of Unearthly Delights
Season: Until Sunday March 20 2022
Duration: 1 hour
Tickets: From $25
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/raymond-crowe-unusualism-af2022

Rating out of 5: 5

#Adelaide #ADLFringe #livetheatreadelaide #supportthearts #magic

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