Presented by Adelaide Festival Centre, Tim Lawson & Simon Painter
Reviewed 16 January 2015
For centuries, audiences have been fascinated by magic. The art of illusion continually captives with the ‘how did they do that?’ question still boggling minds.
A reason why we seem intrigued by this entertaining art form is due to our perceptions. Do we truly believe what our eyes have seen? Do these magicians really have amazing powers? All of this has been in good fun with even the most-seen tricks managing to still raise smiles. Encompassing several new and old tricks, The Illusionists 1903 does an excellent job in teasing our senses.
The third stage outing for the increasingly popular The Illusionists franchise, The Illusionists 1903 differs slightly from its predecessors. That isn’t a bad thing as the calibre of artists is still top-notch. Geared very much towards a family audience, their acts amaze instead of offend.
Billed as a tribute to ‘magic’s golden age in 1903’ – the show’s title immediately becomes clear. Before the age of television, movies and radio, vaudeville stage acts were the main form of social entertainment. The late 19th/early 20th Centuries saw a deluge of weird, wonderful and always colourful acts to amuse and beguile audiences. In a less cynical age where audiences were happy to be startled as well as entertained, theatrical geniuses and charlatans alike eagerly traded their wares.
Amidst this glowing ode to a bygone era, eight of the world’s popular acts have combined their talents. From the elegant visual trickery of Rick ‘The Immortal’ Thomas to Charlie Frye’s charmingly amusing turn as The Eccentric, each effectively display their talents. Their fellow performers include The Daredevil, The Showman, The Conjuress, The Clairvoyants, and The Maestro. All convey a sense of fun whilst taking their art seriously.
It’s a fine balance in creating drama without becoming too morose, which each act does with ease. They especially show their versatility when asking audiences to join them in their many acts. The spontaneity of the audience’s reactions only added to the magical hilarity, although never at the expense of joining in the performer’s bedazzling merriment.
Split in two halves, the entire show was enjoyable from start to finish. The first act featured various feats such as the obligatory person-sawed-in-half routine, amusing card tricks, an eye-watering display on a bed of nails, and many other amazing exploits. The second half featured more audience participation and a chance for each individual performer to let rip with their specialist act.
Of particular note was seeing The Daredevil hang upside-down in a straight-jacket with his pants on fire! Even then one had the urge to lean forward as closely as possible to wonder how on earth such a thing could be attempted. Much eye squinting also ensued during The Immortal’s levitation performance to see where the wires were. Of course none could be seen, once again leaving the viewer to ponder how the trick was pulled off.
There were literally dozens of amazing spectacles to be seen and it would be churlish to reveal more. After the somewhat cramped confines of the pre-refurbished Her Majesty’s Theatre of last year’s The Illusionists show, it was pleasure seeing it return to the Festival Theatre. The theatre feels like its natural home with plenty of space to hold the many larger-than-life performances.
The quality of the acts was better and combined to make a complete entertainment package. They all made a real effort in keeping within the parameters of the title’s format by taking the allure of magic back to its purest form. Mostly free of modern technological pyrotechnics, the new twists on classic material relied more on instinct than computerised innovation. Mention must go to the staging and music which was sublime, with the musical interludes as quirky and bewitching as the visions of mystical mayhem.
All should be proud of this latest addition to The Illusionists series. Fun for all ages and well worth attending, it makes one look forward to where this captivating theatrical event goes next.
Reviewed by: Patrick Moore
Twitter: @PatrickMoore14
Venue: Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: 15 – 25 January 2015
Duration: 2hrs, 5 mins.
Tickets: $59.90 – $99.90
Bookings: Book online through the Adelaide Festival Centre website or phone BASS on 131 246
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