Presented by Monski Mouse Media
Reviewed Friday 16th March 2012
Drawing the audience into the first two rows, and encouraging them to move the seats to get in closer, Tony Roberts, with rolled up jacket sleeves, welcomes his audience to an intimate night filled with education, humour and some incredible talent.
With a live video feed projecting footage of the red velvet covered card table onto a screen behind Roberts’ head, he proceeds to give the audience a brief summary of his life and how he came to be a card illusionist. Roberts is relaxed in telling his story and also throwing in little observations about the audience and playing to their responses.
Whilst Roberts is a great comedian, the core of the show is teaching the audience a bit about gambling, whilst baffling them with his incredible illusions. With the ease that comes with having played cards since he was a child, Roberts casually lays down cards from a shuffled deck, in the sequence to fit the story he is recounting. He doesn’t use the fanfare that other magicians use; everything is done with an easy relaxed manner.
Some illusions are used to prove a point, such as his ability to read someone’s 'tell', the tiny pieces of involuntary, non-verbal communication that one gambler tries to read on another's face, using a member of the audience for assistance, whilst others are accompanied by stories, and some are purely to showcase his talent.
This show is for anyone that loves a good laugh, has ever wanted to know more about card games, or simply wants to reconnect to that magical wonder of youth where some things just can’t be explained.
Reviewed by Jade Kops, special guest Fringe Critic, Glam Adelaide
Adelaide Fringe – Tony Roberts: The Gambler
Tony Roberts
Venue: The Cupola, The Garden of Unearthly Delights, Rundle Park/Kadlitpinna, Cnr East Tce & Rundle Rd, Adelaide
Season: 10:45pm, Sunday 18th March 2012
Tickets: Adult $22, Concession $16, Fringe Benefits $20
Bookings: Fringetix 1300-FRINGE (1300-374643), their outlets, or online
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