The Illusionists amazes, entertains and dazzles
The Illusionists, Broadway Across Canada
The show bursts onto the stage with lights flashing, smoke, mirrors and a large video screen proclaiming that the spectacle of The Illusionists is beginning.
Las Vegas style entertainment, particularly when emcee/comedian/magician Jeff Hobson is on stage, the aim is to dazzle as well as to entertain. Outfitted in Liberace-type costumes, he uses somewhat off-colour humour to maintain the show’s momentum. But he certainly contributes a fair amount of sparkle.
Yet, the most charming moment of the show is the segment when Kevin James, the Inventor, crouches to work with a little girl from the audience, teaching her to move a crumpled ball of tissue — eventually forming it into a paper rose which is soon transformed into a live bloom. Some of James’ other illusions, especially one in which a person is apparently divided into two half-beings and then reassembled, are particularly intriguing.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Goodwin, the Daredevil, tips the hat to Houdini as he escapes from a straitjacket in just 60 seconds, Colin Cloud, the Deductionist, reads the minds of participating audience members and An Ha Lim, the Manipulator, demonstrates amazing dexterity with playing cards.
The Illusionists sets out to amaze, to entertain and to dazzle. It certainly meets its goals much of the time — all the time for the majority, judging from the enthusiasm and delight of the audience on opening night.
The Illusionists continues at the National Arts Centre to April 1.
Creative director: Jim Millan
Director/Creative producer: Neil Dorward
Illusion director: Mark Kallin
Designer: Don Wayne
Lighting: Paul Smith
Video designer: NICE Studios
Costumes: Angela Aaron
Cast:
The Deductionist……………………………Colin Cloud
The Daredevil……………………………….Jonathan Goodwin
The Trickster………………………………..Jeff Hobson
The Inventor…………………………………Kevin James
The Manipulator…………………………….An Ha Lim
Magicians’ assistants……Antonio Hayos, De’Niko Maurice Welch, Sabine Van Diemen