WICKERMOSS: The Illusionists- Live from Broadway: Review & Media/Press Call

The Illusionists Live from Broadway Review & Media/Press Call

i've considered magic like an endless RAINBOW COLORED yarn, cradled by a cat, purring with gusto - not because of its flirty illusion but MORE OF the delusion.

Been loaded this month of May hence the absence, sorry guys! Anyhoo, I've been waiting for The Illusionists - Live from Broadway since December of last year but then it was moved for a couple of months and when I got the invite for the media/press call, I was stoked.

Now while I'm not one who is into magic shows, there was something unique about this show that I was really itching to witness it myself. An assemblage of the 8 of the world's greatest illusionists is an enough reason right?

This dynamic group (7 men and a female to be exact), came from different corners of the globe and touted as the world's best-selling magic show. A night wherein they ply in their exquisite talents that left us mind boggled and spell bound.

Blending a myriad of mind reading, sleight of hand card tricks, water torture cell act, levitation and the whatnot - I was mindfucked! The humour, enthusiasm and jarring energy with which the show rockets through its world class artists are in full measure to keep it peppy and entertaining for a good two hour or so.

Are you still wondering how the rabbit came out of the hat? Sorry to ruin prospects, but The Illusionist is not your typical granny magic show. For once, you can strike off the Broadway and think of all the flamboyant things that Vegas could bring and you still get The Illusionists' charm. In a show that is regarded by the New York Times as a “high-tech magic extravaganza”, watch eight magicians perform feats of grand illusion, levitation, mind-reading, disappearance, as well as a water torture escape.

The likes of the Charlie Fray (The Eccentric), Krendl (The Escapologist), Thommy Ten & Amelie van Tass (The Clairvoyants), Leonardo Bruno (The Alchemist), Sam Powers (The Enigma), Hyun Joon Kim (The Manipulator) and Luis de Matos (The Master Magician) performed with finesse that augmented the audience anticipation for more illusions, trickery and magic.

Highlights of the show include:

A representation of the famous Houdini act: The Water Torture Cell/Escape Stunt by The Escapologist (Krendl). Witnessing the struggle of a man submerged upside down underwater is no illusion or trick. No curtains involved! Krendl will have you gripping the edge of your seat and biting your nails till its thrilling conclusion. How long will he be able to hold his breath? Definitely not for the faint-hearted noh?

CREDITS TO THE ILLUSIONISTS LIVE FROM BROADWAY*

The Eccentric (Charlie Frye) is a breath of fresh air. Genuine laughter and amazement filled the entire Mastercard Theater whenever he’s up on stage. Charlie’s caprice is something you’d need in an intense show like this. You can’t miss his favorite assistant, aka his lovely wife Sherry as she share the same stage (and a few stunts) with him.

the eccentric - charlie frye

The Manipulator (Hyun Joon Kim) did the card tricks seamlessly, bringing the audience to a zen-like state. He’s the most introverted of the bunch but a real stand-out.

the manipulator - hyun joon kim

The Master Magician (Luis de Matos) is touted as the leader of the pack. One of the most respected magicians, Louis hails from Portugal and acts as the main anchor of the show. He always like to the push the boundaries of every possibility of magic on and off stage. He possess that perfect recipe of cooking up magic, entertainment and laughter into one extravagant show.

the master magician - luis de matos

CREDITS TO THE ILLUSIONISTS LIVE FROM BROADWAY*

The Enigma (Sam Powers), one of Australia’s Got Talent Finalists surely charms up the stage not just with his handsome looks but with his ability of making people appear and disappear in the blink of an eye.

the enigma - sam powers

As much as I’d like to contest on this idea of things vanishing – Sam made an actual train appear right before our very eyes during the afternoon press/media preview. For a moment, I thought I was transported to Hogwarts.

The Alchemist (Leonardo Bruno), the master levitator and an innovative illusionist from Mexico. Expect the classic magic trick to come out from this guy. His act is similar to reading a fairy-tale book – it gives you that “and they lived happily ever after” feeling of satisfaction. A true prince charming, don’t you think?

the alchemist - leonardo bruno (MIDDLE*)

CREDITS TO THE ILLUSIONISTS LIVE FROM BROADWAY*

The Clairvoyants (Thommy Ten & Amelie van Tass), mentalism at its finest. A power couple who engage in mind reading – from dropping serial numbers of a $2 note to the batch code of a lip gloss. Audience were literally hooked on their stunt that they could actually run the whole show themselves and no one will complain.

the clairvoyants - thommy ten & amelie van tass

CREDITS TO THE ILLUSIONISTS LIVE FROM BROADWAY*

The illusionists exhibited their true craft but the show really belonged to the audience. The white envelope placed on our arm rest that says "DO NOT OPEN" wowed us by experiencing the magic on our own hands; I've surely heard a lot of No Ways and WTF moments all around me.

There is a sense of jaw-dropping reveals evident in every act of The Illusionists. It represents a reason of why we go to any magic show: to witness the impossible. Surely the fun of each and every illusion does not require full disclosure but The Illusionists has definitely taken magic shows into a different level.

CAST

Krendl – The Escapologist
Thommy Ten & Amelie van Tass - The Clairvoyants

Charlie Frye - The Eccentric

Hyun Joon Kim - The Manipulator

Sam Powers - The Enigma

Leonardo Bruno– The Alchemist

Luis de Matos - The Master Magician

Thanks for looking♡

DISCLAIMER: Author was invited to the press/media call/opening night show. All opinions and thoughts expressed in this post are her own and remain 100% uninfluenced. All images are the property of wickeRmoss unless stated otherwise. Use of these images without any consent is prohibited.