Above: This Australian Premiere tour’s ‘Four Horsemen’ : Andrew Basso, Adam Trent, Gabriella Lester and Enzo Weyne. Featured image: slight of hand specialist magician and cast member Gabriella Lester. Images: Ken Leanfore.
The successful Lionsgate film Franchise – with the 2013 film Now You See Me starring our own Isla Fisher only last month being given a sequel: Now You See Me : Now You Don’t – now has a spin off stage show that has teleported slick, entertaining, sassy cast into the Sydney Opera House. This is a vivid, dynamic illusionist and magic show for all ages that is as hot and varied as this December’s Sydney weather. It is presented by Sydney Opera House in association with Tim Lawson & Simon Painter.
From the creators of the popular and enduring Broadway Hit The Illusionist, the packaging of a variety of magic, from high-tech illusion through edge-of-the-seat illusions right up to super impressive slight of hand and mind trick dazzles.
Despite the professionalism, pyrotechnics and capable conjuring of these impressive four international stars of their individual fields the show contains very tangible and real card-handfuls of warmth, charisma and personality. The cast’s ability to interact with the crowd members one at a time or for joint magic en masse was a wonder on its own.
Above: Escape specialist Andrew Basso. Image: Ken Leanfore.
This magic with a winning smile will ensure the success of this franchise’s live promotion as it makes its way breathtakingly from Sydney (Dec 19- Jan 3) and thence thrillingly to Brisbane, Perth and ending in Singapore (from Feb 20 to March 1).
The momentum and constant shifts in theatrical, stage, illusion or entertainment style with one up to all cast members and support team before us at any one time make for a memorable event with lots of laughs, banter, bold half-explanations and harrowing ordeals and visuals to keep any audience puzzled, shocked, amazed and wanting more.
Co-Creator Adam Trent (UK) excelled as an MC with fantastic warmth, endearing vibe, card tricks and more to entice our interest, plus the ability to wow us with audience interaction with general public of all ages. As with all cast members, sharing of anecdotes and even home movies to explain a magician’s passion and lifelong practice starting at a young age are real rather than illusionary take-homes here.
Above: Cast of this tour : Andrew Basso, Adam Trent, Gabriella Lester and Enzo Weyne. Image Ken Leanfore.
Escape master Andrew Basso (Italy) excelled in dragging us into the world of extreme physical challenges, traditional Harry Houdini-style trials included. Slight of hand star Gabriella Lester (Canada), with small, deft, minute eye-deceiving movements and inversely proportioned cheekiness, charisma and impact was a leading force in group plus whole cast leading the audience moments.
Illusion Director Enzo Weyne brought his expert timing, diversion techniques and friendly stage presence to the mix. These Four Horsemen take us on one wild ride, nicely costumed and with an industrial styled set and plenty of great lighting and fireworks.
Above, Andrew Basso, Gabriella Lester and Enzo Weyne teleport through time and the Sydney Opera House. Image Ken Leanfore.
The Sydney Opera House Concert Hall morphs so well into modern magic show, almost- arena mode. In between marvelling at the superstar illusionists, watching fellow crowd members help create the show and even shocking myself at my own guided prowess at performing a card trick from the stalls with everyone else attending. Only last week this venue was hosting an Early Music choir and orchestra, but for this residency is copes with a reshuffle into the kaleidoscope world of magic show and illusion.
This is perfect family theatre, a piece of diversion or escapism from the real world as are currently compelled to see it, a show to help any end-of-year exhaustion vanish.
Illusions are blurry but Now You See Me Live enables us to view a specialised, traditional skill set and even ourselves in a brilliant new light. Go to this, holiday Sydney! But beware – blink and you may miss the chance to see it
