Are you looking for a break in your routine, perhaps a little magic?
For just under $100 a ticket you can get to see a magic show performed by Bruce Glen, a genial and skilled magician, and member of the very selective international magicians group,The Magic Circle, in the Sir Alfred Room at the lovely, heritage listed hotel, the Sir Stamford Hotel.
It was an intimate space seating around sixty people. The night that I went, a group from the Mosman Retirement Village attended, their first, very exciting outing since Covid restrictions have been relaxed.
We were each given a glass of champagne and canapes were served.
Magic is the art of deception and it is in this light that Glen declared himself a professional liar. He also revealed that he is a confirmed sceptic and doesn’t believe that human beings have any telepathic powers or that ghosts exist in dark corners.
As one would expect there were none of the flashy tricks such as seeing someone sawed in half on stage. There were plenty of card tricks, none of which I, of-course, could work out.
Other tricks included the one cup and one ball trick, all ropes are not created equal, another con job, the imaginary psychic and a trick called Wonderland which drew on the famous Lewis Carroll book.
We received a bit of a history lesson on magic. The great Harry Houdini was mentioned, and there were even references to a few of the early magicians/con men that worked the Circular Quay and Rocks areas. Glen quoted Albert Einstein a few times which was a nice, added touch.
There was plenty of audience involvement with Glen selecting a few people to join him on the tiny stage and be a part of one of his ever so silky tricks.
Glen was aided by a very able and charming assistant, actress and producer Katherine Shearer. Shearer is moonlighting in this position as she continues to build up on an impressive list of film projects (www.katshearer.com).
Glen’s has put on this show, in different venues across Sydney for many years now, and has it down to a magical art.
THE GENTLEMAN MAGICIAN’S MAGICAL SOIREE plays every Friday and Saturday nights at the Sir Stamford Hotel, 93 Macquarie Street on the corner of Albert Street.
Tickets are $95 including champagne and canapes on arrival.
The show is suitable for 10 years and above.
Bookings are essential.
Featured image : Master magician Bruce Glen.