I think we all remember that one moment in our childhood where we dabbled with a stage-magic set. The playing cards, the top hat, the detachable wand. Wonder is a very enticing thing, and very short-lived, until the pressures and distractions of adulthood set in.
But as the audience shuffled into Crown Theatre, for the Perth premiere of 'Now You See Me Live', sparks and glimmers of that childlike wonder started to bubble under the surface. Based on the Lionsgate global hit series of the same name, four talented and expressive magicians took the stage for a night of magic, misdirection, illusion, and sincere storytelling.
For the first ten minutes of the performance, we were introduced to the Four Horseman: Andrew Basso from Italy, a true daredevil that would even give Houdini a run for his money; Gabriella Lester, the youngest female illusionist in the game and quick-witted showman; Matthew Pomeroy, a tech-magician integrating the sleight of hand and camera; and Pablo Cánovas, a spellbinding and charismatic illusionist.
Each introductory magical feat was exhilarating and set the mood for the next two hours. From teleporting magicians, helicopters (no, you read that right), pyrotechnics, light-screens and tech-visual, to misdirection, and seeds planted for upcoming payoffs. Even fans of the original film franchise will draw comparisons to Gabriella’s performance involving a safe and explosives (again, you read that right), and Perth’s own Isla Fisher’s scene with piranhas.
Every patron was asked to select at random, or by choice, four individual cards from a playing deck. They had to all be different in some way and would later play in toward two tricks during the night. The first, a classic misdirection, where a Horseman left the stage, and immediately was found in the audience. The second instance? Let’s just say that the whole audience followed the white rabbit (or Four Horseman) to an amazing payoff.
Andrew Basso recreated one of Houdini’s most legendary escapes, and with audience interaction, was plunged headfirst into a tank of water, shackled by wrist and ankle, and escaped in two minutes – to a SILENT audience. The atmosphere was buzzing. This led into Pablo Cánovas’ light and illusion performance, where his charisma blinded the audience to his childhood teleportation machine, and the act of transporting a piece of paper inside a light bulb – all while being filmed by a roaming cameraman.
Matthew Pomeroy is not just a stage magician, but he’s also an amazing showman – leading the Horseman through each act, he engaged with audiences with the same gusto and excitement as any eight-year-old who wants to show you something new – and that is the true magic of 'Now You See Me Live'.
Each Horseman tied the acts into a narrative of hope, and wonder. Gabriella speaking on the power of connection – how the audience arrived with a loved one, but equally stayed for a connection with thousands – how Matthew’s grandfather’s gift of a book of magic paved the way for a lifelong dream to perform and spread the same magic – to Andrew and Pablo reflecting on a childhood of being amazing, and wanting to replicate the same wonder for others. Tim Lawson and Simon Painter did an excellent job bringing these talented, and heartfelt magicians together, in what could only be described as a true dose of magic to dispel some of the darkness currently in the world.
Their final message was in how we start and end with a number, but that time is made up within that small dash. That the importance of kindness, wonder, and bringing a smile to people’s lives may be small, but it is expensive.
I would encourage anyone curious about stage magic, and those seeking to debunk it, to grab a ticket before you miss out on this beautiful production. This is the time to let magic take over; gasp, shout, laugh, and applaud as loud as you can – it adds to the magic, and the Four Horseman will love you for it – just be sure to not sit too close to the stage, unless you want to be part of the show!
