The Illusionists.
Camera IconThe Illusionists. Credit: Supplied/Supplied, Andrew Ritchie

The Illusionists captivates and questions the impossible at Crown

Tanya MacNaughtonEastern Reporter

THE Illusionists – Direct from Broadway is not just any common magic show.

Its cast of seven illusionists from around the world make sure of that with the addition of screens, smoke machines, lights and music.

There is also a surprising amount of humour, the majority on opening night at Crown Theatre Perth coming from New York Jewish comedian Harrison Greenbaum, aka The Trickster, who worked a slow burn and had people in uncontrollable fits of laughter by the end of the evening.

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The Deceptionist James Moore from the UK astounded while spinning on a large spike and The Manipulator, Al Halim from South Korea, showed his supreme sleight of hand skills, showering the stage in playing cards that seemingly appeared out of thin air.

Australian representative The Unusualist Raymond Crowe, known to Aussie audiences for his What A Wonderful World shadow puppetry, is a welcome addition to the cast and showed his aptitude in ventriloquism with hilarious results.

The Inventor Kevin James marvelled with his illusion of bringing Charlie Chaplin to life and revealed the beauty in a mesmerising tissue paper trick.

British-born escape artist Jonathan Goodwin, The Daredevil, channelled his inner Harry Houdini while setting the audience’s pulse racing performing his escape from a straitjacket with a fiery twist and demonstrating his ability with a crossbow.

The highlight for this reviewer was Scottish forensic scientist Colin Cloud, whose role as The Deductionist was incredible.

Trained in criminal profiling, the modern day Sherlock Holmes, who admitted to looking more like the evil twin of Neil Patrick Harris, complete with sleeve tattoo, had the audience spellbound with his powers of deduction.

For those who have seen The Illusionists in Perth last year, there are some returning cast members, but whether it is your introduction to the show or a return visit, it will leave you captivated and questioning the impossible.

The Illusionists – Direct from Broadway is showing at Crown Theatre Perth until July 2.

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