Magic shows can often be cheesy and absurd. But when you have the world’s seven best illusionists joining hands to create a show, it’s quite different. Because collectively, they have a lifetime of experience and expertise behind them.
“This is not traditional magic. Our magic speaks a universal language and is appropriate for all audiences. It’s a contemporary look at where magic is and where it’s going.” said illusionist Mark Kalin.
The blockbuster show, called The Illusionists, which ran to packed houses in Sydney and Mexico City, is coming to Dubai on Wednesday at the Dubai World Trade Centre for a 10-day run.
Dubbed the Cirque Du Soleil of magic, this group’s mix of optical illusions include acts of levitation, mind-reading, escaping from water tanks and courting death challenges. And, they are all accompanied by the razzle-dazzle that could put a Las Vegas show to shame.
“You will witness things that make you question what’s possible and what’s not. It’s a rare chance,” said Philip Escoffey, The Mentalist. Almost as if on cue, trickster Jeff Hobson takes a swig of water from the bottle and it magicaly pours out from his ears.
tabloid! introduces you to the seven magicians who will take you on a trip of a lifetime. Don’t try their tricks at home.
Who: Dan Sperry
What: Anti-conjurer
His motto: Magic no longer sucks
His costume: Sports heavy Goth make-up, leather clothing and riddled with tattoos.
The tricks up his sleeve: Sperry looks a lot like the dark shock rock musician Marilyn Manson and his tricks also border on the bizarre. By invoking the paranormal, he can make furniture float in the air. He can lock himself inside a machine with a 13-foot spinning saw blade that tears him in half. But he survives to tell the tale. Also, watch out for his razor blade swallowing illusion: an act where places razorblades into his mouth and threads them together without as much as a scratch. Be prepared to be freaked out.
In his own words: “None of us have been here in Dubai before. It’s going to be an exciting journey. Magic is at its most effective when the audience is involved in an emotional rollercoaster way.”
Who: Jeff Hobson
What: The trickster
His motto: Don’t be fooled by his friendly, dapper appearance.
His costume: Flamboyant coats that would make Liberace proud.
The tricks up his sleeve: Hobson has an uncanny ability to break the ice and gives audience participation a new meaning. This Detroit native combines comedy, magic and some fire eating.
In his own words: “Prepare to be amazed. We are going to do some magic, fun and illusions. I encourage you all to go out and do buy tickets for our show.”
Who: Andrew Basso
What: The Escapologist
His motto: “Danger is fascinating”
His costume: Body hugging suit, accessories and Mohawk haircut
Tricks up his sleeve: Basso, who idolises Harry Houdini, is Italy’s star escape artist. He courts danger by making thrilling escapes from under water even if his feet are padlocked. He can escape explosives, handcuffs and cars explosions with equal ease.
In his own words: “There’s danger involved when I am hanging upside down in a water tank. I am chained to the bottom with padlocks of the Water Torture Cell. Sometimes, I even hear women screaming in the audience. But there I feel people are with me when I face death challenges.”
Who: Kevin James
What: The inventor
His motto: “Anything is possible.”
His costume: White suit, black tie and glasses.
Tricks up his sleeve: Say hello to the illusionist whose acts were performed by stars such as Nicholas Cage and David Copperfield. He knows how to enthrall an audience with some spectacular tricks. Think chain-sawing a person in half (then stapling them back together) or conjuring up a snowstorm with a a paper napkin
In his own words: “You are going to see things that you have never seen before. After the show, you will take back spectacular memories for the rest of your life.”
Who: Mark Kalin
What: The Gentleman
His motto: “Seeing is believing”
His costume: Black hat and classic black suit.
The tricks up his sleeve: Magician folklore has it that Kalin wanted to be a puppeteer until he stumbled across a book on magic aged nine. The rest is history. He specialises in deception and gives his own twist to classical optical illusions. Watch out for Kalin and his partner Jinger Leigh’s astounding levitation feat where he slices her in two. The two had re-defined the traditional concepts of magic show.
In his own words: “I work with the enchantress Jinger Leigh. We perform classic magic with a twist.”
Who: Jinger Leigh
What: The Enchantress
Her costume: Maroon lips, black hat and tight suit
The tricks up her sleeve: Leigh teams up with Kalin to form the archetypal magician and magician assistant’s duo. She can combine dance and illusion with ease. The pair also use theatrics to their advantage and are known to have re-invented the classic ‘sawing woman in half’ act. Also, watch out for their gravity-defying acts.
In her own words: “We don’t like each other. Just kidding. There’s a healthy competition among the magicians and that works for the benefit of the audience.”
Who: Philip Escoffey
What: The Mentalist
His costume: Impeccably dressed in a suit with a handkerchief in the side pocket.
The tricks up his sleeve: He can read your mind and meddle with it too. Escoffey will make you question perceptions.
In his own words: “I have never worked with a group of magicians before. Some of these guys are a big deal in the magic world and I was like a rabbit under the headlight. I feel like there’s an incredible masterclass going around me. There is no ego flying around in this group.”
