Abu Dhabi: Expect to be dazzled by a mind-boggling performance as the team behind the Illusionists 2.0 takes the stage on Thursday at Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace for a show that defies the limits of reality.
The show, a sequel to Illusionists 1, includes The Warrior, The Trickster, The Deceptionist, The Unusualist, The Manipulator, The Futurist, and the Master Magician.
Simon Painter, director of the show, described the performance as “the future of magic and illusion,” as it employs cutting-edge visual effects, including 3D projections.
Speaking to tabloid! in an email interview, Painter let us in on the show’s new incarnation.
Q. What can audiences expect at the show?
A. The show is a fast-paced, high-energy powerhouse production and gives audiences the chance to witness the magical genius of the world’s greatest illusionists, each with a unique skill that has won them countless fans all over the world. It’s edgy, exciting and most of all, fun.
Q. How is Illusionists 2.0 different from the previous version, Illusionists 1?
A. [Illusionists] 2.0 presents a brand new line-up of magicians at the top of their field, revolutionising the way we look at magic. For the first time, the illusionists and the audience feel even closer through the technical marvel of 3D live projection.
Q. What makes this show a must-see compared to other magic shows?
A. Collectively, these performers have been seen by millions of people around the world and these productions showcase their incredible, award-winning talents on stage for the very first time. The show stands out because we pair these world-class performers with a new and updated contemporary aesthetic, whose set and costume design lend the genre a theatricality and artistry that has rarely been seen before.
Q. Does it take pure talent or just a lot of practice to pull off such stunts?
A. I’m sure the illusionists would say both. For example, The Manipulator has a superior level of dexterity but to become a master at sleight-of-hand requires years of dedicated practice.
Q. Where else have you taken the show? And how has the audience reaction been?
A. The show opened at Sydney Opera House, and has gone on to Mexico and Auckland, New Zealand to rave reviews. The great thing is that the show has universal appeal to the young and old. Audiences are constantly either laughing, screaming or gasping with amazement.
