The Illusionists London review: An evening of wonder delivers a different kind of magic for the festive season.
The Illusionists London review
Following this summer’s hugely successful run of Impossible in London’s West End, comes an all-new magical extravaganza in The Illusionists, an exciting new format fresh from New York’s Broadway.
Running alongside its Stateside sister show and indeed a World Tour, The Illusionists features seven performers, each with their own speciality. We have ‘The Magician,’ Britain’s Got Talent’s Jamie Raven, ‘The Inventor’; US magician Kevin James, ‘The Manipulator; ‘Gold Medal Award of Honor’ winner Den Den, ‘The Trickster’; comedy magician David Williamson, ‘The Escapaologist’; celebrated Italian escape artist Andrew Basco, ‘The Weapon Master’ Ben Blaque, a former contestant on America’s Got Talent, and ‘The Deductionist’ Colin Cloud who guides us through our evening of entertainment.
More intimate than Impossible, The Illusionists does away with any kind of contrived story through its duration, instead opting for a direct approach with each act given their own time to shine; the first being the impressive Colin Cloud who sets-up proceedings following an impressive music-and-dancer-backed introduction to the talent in a grand, illusion-packed opening. Cloud engages the audience and kicks off the likable show with the first of many audience-involving mind-bending tricks mixed with amusing comedy. Jamie Raven follows up with likable charm in a series of short illusions, all of which are embraced by the won-over crowd. Like a lot of the show, Raven opts for less low-key illusions than grand affairs. Kevin James is also impressive as The Inventor, who manages to thrill with larger, slightly darker illusions, while also delivering a sweet close-up set with a younger member of the audience in the second act; a definite stand-out.
The Illusionists London review
Watch The Illusionists trailer: The Illusionists London review continues below.
There’s also the first-act show-stopper, a heart-racing Houdini reproduction from Escapologist Andrew Basco. His three-minute plus water-tank escape will have you gripping the side of your seat and definitely needing that intermission drink. Weapon expert Ben Blaque appears in the second half of the show with a dangerous series of crossbow routines, all of which culminate in an extremely dangerous climax where the American attempts to shoot an apple from the top of his own head.
Then there’s ‘Trickster’ David Williamson who brings most of the show’s comedy to the stage. His seemingly largely ad-libbed comedy-magic delights throughout, and his routine featuring three younger members of the audience in the second act is also a highlight of the production. Then there’s Den Den, a truly gifted performer who fuses magic with art in two beautiful displays of sleight of hand magic; routines which not only capture the wonder of the audience, but also of his peers on stage.
If one was to go into The Illusionists expecting big epic, massively budgeted magic tricks that fill the stage throughout then you may come away disappointed. There are some moments like that, mostly weighted towards the opening number, but this is a show that is very much for the audience to be involved in – smaller, more intimate tricks with a running humour and constant charm.
To sum up our The Illusionists Londo review – it will blow your mind, it will have you laughing in the aisles and it will definitely have your kids running to the stage to be involved in the wonder. Most of all, The Illusionists will entertain you massively throughout. A magical treat for the festive season.
The Illusionists London review by Paul Heath, November 2015.
The Illusionists is playing until January 3rd, 2016 at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London. Book your tickets for The Illusionists here.
