THE ILLUSIONISTS RETURN

Australian audiences can look forward to a wide and varied spectrum of magic when The Illusionists 2.0 has its World Premiere here in December 2013 and January 2014. Lesley Reed previews the magic spectacular and speaks to ‘The Hypnotist’, Doctor Scott Lewis.

It takes a lot to stir a sense of wonder in the minds of today’s sophisticated and sceptical audiences, but the big budget spectacle that was The Illusionists captured the imagination of Australians during the show’s acclaimed 2012 tour. As testament to the success of that season The Illusionists 2.0 is ready to sweep the country with a brand new line-up and a production expected to redefine magic.

“The Illusionists was such a runaway hit when it premiered last summer we had to keep the magic alive,” says Executive Producer, Simon Painter. “After scouring the globe for the world’s best magicians we’ve brought together seven artists that represent the next direction of magic.”

Adelaide’s Her Majesty’s Theatre is the launching ground for the World Premiere, in which unique performers will present illusion, stunts, hypnotism and magic allied with spectacular effects and cutting edge technology.The show is family-friendly and suitable for all people 8+ years old.

There’s a multi-cultural line-up, with artists from Portugal (The Master Magician, Luis De Matos), Belgium (The Weapons Master, Aaron Crow), Britain (The Deceptionist, James Moore), Australia (The Unusualist, Raymond Crowe), The United States of America (The Hypnotist, Dr Scott Lewis and The Futurist, Adam Trent) and South Korea (The Manipulator, Yu Ho-Jin).

Each of the seven performers is renowned in his field. Host of the BBC’s The Magicians, The Master Magician is the king of conjuring, with a flair for mentalism and technology. The Weapons Master, winner of the World Championship of Magic, speaks not a word as he builds suspense with paintball guns, powerful crossbows and swords. Combining a powerful stage presence with an outstanding talent for the art of illusion, The Deceptionist is a master of the dark arts and delivers fast-paced, high-risk tricks and stunts. A rising star in his field and finalist in this year’s Australia’s Got Talent, The Unusualist is a home- grown star, multi-faceted in his skill with magic, mime, comedy and illusion. One of the best sleight-of-hand illusionists in the world, The Manipulator fools even the fastest eye. The Futurist shatters stereotypes by fusing classic magic tricks with dancing, comedy and technology. As host of the longest-running hypnosis show in Las Vegas history, The Hypnotist is one of Sin City’s greatest stars, but he’s also a health professional in clinical practice.

This correspondent can attest to hypnotism being a big part of the audience fascination with a production such as this one. Often the actions of hypnotised audience members can be memorable, enjoyed as much by those participating as those watching. Having been chosen from the audience by a well-known hypnotist many years ago I’ve been intrigued by hypnotism ever since. I was therefore keen to ask The Hypnotist (The Illusionists 2.0’s Doctor Scott Lewis - pictured right) some questions about his art:

Lesley Reed: How can comedy enhance an audience's appreciation of a hypnotist's skills?

The Hypnotist: I think the stage setting naturally lends itself to comedy as the premise of the shows is that the volunteers will have a good time.  I feel a good hypnotist is similar to a producer, making "in the moment" decisions to maximize the creativity and participation of the volunteers.

LR: What makes hypnotism and illusion work well together as a spectacle?

The Hypnotist: Both magic and hypnosis are variety arts that share an aura of mystery and intrigue for the audience.  Many people have never seen a live magic show while even fewer have seen a live comedy hypnosis show.  I think they work wonderfully together to create a highly entertaining and very special experience.

LR: What is the question you've always wanted to be asked about what you do, and why?

The Hypnotist: This is a great question because it gives me a chance to explain why I feel so fortunate to do the work I do. Actually, nobody has ever asked me about which I enjoying doing more - the stage shows or working with people using hypnosis for clinical purposes. The answer is that I derive great satisfaction from both disciplines. I find the stage shows wildly exciting because I never know what type of personalities I'll have on stage. It's never predictable and I get just as surprised as the audience, seeing the different reactions from the volunteers.

LR: What is the least understood component of hypnotism?

The Hypnotist: There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding hypnosis, due to the images portrayed in TV and the movies. I feel the least understood component of hypnosis is that some people believe hypnosis is mind control in that the volunteers onstage have no free will and are under complete control of the hypnotist. This is not the case.  Hypnosis is a natural state of mind we all experience several times a day. Examples of hypnosis are watching a movie, reading a book and daydreaming.  It's simply a state of focus and concentration.  When I have volunteers onstage, I give them a number of suggestions (i.e. that they are a member of an orchestra, a high fashion model, a famous pop singer, etc). They can choose to accept or reject any or all of these suggestions. They always maintain control over their minds. I can never make them do anything against their will or morals. Again, hypnosis is simply a state of focus and concentration.

Like Doctor Lewis, every artist performing in The Illusionists 2.0 is a master in his field. Whatever audience members think they know about magic, illusion and hypnotism, they should be prepared to open their minds and experience the future of magic when attending the show.  

“We can’t wait to share this exciting line-up with audiences in Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane,” Executive Producer, Simon Painter says of the magnificent seven in the cast. “These guys are fresh, exciting and will keep the audience guessing all summer.”

The Illusionists 2.0

Presented by Adelaide Festival Centre, QPAC and Sydney Opera House.

Adelaide

December 27, 2013 - January 5, 2014.

Fri Dec 27, 7.30 pm; Sat Dec 28, 11 am, 2 pm, 7.30 pm; Sun Dec 29 & Sun Jan 5, 3pm & 6.30 pm; Mon Dec 30, Tue Dec 31, Thurs Jan 2, Fri Jan 3, Sat Jan 4, 1pm & 7.30 pm.   

Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre (Adelaide Festival Centre), 58 Grote Street, Adelaide.

Bookings: BASS 131 246 or online at www.bass.net.au

SYDNEY

January  9 – 13, 2014

Venue: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House

www.sydneyoperahouse.com

BRISBANE

January 19 – 25, 2014

Venue: Queensland Performing Arts Centre

Bookings: qpac.com.au / 136 246

The (Original) Illusionists Also Return to Melbourne and Perth in January

Melbourne and Perth will see an entirely different set of illusionists, when the original hit, The Illusionists, plays those cities at around the same time.

The big blockbuster Las Vegas-style magic show that sold old over $3 million of tickets in eight days when it opened at the Sydney Opera House in early 2013 has a cast seven ‘Illusionists’ who – not unlike the X-Men or a similar band of superheroes – each have their own unique magic power, such as levitation, mind-reading or teleporting.

Cutting edge and contemporary with not a rabbit or top hat in sight,The Illusionists is revolutionary, bringing the age old art of magic into the 21st century. The Vegas-style production has played to sold out crowds in Australia, Asia, South America, the Middle East, where they left Dubai royalty spellbound, and across the UK and will be heading to Broadway in late 2014.

The hand-picked cast of international illusionists, including Dan Sperry, Kevin James, Brett Daniels, James Dimmare and Philip Escoffey, will transform any outdated notion of what a magic show is. With over 25 million YouTube hits between them, their solo shows alone sell hundreds of thousands of tickets at sold out arenas around the world.

Kevin James (The Inventor), for example, invented the rose trick made famous by David Copperfield. His illusions and magic acts are performed by Hollywood stars in various films and stage shows, including Nicholas Cage in the film Adaptation.

This group of world-class performers are taking their cue from the showmanship of the great illusionists of the past - such as Harry Houdini – and are pairing it with a new and updated contemporary aesthetic and ‘steampunk’ costume design, lending the genre a theatricality and artistry that has rarely been seen before.

The Illusionists

Presented by Arts Centre Melbourne in association with Tim Lawson and Simon Painter

Friday 3 – Sunday 12 January, 2014

Arts Centre Melbourne, State Theatre

Bookings: artscentremelbourne.com.au / 1300 182 183 

Presented by Crown Theatre Perth in association with Tim Lawson and Simon Painter

Saturday January 18 - Sunday January 26, 2014

Crown Theatre, Perth

www.ticketek.com.au /  1300 795 012