The Illusionists – Festival Theatre stage on New Year’s Eve – Preview

The Illusionists

Modern-day Magician Dream Team ignite

Festival Theatre stage on New Year’s Eve

A bevy of the world’s hottest magicians will descend upon Adelaide audiences for the first time at the Adelaide Festival Centre with The Illusionists exploding onto the Festival Theatre stage in a spectacular opening on New Year’s Eve (31 December 2012) and running until 12 January 2013.

The Festival Theatre will be transformed into a magicians playground for a family-friendly show which will see five internationally acclaimed illusion gods (with more acts to be announced) all joining forces to ignite the stage as they take magic into the 21st century and beyond with unprecedented illusions, jaw dropping levitations, thrilling escapes and mind reading all set to enthral audiences.

They include The Anti-Conjuror Dan Sperry who has been described as David Copperfield meets Marilyn Manson, and is the only illusionist to be awarded the title of most original magician on Fox’s ‘World Magic Awards’ he specialises in “show illusions”. Brett Daniels is the Grand Illusionist internationally recognised for his exciting style of cutting-edge illusion he is a “mega illusionist”. Kevin James aka The Inventor specialises in magic inventions and ground breaking illusions his style is anything but conventional and his unique comedy and magic have gained him a reputation as a world class visual artist. The Trickster is Jeff Hobson and is one of the most in-demand comedy magicians working today. And last but by no means the least magical Andrew Basso is The Escapologist who will put on a display featuring his bone –squeezing techniques demonstrating his amazing psychological and mental control over his body.

This group of world class performers take their cue from the showmanship of the great illusionists of the past such as Harry Houdini and pair it with a new and updated contemporary aesthetic and set and costume design lend the genre a theatricality and artistry that has rarely been seen before.

The Illusionists Director and Grand Illusionist Brett Daniels said “It is a privilege to be involved in The Illusionists – a show that unites these performers from around the world. They are at the top of their game and the audience are going to be left speechless when they see some of the things these artists are able to achieve”.

Audiences will witness a nail-biting Russian roulette, jaw dropping acts of levitation, mind-reading, disappearances and escapes for the Adelaide Festival Centre’s first comprehensive exploration of the genre of magic. From The Magic Circle and Hollywood’s Magic Castle to Harry Potter and the rising inclusion of magicians on prime time TV such as Australia’s Got Talent, the world of illusion and intrigue has long captured the public imagination. This production will present a rare opportunity for audiences of all ages to see the grand masters of illusion at work in one spell-binding production.

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and Artistic Director Douglas Gautier says “This is a real coup for the Adelaide Festival Centre, it is a spectacular show that comes fresh to us from a sell-out season at the Sydney Opera House. Get set to be entranced and astonished, don’t miss this once in a life time opportunity”.

What: The Illusionists

Venue: Festival Theatre

When: Season runs from 31 December 2012 – 12 January 2013

Princi Cost: Premium $105, A Res $99, B Res $79, C Res $69 A Res Conc  $79, B Res Conc $69, Family (4 tickets 2 adults/2children) $290, Groups 6 or more save, Early Bird Offer: Book by 26 October purchase 10 tickets and get one FREE

Suitable: 8+ years

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

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