|
|
Las Vegas Vibes
By Mandy Davis
I could bore you with the journey, the hotel and the surroundings but I know
all you want, really, really want is the magic so...
The main man, for me, was the one I rushed to see on my very first afternoon -
Mac King (photo 1). He has just finished a long contract performing an afternoon show at
Hurrahs casino which is in the middle of the Strip opposite The Mirage and
Caesar's Palace. I was delighted to learn, during his performance, that his
contract has been renewed for several more years to come.
His audience was a reasonable size for an afternoon event and I was amazed to
discover that the opening for his show mirrored the opening of my children's
show. If told that a cabaret was to start with the song 'If You're Happy and You
Know It' you would not expect adults to take well to this. But Mac assured me,
and I witnessed this, that everyone in the audience starts singing immediately
and when he arrives on stage they are still belting out the word!
After a cut and restored rope routine, Mac brought a female spectator onto the
stage to witness a performance of Card to Pocket which incorporated Card to
trouser zipper. An enthusiastic thumb tie followed involving the same helper and
a chair. A trick with an earthworm, Aerial Fishing and Cards Across were all
given Mac's special brand of humour which changed standard effects into moments
of madness and magical mayhem. Finally a borrowed banknote was burned and Mac
removed various objects from his shoe before all was restored and his finale was
reached in the form of a box illusion.
Mac himself was an extremely likeable person both on and off stage; he talked
about finding methods for some of the tricks he used in spite of the lack of
help from their creators and explained how this had been useful in broadening
his own ideas. Let me say that you really shouldn't miss this show if you are in
the city - and there is no need as being an afternoon event, it won't interfere
with your evening plans.
Caesar's Magical Empire owes a lot to the set up at The Magic Castle in
Hollywood. They offer two evening meal sittings which include close-up magic at
your dinner table, a close up show and a stage show as well as the delights of
the Empire itself. However, I discovered a little known ticket for less than
half the price which was magic without the meal. I am told the food is excellent
but as I was there early evening I just wasn't hungry!
There are two bars set around a central arena which has flaming torches
surrounding it. This arena is used for a sound and light show during the course
of the evening. However, both bars are worthy of a visit. At one, you will be
entertained by a ten inch tall wizard whose name is Maximillian and has a voice
which bears an uncanny resemblance to another Max! He performs various tricks
which involve the help of whoever is sitting at the bar so you will probably
find yourself talking to this video character at some time during your visit!
The other bar contains a ghost pianist who will play requests and two chattering
skeletons who have cockney voices and tell corny jokes or sing along with
parodies of some of the tunes.
I was lucky enough to be allowed to visit the close up room twice and see two
entertainers, both very good and very different from each other.
John Shyrock had a likeable personality and some endearing catch-phrases. The
emphasis was on fun as he presented a four ace revelation which ended with coins
appearing under the cards on the table. A matrix followed and a Coin Star led
into some coin vanishes and appearances. A copper, silver, brass routine ended
this section but an eleven card selection, each of which found in different
ways, left the audience gasping. The four aces were then lost into the deck and
spelled to before John finished his set with a solid cups and balls
presentation.
Alain Nu (photo 2), in essence, performed three tricks - a silk vanish a named card effect
and some spoon bending. His style was that of mystery but without overstating
the fact. I normally find this type of presentation boring but Alain had me
spellbound. He vanished a silk many many times whilst explaining various things
about it. Each time, he was trying to prove he wasn't using a thumb tip. The
whole routine was quite magical. The spoon-bending was also amazing, he
certainly left his audience wanting more.
Joseph Gabriel was the stage performer and gave a good solid magic show lasting
about twenty minutes. We were entertained with doves and an asrah which ended
with a cockatoo which, when placed into a cage, became a girl. A rather nice
effect was that of ten random words given by the audience being written onto a
large board by a spectator; these then proved to be inside an envelope which had
been on view. Some manipulation work followed and a card on rope effect before
Joseph presented Tommy Wonder's signature trick. A couple of other routines
rounded off a very nice show and probably furnished a suitable magical ending to
anyone's night out on the town.
I am not going to review or even describe the big magic shows that I saw.
Siegfried and Roy was the most amazing spectacle I have ever seen - with
staging, costumes and effects that could not be described in words. The Jubilee
Show at Bally's is also worth a look; this is an old fashioned Las Vegas show
with topless showgirls in amazing costumes and head-dresses but it stars
magician Dirk Arthur who did some fine illusions worthy of any Las Vegas stage.
He worked with tigers, sports cars and helicopters as well as smaller stuff. His
personality is a little weak but I had great fun watching the incredulity of his
audience who were totally overawed by his magic.
Rick Thomas has the longest running afternoon show in Las Vegas. I was invited
by the President of The Magic Castle to see the show at which Rick was to be
presented on stage with the Magician of the Year award by the Academy of Magic
Arts. His show was excellent, with all the illusion and tigers you could
possibly wish for in one afternoon and Rick himself has a friendly personality
which gives an intimacy to the whole event. I won't say more - read last month's
Magic magazine to get the whole story.
Finally - the master, Lance Burton (photo 3). Once again I will not divulge the show but
the title of master magician was certainly given to the right man. His ease of
manner adds to the enjoyment of the whole spectacle and you feel very at home
watching him work.
So that ends my personal view of the magic shows on the Las Vegas strip. Of
course, I haven't even told you about the magic at the World Magic Seminar.....
yet!
© Mandy Davis February 2002