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Andrew Van Buren and Company - Al Fresco
July 2012
Reviewed by Geoffrey Newton
I
have seen Andrew Van Buren’s Illusion Show on many occasions but never before in
an al fresco situation. I therefore took the opportunity to see this when he
appeared as part of Altrincham (Cheshire) Festival Week. The 7th July was
carnival day and the event was held on the Local Authority showground which
happened to be in the same street where I had lived during my early 20’s. It was
a nostalgic trip to see the show amongst fairground rides and other usual high
activity events of a successful carnival.
Andrew was totally self contained working from a new stage front fixed to the
back of his vehicle complete with PA and roped off area. Working a crowd as
opposed to an audience as such (although the difference may be subtle) proved no
difficulty for him as Andrew is equally a showman and a magician. There were two
performances, restricted to 30 minutes each by the organisers due to logistics.
So what did we see?
He first got up a pitch drawing a large crowd and soon transfixed the spectators
with the vanishing radio swiftly followed by the tambourine streamer and
goldfish bowls productions. This had clearly established him well and the crowd
started to grow by the minute.
After a very quick protean dress change with Allyson it was time for audience
participation where he delighted 4 youngsters with the rising cards (jumbo of
course) with lots of laughs. Next it was time for an adult to help out with
Andrew’s wrist tie escape and then from a strait jacket.
Time was moving on and there was just time for the Disembodied Princess which
was revolved with the centre open – it’s not often you can see it performed like
this! Finally, a Super X style levitation. This brought a rousing applause as
the show drew to an end all timed exactly to the 30 minute slot. I was a great
day out in Altrincham with perfect weather conditions but I don’t think Andrew
had a hand in that!
If the show comes your way during the summer do take a look it’s well worth it.
© Geoffrey Newton, July 2012