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Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger
Magic - the Secret Art
Princess Pavilion, Falmouth
Friday March 31st 2006
Reviewed
by Nick Ralls
The people of Falmouth were in for a real theatrical treat when two of
America’s great stars of magic came to the Cornish town. The combined
charismatic talents of Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger in a truly remarkable
magic and mystery show proves a theatrical experience that sticks in the mind
like glue. The locals may not have heard of the formidable duo – although they
have now - but that was not true for magicians who travelled far and wide, some
journeying for more than seven hours, to see two amazing magic heroes doing what
they do best.
The show staged by Kernow Magic was on the Friday night before a three day
master class from McBride and Burger for magicians and was a rare opportunity
for British folk to get a taste of how good magical entertainment can really be
in the theatre. For the magic fraternity Jeff and Eugene need no introduction.
They are magicians’ magicians who inspire, innovate and generously pass on their
enthusiasm for the art of magic.
For the general public they are awesome and mesmerising entertainers whose
warmth and stage presence offers something that is truly unique. The McBride
theatrical experience fuses mask, myth, drama and illusion and reflects his
lifelong study of magic’s multi cultural roots.
And the magic is to be shared….
From the moment the audience take their seats in the theatre, Jeff and Eugene
generously make themselves available to personally greet them. It does not get
more intimate – and more special - than that.
Bearded Eugene is everyone’s favourite uncle, with his distinct and compelling
voice, as he thanks you for coming to the show and performs close up including
the rising matchbox, a trick which is one of his own classics. But most of all,
he is the friendly guy who brings people together…
Jeff, attired in black hat and dark cloak, makes friends with his audience too
demonstrating from the word go that he is one of the world’s greatest magical
showmen. He is a warm and affable host… and makes everyone feel that extra bit
special and very welcome. That is real magic in itself before any tricks are
demonstrated...
The show itself is jam packed with signature classics that have earned both
these larger than life magical characters respect from magicians across the
world and audiences alike, mainly in America, who have been lucky enough to
witness their theatrical masterpieces. From Jeff we have the mime and mask
mystical routines that have made him so different from the usual run of Las
Vegas magicians and keeps him very much at the head of the pack.
Jeff McBride proves he can hold the audience breathless with simple but very
strong visual magic. Waving his oriental hand fan he suspends his butterflies in
space; from the smoke comes an incredible mask changing piece of theatre; and
there is the charming spectacle when bowls magically fill with raindrops. Add to
this his riveting card manipulation and beautiful sleight of light display
complete with dancing light cane, and you know that you are experiencing classic
McBride at its very best. He remains as athletic as he is original and the
mystical overtones of his act with deep meaning just underneath the surface of
alluring illusion seem somewhat appropriate for Cornwall with its own mystical
legacy.
Jeff’s magic with mime, dance and martial arts, produces a show dense in drama
and mystery. His costumes match the majesty of his choreography and the clever
use of music sets the atmosphere for a great presentation. Here is a man who has
studied the magician’s art from the early influences of the shaman to the more
modern show time conjurers like Houdini. He is simply great and unique…
The audience also loves Eugene for his engaging, kind and very powerful stage
personality which turns often simple magic into very strong theatrical effects.
Like McBride, Eugene is a performer who loves what he is doing and radiates that
love… and his audience capture this enthusiasm with ease. The great communicator
and raconteur, Eugene opens with his classic Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva
presentation involving the burnt and restored thread representing the Universe.
Later he captivates his audience with his superb rendition of the spirit slates
– complete with comic messages adding theatrical surprise to the overall
astonishment of a truly great individual routine. It is an understatement to say
that nobody can capture attention like Eugene. He has you glued to your seat as
the show is stuck in your mind.
Particularly memorable is his production from torn tissue paper of a Santa hat
for himself and a beautiful bonnet for his female spectator. The rapport he has
with his volunteer is lovely, confident and endearing. Eugene makes friends with
people… and people make friends with him.
He also brings his years of experience in absorbing close up to the stage when
he conjures up a winning poker hand for a non playing female volunteer over her
poker playing husband. Eugene does not miss a theatrical opportunity. Suddenly
cards become immensely important in people’s lives – and so does the trick!
Volunteers leave the stage feeling ten feet tall because both Eugene and Jeff
make people feel good about themselves. It is a feel good show and everyone ends
up feeling good including, no doubt, the performers themselves who surely lap up
the rapturous applause.
And nobody could feel better than the young lad called Harry who joins Jeff for
an entertaining coin bucket routine and gleans with pride as he is
ritualistically presented a magician’s wand that has been handed down from
shaman to magician … to Harry.
Audience members are involved in the show from start to finish and Jeff spends a
significant amount of his time in performance wandering around the auditorium to
ensure everyone shares in the magic. No one will dose off in this show… or feel
left out. And sharing in the magic is what this show is all about… Jeff and
Eugene produce the gift of themselves to an appreciative audience… and the
audience simply delight in receiving it.
After the show the duo are there to sign autographs and chat to audience members
completing a truly magical experience for all… The great sadness for the member
of the audience is walking out of the theatre door at the end of the evening –
who wouldn’t want to stay in Jeff and Eugene’s magical world a little longer?
© Nick Ralls, April 2006