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One Night in Vegas
Weymouth Pavilion
August 8th, 2007
Reviewed by Ian Keable
The principal reason for magicians to catch One Night in Vegas is because of the
input of Daniel Dean, who was the British Champion of Illusion in 2001. Most of
the show is devoted to the singing talents of Martyn Lucas who performs middle
of the road popular hits (from Candle in the Wind through My Way to Love Changes
Everything) with the assistance of five excellent musicians and six hard working
dancing girls (who also double up as Dean’s assistants). Indeed for a touring
show this is high budget entertainment; and Martyn is an exuberant and talented
singer, impressionist and piano player.
But, hey, you want to know about the magic. Daniel Dean has two spots, one in
each half. He does a mixture of illusions and front of house tricks. In so doing
he displays two rather different persona. When he talks, Dean has a slightly
camp style, almost ‘Joe Pasqualeish’ at times – very likeable. He tells a number
of hackneyed gags very effectively and does a rather derivative version of Paul
Daniels’ Six Card Repeat. The audience warmed to him from the start.
When Dean becomes the illusionist, he changes into dramatic, mysterious style
with exaggerated hand gestures and choreographed steps. When he goes for silent
comedy – as in the Twister Illusion – he emphasises the agony with a grimaced
face. Apart from this latter illusion he also performed a version of Things That
Go Bump in the Night, a Girl Cage Production and a couple of Levitation effects.
His other tricks were a standard four Linking Ring routine, some rather too
frenzied card manips and Sonny Hayes & Co’s ‘Cups and Balls’ with a woman’s
head, culminating in the vanish of the woman at the end.
Apart from a couple of card steals, the magic is well performed and well
received by the appreciative audience. From a magician’s perspective it would be
nice to see a little more originality in Dean’s presentations. Ironically –
because he himself said at one point that ‘comedy really isn’t his thing’ - I
feel Dean’s future may lie more as a patter act rather than an illusionist.
All credit to Martyn Lucas who, as producer, is presumably gambling his bank
balance. To tour with this type of relatively traditional variety show in this
day and age is high risk; and it deserves support. Definitely worth a look on
its journey through the country to August 2008.
For dates visit:
www.onenightinvegas.co.uk
© Ian Keable, August 2007