We are greeted by one of our three hosts - Lawrence Leung, Vyom Sharma and Dom Chambers – and asked to select a numbered lanyard from 1 – 30 and a word from the 70 in a bowl that speaks to us and hide it inside our lanyard. During this introduction, one door closes and another one opens to a whole new world. Illusion meets reality and the scene for the rest of evening is set.
From here on, we are all known by our lanyards, I am number 9. Our hosts are L1, L2 and L3. This anonymity allows us to shed the shackles of our lives and enter the space with an open mind. The magic and illusions that the three perform are utterly baffling and mind-blowing. There are obviously logical reasons as to how these are executed – and I desperately want to know – but in the moment, you can’t help but believe. At one point we are invited to grab our phones and record the magic while our eyes are closed. Watching back the footage leaves me gobsmacked.
Lachlan Wilde has been practising magic for roughly a decade and even won the Australian Junior Champion of Magic award at the 2015 Melbourne Magic Festival. Three years ago, as a bright eyed 21 year old, Wilde bought a ticket to see the world and create new experiences for himself. Fast forward to 2022, and Wilde is back at the Magic Festival with his show World of Wonders, in which he shares those adventures with us through some mesmerising magic.
There is great imagination and creativity with Wilde linking his "art of deception" with anecdotes and memories from his travels to Abu Dhabi, London and Paris, including a particularly interesting (although somewhat questionable) spotlight on Jack the Ripper. His storytelling is specific enough to form bonds with us but vague enough where we are able to insert our own experiences and further strengthen the relationship between magician and audience.
Magic, circus, live music and dance come together this summer at Arts Centre Melbourne with The Unbelievables. The variety show presents world-class performers that will often leave audiences captivated by what they are seeing in this two-hour live extravaganza.
Roberto Carlos Aguilar's juggling is an absolute highlight of the show and to have had him on stage for even a few more minutes would have been amazing. At times juggling with his mouth - yes, his mouth - this was one of the most thrilling acts of the evening, with Aguilar reaching speeds and variations that you rarely - if ever - get to see.
Aleksandra Kiedrowicz is mesmerising with her aerial performance and the accompanying musical rendition of Des'ree's "Kissing You" by Emi Secrest is a breathtaking moment, as is any musical number with Secrest. Sos and Victoria Petrosyan's Guinness World Record breaking act of 16-costume change illusions in two minutes will leave you gobsmacked, trying to figure out exactly how it is done.
The Ultimate
Vegas Show is a night
of magic, illusion, circus, songs, dancing and music. It's got all the
ingredients for a brilliant and captivating show, yet sadly this experience
left me feeling underwhelmed and wanting to head back to 'Melbourne'.
Host/MC, David Cotter did pleasantly well with his Dean Martin impersonation
but that's all there was to it. Cotter's Martin did not possess enough dynamic
stage presence or charisma to keep the audience strongly entertained and
generate excitement about the upcoming acts, although perhaps in a more
intimate setting as opposed to the expansive space of The Palms, he might have
had more of an effect.
