Edited Aug 26th to add link to Ontario Arts Review.
Edited July 23rd to add information about the review by Patti Cannon.
From the moment the news of
James Alan's "
front page challenge" with the Hamilton Spectator broke, it was very clear to me that James had won the media over. (The front page challenge was even reported in
Buffalo's Business First.) Prior to the opening of
Lies, Damn Lies and Magic Tricks in Hamilton's Fringe Festival, he was also
interviewed by CBC Hamilton.
Having already received a
glowing review from Amber Waves for his opening performance for the band Garbage, all James had to do was deliver a solid performance.
As for his opening night performance,
Victoria Murdoch had this to say:
WHAT A SHOW!!! Seriously people, we've all seen people do silly little tricks at parties, but this guy's the real deal!
Read more.
Tom Mackan wrote:
Did you see Friday morning’s Spectator and the follow-up to Jeff
Mahoney’s story on the mysterious envelope? Even if not, it’s a bit of
the big buzz on this production that’ll be circulating around this
year’s Fringe Festival and it has to do with James Allan [sic], self-styled
Liar, Damn Liar, and Magician. Allan flew down the QEW from Toronto this
weekend on his Harry Potter special broomstick brimming with wicked wit
and calculated comedy to confound and amaze unwary Hamiltonians.
Do.Not.Miss.This.Show. It will find you out, I dearly fear.
Read more.
From
Patti Cannon:
Written and performed by James himself, this Fringe entry is
fascinating. James is able to hold your attention not only with his
magic but with his witty banter throughout the performance. Just when
you think you may have figured out what he is doing, he makes the
illusion larger than your logical mind can imagine. Even when you know
it’s a trick, he is so accomplished that it amazes and you have no doubt
that it’s magic.
Read more.
From
Tony Kilgannon:
The performance was everything I hoped it would be; thought-provoking,
funny, astonishing, and thoroughly entertaining. There would be no point
describing the deceptions that this wonderful, sly young man
perpetrates.
Read more.
Congratulations James! Keep up the great work!
To find out more about his show, read
his answers to the Summerworks Questionnaire. For show and ticket information, visit the
Abracadabaret website.