Showing posts with label Young and Strange. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Young and Strange. Show all posts

29 December 2023

Random thoughts about "Champions of Magic" 2023

Catch Champions of Magic in Toronto, until December 31st.  Tickets at Ticketmaster.  

  Additional Canadian dates:  
Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.


 

Yesterday afternoon, KOP and I made the trek to Toronto's Meridian Hall.  

  • The last time we were at Meridian Hall it was called the Sony Centre and it was to see Darcy Oake's show "Edge of Reality" in 2015.  (Although we're still likely to refer to it as the O'Keefe Centre or possibly even the Hummingbird Centre.)
  • All of the theatre staff were super helpful, professional, and generally fabulous! 
  • While not mandatory, a good number of the patrons and ushers were masked.
  • The show is about an hour for the first half, with a 16 minute intermission, and about an hour in the second half.
  • As always with this show I am genuinely afraid of posting spoilers.  The less you know going in, the more you'll enjoy it.

 

 

On with the show...

Note to parents of young children:  The music can be very loud at times throughout the show.  There's also a smoke machine involved.  Forewarned is forearmed.

There's a videographer on hand to capture close-up miracles and project them nice and big on a screen so everyone can see!

(In yesterday's show, there were three screens in play.  One on the main stage and one each to the left and right of the stage.)

 

 

Regular readers of the blog have probably guessed that this would be our summary of the show:

So. Much. Fun!


  • The audience arrived ready for a fun time.  There were plenty of children in the audience and some families came in from as far as Bomanville to catch the show!  They were rooting for the performers from the get-go and the cast had the crowd eating out of their hands by the end of the show!
     
  • It felt like there was an exponential increase in production values for this run, in comparison to the shows we've seen previously.  There were more lights, the lights did fancier things, and there were additions to the sound track that really enhanced the visuals.  (And for those in the know, yes, the fun extra bits are still there too.)

  • There was a unexpected change in cast.  We were crushed when we learned that Alex McAleer was unable to do the show.  We were really looking forward to getting another look at his beautifully constructed homage to Keller that we first saw in Kitchener last year
     
  • Stepping in for McAleer was Kent Axell.  This was our first time seeing Axell and we were very impressed!

  • Hollie England, Kent Axell, Fernando Velasco, Richard Young and Sam Strange all do what they do very well! 

If memory serves, there are no standard card tricks in the show!
  • This show is very different from the one presented in Oshawa in 2019, and significantly different than the one mounted in Toronto in 2018.  Much of the content is similar to the 2022 show we saw in Kitchener, with the added bonus that with every passing year, the cast are more authentic and the show feels more organic.  Which translates to a demonstrable increase in entertainment value!
     
  • There are several whole cast moments, which make the show less of a patchwork piece and more of a thoughtfully woven production.

  • There's LOTS audience participation with both children and adults!  By our count, 16 volunteers were involved.

  • The show is absolutely visually stunning!

Whether you're new to magic or are a professional magician, there's something for everyone!

  • Axell demonstrated some baffling mentalism and his 9 year old volunteer James was an absolute star!

  • England showcased a strong skill set and talent that is intensely theatrical!  She really brought the heat (through fire!) in her set and I'll never look at a cup of tea the same way again.
     
  • For those who have seen the show already, not to worry!  The cornerstone crowd-pleasers are still in the show, tweaked and refined!

  • Aerialist Michelle Mazzarella amazed and dazzled from above.

  • Velasco succeeded in breathtaking, heart-stopping escapes and then some.  Even though I've seen him do many of these things before, everything he does makes me nervous!

  • Young and Strange have carefully pruned their wonderful grand illusions and introduced some new things in their place.  Even after having seen them perform a similar set thrice before, Young and Strange are remarkably entertaining to watch.  One can't help but get caught up in the fun they are having on stage!  Their collaborative piece with Velasco  has a very strong audience reaction.  As a bonus, they were able to stage a couple of effects we'd read about on social media but had never seen them perform live.  It was well worth the wait to see it live on stage!


While excellent magic is at the core of this experience, it's clear that the focus is providing a fabulously entertaining evening.

They definitely hit their mark!


  • This was the fourth time seeing the show in the last 5 years and we were thoroughly entertained!  There are so many moments of joyous laughter, and periods of being completely enthralled in the spectacle.

  • It is clear that the acts and the scripts are a work in progress and continue to be thoughtfully curated, updated, and revised.  It gets better every time!
      
We highly recommend it!
(Even if you've seen it before.)

 

 

 

Disclosure:  KOP and I were guests at this show. The opinions expressed above are entirely my own. I did not receive compensation for the writing or the publishing of this article.

With thanks to
Starvox Entertainment for the tickets.

 

 

  Champions of Magic  

Champions of Magic is touring across Canada in 2023 - 2024:

Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.

 

Read our 2023 interviews with:

 
Learn more about Champions of Magic at ChampionsOfMagic.co.uk and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter



Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonders Tour


 

23 December 2023

Toronto: American Sign Language interpreted magic show [Dec 28]

They first offered this for their show in 2018.  Nice to see it available again!

 

From the December 18th Facebook post by Starvox Entertainment:

Champions Of Magic in Toronto will have an ASL interpreted performance on Thursday, December 28 at 8:00pm!

TO Live and Starvox Entertainment are happy to offer the following access measures:
ASL interpreted performance: Thursday, December 28 at 8:00pm.

The performance will be ASL interpreted by Amanda Hyde and David Bell-Patterson.

Please contact the TO Live box office by phone at 416-366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754, or by email at boxoffice@tolive.com to book tickets with an optimal view of the ASL interpreters.
๐ŸŽŸ️ bit.ly/3teaOSZ
๐Ÿ‘‰ Champions Of Magic Access Guide
๐Ÿ‘‰ Champions Of Magic Pre-Show Audio Notes
๐Ÿ‘‰ Email boxoffice@tolive.com to book tickets with an optimal view of the ASL interpreters

 

 

 

  Champions of Magic  

Catch Champions of Magic touring across Canada in 2023 - 2024:

Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.

 

Read our 2023 interviews with:


 

Learn more about Champions of Magic at ChampionsOfMagic.co.uk and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter



Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonders Tour


 

 

13 December 2023

Toronto: Win tickets to see "Champions of Magic" on December 30th, 2023

Great news folks! We have been offered tickets to give away to our readers, for Champions of Magic in Toronto, Canada.


Champions of Magic in Toronto


Prepare to be enchanted this holiday season with Champions of Magic. Brace yourself, for a heart-pounding escape from Houdini's legendary water torture cell, predictions that will leave you questioning reality itself, and gravity-defying levitation acts that will have you floating high above the stage in pure amazement. And when you think you've seen it all, the grand finale will defy explanation leaving you in sheer disbelief!

Toronto don't miss this chance to witness the extraordinary and become part of the magic phenomenon as of December 27!



Read our 2023 interviews with:

 

Their run starts on December 27th and has just been extended to the 31st.  If you don't want to leave your tickets to chance, you can purchase them directly at TicketMaster.


There will be a random draw for one (1) family pack of tickets for the show on December 30th at noon, 2023.  

  • There will be one (1) winner.
  • The prize consists of a family pack of four (4) tickets. (Approximate retail value of $250.)  
  • The draw results will be posted by Saturday, December 23rd.



To enter:

  1. Log into the RaffleCopter widget at the bottom of this post, using a valid email address.
     
  2. Mandatory: Leave a comment in the widget, telling us:
    a) what trick or illusion you enjoy doing so much you'd be happy to perform it every day for a year, and
    b) for how many years you've been performing it.
     
  3. If you win, you must be willing to provide your name, email address, and phone number, so that a representative from Champions of Magic can coordinate the prize with Lighthouse Immersive box office.

  4. Winners will be notified by email.  You will have 24 hours to claim your prize.  If we have not heard back from you within 24 hours, your entry will be disqualified and we will draw an additional name.



The fine print:
  • To participate in the contest, you must be 18 years of age or older.

  • One entry per person.

  • This giveaway is open to Canadian residents, excluding residents of Quebec. (Je m'excuse!)

  • This giveaway is void where prohibited by law.

  • This giveaway may be terminated or withdrawn at any time.

  • Entries may be disqualified at any time (reasons for disqualification include but are not limited to the provision of information that is untruthful, inaccurate, incomplete, or suspected fraudulent behaviour).

  • You must be able to use the tickets as offered.  (No cash value will be offered if you cannot use the tickets.)

  • Transportation to/from Toronto will not be provided.

  • Accommodations will not be provided.

  • Photo ID will be required to claim the tickets at the the Meridian Hall box office prior to the show on your way into the theatre.

  • The odds of winning depend on how many people enter the contest.

  • Contest closes on Wednesday December the 20th, 2023 at 11:59pm ET.  Entries received after this time will be disqualified.


 

With thanks to Starvox Entertainment for generously making these tickets available to you!

 






 




21 October 2023

London: Billy Kidd at Young Magicians Club Junior Day gala [Oct 22]

The Young Magicians Club is the youth initiative of The Magic Circle. 

Talent for the Junior Day gala includes:  Tobias Dostal, Billy Kidd, Jake Allen, Florian Brooks, Yollin Lee, and hosts Young & Strange.

 

From the October 9th Instagram post by the Young Magicians Club:

Our packed gala show line-up for Junior Day 2023. See you there!

 

 

 

 

15 October 2023

Random thoughts about "Young and Strange Delusionists" 2023

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Delusionists on their Canadian premiere! 

The last chance to catch Young and Strange Delusionists in Canada this year is in Windsor tonight, October 15th.

 

Young and Strange Delusionists poster

 

  Read our interview with Y & S where we learn:   
  • their origin story
  • their strengths
  • why the double act
  • similarities and differences with Champions of Magic
  • about back pain
  • who makes the soundtrack choices
  • their go-to karaoke songs
  • how they earned the sometimes used moniker, "the bickering illusionists"

 

On Friday Kidlet and I made the trek to Barrie's Georgian Theatre.

  • This was our first time in this cozy theatre.
  • The box office and theatre staff were super friendly and helpful.
  • As with the Champions of Magic show, I am genuinely afraid of posting spoilers.  The less you know going in, the more you'll enjoy it. 

 

 

 

On with the show...

Note to parents of young children:  The music can be very loud at times throughout the show.  There's also a smoke machine involved.  Forewarned is forearmed.

There's a videographer on hand to capture close-up miracles and project them nice and big on a screen so everyone can see!

 

Regular readers of the blog have probably guessed that this would be our summary of the show:

So. Much. Fun!

 

  • The show includes a majority of their well polished, finely tuned pieces from Champions of Magic, performed with the same high energy and enthusiasm we've come to expect from the duo.
  • The full show format provides an opportunity for each performer to share their individual strengths and personality. 
  • It is a highly interactive show.  By our count at least 22 volunteers were selected from the audience.
  • Both Young and Strange have well-honed close-up skills.
  • Strange does beautiful card manipulation. He also did some very bold sleight of hand in the palm of a spectator.
  • Young made many new Canadian friends performing close-up magic in the audience.  On more than one occasion he elicited very visceral responses from the spectators (myself included).
  • A wide variety of magical effects were demonstrated that included:  citrus arts & crafts, smart phones, kidney beans, a smattering of mentalism, bills, watches, ribbon, coins, and of course, cards!
  • Aerialist Michelle Mazzarella dazzled.
  • It's always a treat to see Young and Strange perform Gerry Frenette's original illusion. 
    (As an added bonus, Gerry and Leonora were also in the audience and we were able to visit with them too!) 
  • The audience ATE. IT. ALL. UP.  They were very much engaged throughout the show.  Kids and adults.  Especially the finale!
  • After the final blackout at the curtain call, you could hear a chorus of audience members shouting for "one more!" for quite some time!  

 

It is very clear that while they take their magic seriously, Young and Strange don't take themselves too seriously.

This makes for a delightfully fun show!

 

 

 

If you're not able to catch Young and Strange Delusionists this year, you may be able to see them as part of the Champions of Magic ensemble touring in 2023 - 2024.  Check the Champions of Magic website for current tour information.  [At this time, Canadian dates include Toronto (Dec 27 - 29), Regina (Mar 17), and Edmonton (Mar 22 - Apr 6).]

 

 

 

Disclosure:  Kidlet and I were guests at this show. The opinions expressed above are entirely my own. I did not receive compensation for the writing or the publishing of this article.

 

 

23 September 2023

Edmonton: Champions of Magic [Mar 22 - Apr 6, 2024]

Read our thoughts about their 2022 show:

TLDR: So. Much. Fun!

Random thoughts about "Champions of Magic" 


Read our 2022 interviews with the cast:

- Hollie England

- Alex McAleer

- Sam Strange

- Fernando Velasco

- Richard Young 
 

Tickets at Festival Place.

Can't make it to see them in Toronto  [Dec 27 - 31] or Edmonton [Mar 22 - Apr 6]?  Keep your eyes on ChampionsOfMagic.co.uk/tour.html for updates to the tour schedule.  A little bird told me they'll have dates in Regina as part of their 2023 - 2024 tour.  Additional rumoured locations include cities in BC, SK, and NS!

 

From Festival Place:

Break away from the screen and experience live entertainment like never before with Champions Of Magic - an evening of impossible illusions and spectacular special effects. Described by the press as ‘The Avengers of magic’ catch the only team of magicians in the world as they present their original, phenomenal ensemble illusions.

The Champions Of Magic cast present incredible interactive magic, a daring escape from Houdini’s water torture cell, a mind-blowing prediction that has to be seen to be believed, levitation high above the stage and a finale beyond explanation. The show happens all around the theatre and features spectacular illusions that can’t be seen anywhere else.

Read more and buy tickets.






29 June 2023

Toronto: Champions of Magic [Dec 27 - 31]

Read our thoughts about their 2022 show:

TLDR: So. Much. Fun!

Random thoughts about "Champions of Magic" 


Read our 2022 interviews with the cast:

- Hollie England

- Alex McAleer

- Sam Strange

- Fernando Velasco

- Richard Young 
 

Tickets at Ticketmaster.

Can't make it to see them in Toronto?  Keep your eyes on ChampionsOfMagic.co.uk/tour.html for updates to the tour schedule.  A little bird told me they'll have dates in Edmonton and Regina as part of their 2023 - 2024 tour.  Additional rumoured locations include cities in BC, SK, and NS!

 

From TO Live:

The Champions Of Magic cast present incredible interactive magic, a daring escape from Houdini’s water torture cell, a mind-blowing prediction that has to be seen to be believed, levitation high above the stage, and a finale beyond explanation. The show happens all around the theatre and features spectacular illusions that can’t be seen anywhere else.

Don’t miss this unbelievable show to entertain the entire family and see why fans return to see one of the world’s biggest touring illusion shows time and time again.

Read more and buy tickets.

 

 

From the June 22nd Tweet by TO Live:

They’ve sold out shows across the globe, been featured on every major US TV network and racked up over 50 million views online…but you haven’t seen magic until you’ve seen it live! Catch Champions Of Magic Dec. 27 to 29. 20% off for a limited time.๐ŸŒ 

 



05 December 2022

Random thoughts about "Champions of Magic" 2022

Last chance to catch Champions of Magic in Canada this year is in Peterborough on December 9th.

 

On Saturday Kidlet, and I made the trek to Kitchener's Circle In The Square.  

  • The last time I was at CITS was for one of the very first convention hosted by the Canadian Association of Magicians.
  • All of the theatre staff were super helpful, professional, and generally fabulous! 
  • While not mandatory, a good number of the patrons and ushers were masked.
  • The show is about an hour for the first half, with a 16 minute intermission, and about an hour in the second half.
  • As always with this show I am genuinely afraid of posting spoilers.  The less you know going in, the more you'll enjoy it.

 

 

 

We teased a few years back about a Champions of Magic Concert Album.  The show has matured to the point where it has a wonderful toe tapping soundtrack!  Going back to the 1930s with "Sing, Sing, Sing," to the 1960s with "The Girl from Ipanema," to the 1970s with "Live and Let Die" and of course the 80's hits transporting you back to 1989  Las Vegas!

On with the show...

Note to parents of young children:  The music can be very loud at times throughout the show.  There's also a smoke machine involved.  Forewarned is forearmed.

There's a videographer on hand to capture close-up miracles and project them nice and big on a screen so everyone can see!

 

 

Regular readers of the blog have probably guessed that this would be our summary of the show:

So. Much. Fun!


It's possible that between one half to two thirds of this show is new compared with their 2019 presentation.
If memory serves, there are no standard card tricks in the show!
  • As Strange, Velasco, and Young all indicated in their interviews, this show is very different from the one presented in Oshawa in 2019, and significantly different than the one mounted in Toronto in 2018.
     
  • There are more whole cast moments, making the show less of a patchwork piece and more of a thoughtfully woven production.

  • There's LOTS audience participation with both children and adults!

  • Visually stunning!

Whether you're new to magic or are a professional magician, there's something for everyone!

  • McAleer's material has undergone a significant change and he's introduced two new very strong pieces.  The first, a very visual effect with a young mentalist in training.  And the second a beautifully constructed homage to Keller.

  • England is net new to the show from it's 2019 iteration.  She showcases a strong skill set and talent that is intensely theatrical!  (I'll never look at a cup of tea the same way again.)
     
  • For those who have seen the show already, not to worry!  The cornerstone crowd-pleasers are still in the show, tweaked and refined!

  • Aerialist Michelle Mazzarella dazzled from above.

  • Velasco succeeds in breathtaking, heart-stopping escapes and then some.  Even though I've seen him do many of these things before, everything he does makes me nervous!

  • Young and Strange have carefully pruned their wonderful grand illusions and introduced some new things in their place.  Even after having seen them perform a similar set twice before, Young and Strange are remarkably entertaining to watch.  One can't help but get caught up in the fun they are having on stage!  They've introduced a collaborative piece with Velasco that has a very strong audience reaction.


While excellent magic is at the core of this experience, it's clear that the focus is providing a fabulously entertaining evening.

They definitely hit their mark!


  • This was the third time seeing the show and we were thoroughly entertained!  There are so many moments of joyous laughter, and periods of being completely enthralled in the spectacle.

  • It is clear that the acts and the scripts are a work in progress and continue to be thoughtfully curated, updated, and revised.  It gets better every time!
      
We highly recommend it!
(Even if you've seen it before.)

 

 

 

Disclosure:  Kidlet and I were guests at this show. The opinions expressed above are entirely my own. I did not receive compensation for the writing or the publishing of this article.

 

05 November 2022

A peek behind the curtain with Sam Strange [2022]


A peek behind the curtain with Sam Strange border= 


This is the last of a series of interviews leading up to the Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour shows in Markham [Nov 30 - Dec 1], Kitchener [Dec 2 - 3], and Peterborough [Dec 9].     

Canadian tour to start April 2023!


Read our 2019 interview where Sam shares:
 
- his interests outside of magic
- about pre-show rituals
- keeping performances fresh
- and his Broadway role of choice
 
What is your favourite thing about going on tour with Champions of Magic?

Champions of Magic is now a bigger show in scale, production and crew numbers than ever before.  Because of that, it is such a vibrant circus to be a part of. Even on the days off, or travel days between shows, there is always a good-spirited atmosphere with lots happening. Travelling in a large group with a shared passion for the show unifies everyone too. Needless to say that performing the actual show is an amazing buzz in itself, so that is a tempting first answer to give.

 

 

 
 
What is your most important self-care practice while on tour?
 
The most important thing for my own mental health and self care is to ensure Young and I get the biggest cheer and reaction during the final curtain call. As we are unlikely to receive that through our own ability as performers, we have to lower the standard of the other acts. Sabotaging props and playing complex mind games backstage often lowers their personal contribution to the show, therefore peacocking Young and I into a stronger position. Failing that we just pay off the sound technician to pipe in extra applause through the speakers.


What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about performing in Canada?
 
We once did a show in Saskatoon in January and by the time the trucks had made it over to the venue, everything inside was frozen. The extreme temperature over a prolonged trucking time had caused mayhem with so many of the illusions! Bolts wouldn’t move, batteries had failed and the technical crew setting up the lights, pyro etc were encountering countless problems. It really was a period of extreme whether and something I had never experienced before.

[Editor's note:  They say you haven't truly toured Canada unless you've had your equipment wheels freeze making load in, urm, challenging.]

In 2018 we managed to get a spot performing our illusions at the Toronto New Year's Eve celebrations at Nathan Phillips Square. We had been booked to perform at 11.40pm on the main stage. It was windy, raining and the DJ had to stop his set for us to do our introduction. Almost everything went wrong in that performance and it really wasn’t what 10s of thousands of people in the square wanted to see! We did our time but were rightly heckled throughout for killing the vibe in the lead up to midnight. We have never spoken of that night again...

I do genuinely love Canada and the Canadian people so I’m really sorry that both things that spring to mind were performances with a lot of stress and uncertainty.

[Editor's note:  Oh my!  Those are definitely memorable experiences, and not the good kind.  You need to tour here in the warmer weather.  You'll like your visits better, we're sure of it!]
What is your favourite part of the 2022 Champions of Magic show to perform?
 
I find this a tough question to answer. The reason for that is that we are continuing to work in new material and when that succeeds that feeling is difficult to compete with. It’s such a buzz. However, if pushed I’d have to say the finale which is a collaborative effort from the cast and crew; it has the vibrancy, energy, humour and production level to match my childhood dreams of becoming a stage illusionist. 

 
 
What is your favourite part of the 2022 Champions of Magic show to watch?  
 
Without doubt one of the best moments of the show to watch is when a new routine goes into the show. We always refer to it as a ‘sell out in the wings’. A new routine inevitably evolves quickly but that first night when scripted jokes are untested, magic techniques are a little shaky and you can see the subtle fear in the performers eyes, really make you appreciate live theatre. If it happens to be your own new routine or material in the show that night then it’s terrifying!  





 
 
 
 
 
 
What about the 2022 show would "2012 you" find unbelievable to imagine as your current reality?
 
That gratitude for the show we are in and those moments of reflection really are important.  In 2012 we had performed very little onstage and I think the biggest theatre we had played at that time was the Chipping Norton Theatre in Oxford, England, with a capacity of about 200. To think of the ground we have covered and rooms we are now playing with the show, it’s beyond what we imagined would have been possible. That relentless stage time also means the show (and hopefully our act within it) is only going in one direction.

There really is no secret to making a show good -- just perform it loads and try to proactively make improvements. 
   


 
 
 
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
 
I think all magicians fall into that trap of seeing a show once, making a judgment on it and then dismissing it having ‘seen it already.’ We have so many new elements to the Champions show now that even if you have the show before it will have evolved quickly and improved massively. So do come and see it if you can!

 

Thank you Sam, for making the time to answer our questions!

 
 
 
Catch Champions of Magic in: