This monthly menagerie of magic is hosted by magician Ryan Pilling, known internationally as a creative inventor of original tricks, and for uncovering forgotten secrets from the history of magic. That's right, you'll see both the newest and oldest tricks in the book... in the same show!
Each month Ryan invites wonderfully talented friends who can strut their wit and/or wizardry to create a unique experience and a you-had-to-be-there show of wonders.
I still remember doing my very first theatre show almost ten years ago. No big
crew, no real plan—just a bunch of us figuring it out as we went, and a room
full of friends and family who believed in me way before anyone else did.
Fast
forward to now… and I’m going on tour. Like, actual cross-Canada,
coast-to-coast tour.
The team’s a little bigger now, the vision’s a
little stronger—and we couldn’t be more excited to bring this to life.
This
is an independently produced tour, built show by show, city by city. And now
we’re taking it across the country.
Earlier this month the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians awarded Dustin MacMillan a GOLD MEDAL for his Parlour Magic performance. "Parlour" is a type of magic that is up close, within reach of the audience, leaving nowhere to hide. I won't share any spoilers, but will say that this act will leave your mind totally mixed up!
I’m excited to be attempting some great escapes this year at “ The Greatest
Show Outside” at the Stage of Wonders. I also get the amazing pleasure
of working with my dear friends Sean Watson and Chanelle Munroe. Last time I
was at the Calgary Stampede was 1980 with my family. I watched and was
inspired by legendary Canadian magician John Kaplan. I told my self that one
day I would be on that stage. 45 years later I get my opportunity. Follow your
dreams and Never surrender ! Who’s coming to watch us?
This was our first trip to FirstOntario Concert Hall.
It is a lovely theatre with 2 levels of balconies and a seating capacity of
just over 2000.
There is a 6 level parking garage across from the theatre (be prepared to
pay event pricing!) and quite a few surface lots within easy walking
distance.
The theatre staff were super helpful, professional, and generally
fabulous!
The show is approximately 2 hours in length, including a 15 minute
intermission.
As always with this show we are genuinely afraid of posting spoilers.
The less you know going in, the more you'll enjoy it!
FirstOntario Concert Hall, Hamilton ON
On with the show...
Note to parents of young children: The music can be very loud
at times throughout the show. There are also smoke and fog machines
involved. Forewarned is forearmed.
There's a videographer on hand
to capture close-up miracles and project them on a big screen so everyone
can see!
It is always a treat to see Champions of Magic!
Pre-show vibes
There were plenty of children in the audience. Many people in the
audience had seen the show at least once before. Some of the
children brought their own RL/GL props! (IYKYK.)
They've added spectacular lightwalls upstage which add to the ambience of
the set.
The show is very different from the ones we've seen previously*. There
are significant changes in both the cast, and the structure of the
production. *Toronto
2018,
Oshawa
2019, Kitchener 2022, and Toronto 2023
For those who have enjoyed the shows they've presented in the past, not to
worry! They have retained some of their cornerstone
crowd-pleasers!
Some of the new segments are bound be become future cornerstone
crowd-pleasers!
Significant parts of the show consist of imaginative narrative brought to
life through full ensemble numbers.
There are also plenty of moments for each of the acts to shine as solo
performers.
There was LOTS audience participation with both children and adults!
By our count, 13 volunteers were involved. Many of the volunteers were
able to do so from the comfort of their seats. A lucky few were
brought on stage for a fully immersive show experience!
Some notes on volunteer handling. (Regular readers will recall that
we pay close attention to the
treatment
of
audience volunteers.) We were particularly impressed when:
- Velasco went searching for a child to bring on stage. The first
kid he asked, declined. Velasco didn't miss a beat and quickly found
someone else. Additionally, Velasco informed the selected volunteer
in advance what was going to happen, and then asked for her consent to
continue.
We think more kids were interested in helping out after that.
They got the sense that they weren't going to be pressured into doing
something they didn't want to do.
- At one point Young and Strange also required two children to
volunteer. These kids were also treated with respect and weren't
talked down to in any way. In fact, Strange broke character for a
brief moment and instantly put the boys at ease. It was as if he
manifested the same child wrangling superpowers gifted to elementary
school teachers, and parents of young children. This
segment of the the show
ends with the volunteers receiving tremendous audience applause!
Well
done team!
The show was visually stunning!
Whether you're new to magic or are a professional magician, there's
something for everyone!
Larsen showcased talents we'd not previously seen in a Champions of Magic
show. She has a very creative style that delivers personal and
refreshing takes on some classics of magic. As an added bonus for
magicians, she spent a little bit of time talking about her magical
family. This provided a springboard for captivating and organic
storytelling, punctuated with magical effects.
Velasco succeeded in breathtaking, heart-stopping stunts both large and
small. In addition to having the audience on the edge if their seats,
he also performed some head-scratching miracles at a smaller scale. It
will surprise you not, that one of this escape artist's effects conjures the
name Harry Houdini.
Young and Strange are always delightful! Even when (and in some cases especially when) they
are bickering, they are very compelling. One can't help but get caught
up in the fun they are having! Both individually, and together as a
double act, they consistently deliver impressive sleight of hand, laugh out
loud comedy, and a truly exhilarating exhibition of grand illusion.
Since we last saw them in 2023 they've introduced some pieces of magic that
were both very impressive and thoroughly entertaining. They get bonus
points for mentioning Canadian born magician Dai Vernon. Additionally
we were treated to video clips featuring Siegfried & Roy, and
David Copperfield. (It goes without saying that Young's
homage to David Copperfield Easter egg is still in the show.)
The magic is excellent. Most importantly, the show is wonderfully entertaining.
The acts and the scripts are a work in progress and continue to be
thoughtfully curated, updated, and revised. (Bonus points for
inserting both current affairs and localized content!)
This was our fifth time seeing Champions of Magic and we enjoyed it every
bit as much as the previous incarnations.
We highly recommend it! (Even if you've seen it before.)
Final bows with Sam Strange, Liberty Larsen, Fernando Velasco, and Richard
Young
Post-show vibes
Disclosure: We were guests at this show. The opinions expressed above
are entirely our own. We did not receive compensation for the writing or the
publishing of this article.
With thanks to Champions of Magic for the tickets.
MAGIC LECTURE APRIL 1!! Award winning family entertainer Mike Norden will be
presenting his acclaimed lecture for the Edmonton Magic Club. Considered one
of Canada's best family magicians, Mike will share with you the REAL SECRETS
of performing for family audiences.
Here's the deal, you can show up at the next Wit & Wizardry - Comedy Magic Cabaret in a dreadful mood. You can grumble about our free parking, use bad language with our box office volunteer, and be a right miserable bugger. I'll allow it this time, because I'm about to release the secret weapon...
One of my little aspiring magicians is doing her first public-ticketed solo
show on March 1st!! London and I have been working together on magic for 8
years, and I could not be more proud.
If you are in Calgary and
want to support young talent, check out this upcoming show.
Big announcement, by popular demand! Here's some of the places I will not be this month!
I've had to postpone one of my stay-at-home days to attend Wit & Wizardry - Comedy Magic Cabaret on Jan 22nd. Maybe you should ALSO leave the house and come hang out with me.
This Saturday, Dec 28th in Calgary! Comedian Ben Cannon joins me as the special guest star at Wit & Wizardry - Comedy Magic Cabaret.
A performer with a knack for blending self-deprecating wit with keen observational humor, Ben has graced stages at prestigious events like the YYComedy Festival. He also produces Ducking Comedy at Ducky’s, a local favorite that showcases some of Calgary’s top comedic talent. Whether he’s headlining shows or producing his own, Ben’s commitment to uplifting the local comedy scene is undeniable.
Ben’s material often reflects his Métis heritage, Calgary roots, and the hilarious awkwardness of navigating life’s twists and turns. With an easygoing charm and a genuine connection to his audience, he’s a comedian who leaves every crowd both entertained and wanting more.
It will truly be an evening featuring both Wit annnnd Wizardry, as I'll be hosting the show and bringing a few minor miracles to warm your winter. See you there!
