Random thoughts about Outerbridge Magic -- Mysteries of the Keyhole House

  Catch "Mysteries of the Keyhole House" in Ontario:  

• November 8, 2024 - River Run Centre, Guelph, ON
• December 31, 2024 - Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Oakville
• January 2-5, 2025 - Ottawa Little Theatre, Ottawa
• February 22, 2025 – Showplace Peterborough, Peterborough
• March 9, 10, 2025 - The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington
• March 15, 2025 - New Roads Performing Arts Centre, Newmarket

 

KOP and I had the pleasure of seeing Marion and Ted Outerbridge perform their show "Mysteries of the Keyhole House" at the Milton Centre for the Arts.

[As an aside, we encourage you to go and see a show at this fabulous 500 seat theatre.  It's approximately 25 minutes west of Toronto's western border.  The facilities are modern and spacious.  On the lower level, it appears that all seats have amazing sight lines.  (We didn't venture up to the balcony.)  The seats are a little bit wider than standard theatre seats, which makes them very comfortable!  Parking is free and plentiful.]

[Additionally, this is the first magic show we've been to where there's been an ASL interpreter available.  The interpreter was easily seen and unobtrusive.  They did not distract from the show.  There appeared to be quite a few folks in the audience fluent in sign language.  I'm sure the service was well appreciated!]

 

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Here are some random thoughts that came to mind while watching Ted and Marion share some fascinating stories about their current home and the individuals who had previously lived there:

• The tone of the show was nicely set with a carefully curated period piece soundtrack which included "All That Jazz," "It Don't Mean a Thing," and Glenn Miller ("In the Mood" we think.)
• The show was a BRAND NEW SHOW with very little overlap with their previous show "Outerbridge Clockwork Mysteries."  (Sadly there was no way to work the disco ball jacket that Marion painstakingly created for Ted, into the new show.)
• We were tremendously lucky to be at a show where illusionist technician Shenna Dunn came out of retirement!  Her grace and talent at the beginning of the show made for a delightful opener!
  
• This show is extraordinarily creatively satisfying.  It is very clear that a lot of time and thought has been put into tying all of the visuals into the theme of the show.  Just about every item on stage looked like it was part of an historical play.  The smallest details were considered; from the shape of the centre spot, to the use of golf clubs in lieu of a typically used magic prop, and of course the fabulous costumes created by Marion.  Well done Ted and Marion!

 

This show is a masterclass in organically driven story telling. The premise of the show is based on historical events. The compelling narrative is highlighted with creatively re-imagined, and expertly executed magical effects.

 

• All illusions, big and small, were masterfully performed.
• The story telling is equally as important and entertaining as the magic and illusions.
  
• There is a nice ratio of grand illusion, intimate magic, and mentalism.
• Marion has upped her game with fantastically executed magic!  (On top of sharing her superb dance and quick change talents.)

 

Kudos to Ted and Marion for going out of their way to right some wrongs for previous owners of the Keyhole house!

 

• We counted 14 volunteers.  Sitting at the back of the theatre provides little to no protection from being selected as a volunteer!
  
• While this is certainly a family-friendly show, this is NOT a show aimed at children.  There are some mature themes involved.  And the wee one behind us found the "séance" portion of the show a little bit frightening.
• The evening was a marvelous blend of historical story telling, mixed with masterful performances!
  

 

Possibly the only magic show based entirely on a slice of Canadian history.

 

We think you'll enjoy "Mysteries of the Keyhole House" as much as we did!

  Catch "Mysteries of the Keyhole House" in Ontario:  

• November 8, 2024 - River Run Centre, Guelph, ON
• December 31, 2024 - Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Oakville
• January 2-5, 2025 - Ottawa Little Theatre, Ottawa
• February 22, 2025 – Showplace Peterborough, Peterborough
• March 9, 10, 2025 - The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington
• March 15, 2025 - New Roads Performing Arts Centre, Newmarket

To learn more about this fabulous duo, listen to the Scott Wells' podcast 278: The Inner Secrets of the Outerbridges, visit their website at OuterbridgeMagic.com and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.  To learn more about The Keyhole House, follow its Instagram and Twitter accounts!

Disclosure:  KOP and I 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.

 

From the October 28th Facebook post by the FirstOntario Peforming Arts Centre - St. Catharines:

Ted and Marion Outerbridge brought an outstanding and engaging magic show to Partridge Hall last week!

Mysteries of the Keyhole House was a show we'll never forget!

All photos by Joel Naphin / Music Life Magazine www.musiclifemagazine.net

 

 

 

Peterborough and Hamilton: Greg Frewin's Wild Magic [Sep 22 - 23]

Tickets at TixHub (Peterborough) and TicketWeb (Hamilton).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ontario: Outerbridge Magic -- Mysteries of the Keyhole House [Oct - Mar]

From the August 23rd Facebook post by Outerbridge Magic:

We are delighted to share our 2024/25 tour dates for Outerbridge Magic | Mysteries of the Keyhole House and we hope that you will join us.

• October 4, 2024 - The Marble Arts Centre, Tweed, ON
• October 5, 2024 - Bancroft Village Playhouse, Bancroft, ON
• October 24, 2024 - First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, St. Catharines, ON
• October 25, 2024 - First Ontario Arts Centre Mattamy Theatre, Milton, ON
• October 26, 2024 - Flato Markham Theatre, Markham, ON
• November 8, 2024 - River Run Centre, Guelph, ON
• December 31, 2024 - Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Oakville, ON
• February 22, 2025 – Showplace Peterborough, Peterborough, ON
• March 9, 10, 2025 - The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington, ON
• March 15, 2025 - New Roads Performing Arts Centre, Newmarket, ON

 

 

 

 

Ottawa, Port Colborne, & Peterborough: Enchanted Wonders [Apr 12 - 14]

Tickets at EnchantedWondersMagic.com

 

From the February 6th Instagram post by Enchanted Wonders Magic:

Get ready to be spellbound! 🎩✨ Enchanted Wonders, featuring four of the nation’s top family magicians, is about to captivate audiences at Roselawn Centre in Port Colborne! Today’s the day tickets become available – don’t miss out on securing your seat for an evening filled with unforgettable magic and excitement!

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Hamilton, Peterborough, and Cobourg: Canadian Masters of Magic [Dec 12 - 14]

Featuring Ryan Joyce, Nathaniel Rankin, and guests TBA!

 

Tickets:

• Dec 12 - Hamilton
• Dec 13 - Peterborough
• Dec 14 - Coburg
   

 

From the Facebook event:

Get ready to be amazed by the Canadian Masters of Magic, produced by the Ontario OWOW Magic Festival. This incredible show features the best of the best in Canadian magic, including magicians who have wowed audiences and judges on popular shows like Penn & Teller's Fool Us and Canada's Got Talent.

Be prepared to have your mind blown as these masters of magic perform unbelievable illusions and impressive feats of mentalism and sleight of hand. Don't miss this evening of magic and mystery that will captivate your imagination and leave you in awe.
Canadian Masters of Magic - where the extraordinary is the ordinary!

IN SUPPORT OF MAKE-A-WISH CANADA
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
McIntyre Performing Arts Centre

 

 

From the Facebook event:  

Get ready to be amazed by the Canadian Masters of Magic, produced by the Ontario OWOW Magic Festival. This incredible show features Ryan Joyce and Nathaniel Rankin showcasing the best of the best in Canadian magic. A Vegas-style show, our magicians have wowed audiences and judges on popular shows like Penn & Teller's Fool Us and Canada's Got Talent.

Be prepared to have your mind blown as these masters of magic perform unbelievable illusions and impressive feats of mentalism and sleight of hand. Don't miss this evening of magic and mystery that will captivate your imagination and leave you in awe.

Canadian Masters of Magic - where the extraordinary is the ordinary!
IN SUPPORT OF CRIME STOPPERS PETERBOROUGH-NORTHUMBERLAND.
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Showplace Performance Centre

 

 

From the Facebook event:  

Get ready to be amazed by the Canadian Masters of Magic, produced by the Ontario OWOW Magic Festival. This incredible show features Ryan Joyce and Nathaniel Rankin showcasing the best of the best in Canadian magic. A Vegas style show, our magicians have wowed audiences and judges on popular shows like Penn & Teller's Fool Us and Canada's Got Talent.

Be prepared to have your mind blown as these masters of magic perform unbelievable illusions and impressive feats of mentalism and sleight of hand. Don't miss this evening of magic and mystery that will captivate your imagination and leave you in awe.

Canadian Masters of Magic - where the extraordinary is the ordinary!
PROUDLY IN SUPPORT OF CRIME STOPPERS PETERBOROUGH-NORTHUMBERLAND.

Event Tickets & Info Line: 1-800-516-5810

 

 

 

Kelowna and Ontario: Sean Watson and Chanelle Munroe [Apr 21, 27 - 30]

Catch Sean Watson and Chanelle Munroe in Magician and the Muse with special guests Aaron Matthews, Caroline Matthews, and Ken Pham!

• April 21 - Kelowna
• April 27 - Peterborough
• April 28 - Cornwall
• April 29 - Toronto
• April 30 - Hamilton
  

From the April 17th Instagram post by Sean Watson:

Here is our April theatre tour schedule. With special guest performers @aaronmatthewsmagic @carolinematthewsmagic @sincityillusions We hope to see you there! @chanelle_munroe 

 

 

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Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, & Peterborough: Ben and Jonah's Magic Road Trip [Apr 23, 29, 30, May 12]

From the March 25th Instagram post by The Toronto Magic Company: 

Ben and Jonah are two of Toronto’s busiest magicians. They’ve sold out shows at comedy clubs and theaters across Canada, amazed Penn and Teller on their hit tv show, Fool Us, and created mind-blowing magic that’s used by magicians all over the world.

Now they’re taking their show on the road (literally!) and bringing the magic and fun across Canada!

Jam-packed with laughs and audience interaction, this show is perfect for families and adults alike. Join Ben and Jonah as they read minds, predict the future, and astound you with world-class sleight-of-hand that looks like real-life CGI!

 

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Ontario: The Canine Circus [Mar 15 - Jun 3]

From the February 28th Instagram post by The Canine Circus:

This show features two of our star performers! The show is really focused on each individual dog & what makes them special! Stick around afterwards for an interactive meet & greet following each performance! 🐶🎪

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From the March 8th Instagram post by The Canine Circus:

Tickets on sale now for April 2, May 13 & 14! Tickets for April 16th go on sale this upcoming Wednesday! 🎟️🎉

We're taking the circus for a walk! Witness the world-renowned furry four-legged cast members performing tail-wagging feats of courage, bone-dropping grand illusions and Labrador-able stunts!

 

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Ontario: Keith Brown [Feb 24, Mar 4, 18, 24, 25, May 10]

From the February 15th Tweet by Keith Brown:

Upcoming Shows!

Lots happening in the next couple months.

Full list here: https://t.co/FAByz8EBmm pic.twitter.com/nUxoIkoeAb

— Keith Brown (@KeithHBrown) February 15, 2023

 

 

Ontario: The Canine Circus [Apr - Jun]

From the January 30th Instagram post by The Canine Circus:

We’re talking the circus for a walk! Witness our world-renown furry four legged cast performing tail wagging feats, bone dropping grand illusions & labrador-able stunts!
.
.
TICKETS ON SALE SOON! KEEP AN EYE ON OUR PAGE!
.
.
Brought to you by @thecaninecircus @aaronmatthewsmagic & @sincityillusions 🎪🐶

 

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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 conventions 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.

 

Champions of Magic, a family-friendly world-class magic show, is coming to the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Dec. 9. https://t.co/ITeKqW0BKs

— Ptbo This Week (@PtboThisWeek) November 24, 2022

 

 

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.

• With every passing year, the cast are more authentic and the show feels more organic.  Which translates to a demonstrable increase in entertainment value!
  
  
• Hollie England, Alex McAleer, 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!

• 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.)

 

@ChampionsMagic are here Friday December 9. Grab your tickets now to witness the most breathtaking and unforgettable tricks you’ll see this year! https://t.co/dbF6Cn2Wek pic.twitter.com/KB5ynxstHr

— Peterborough Memorial Centre (@PtboMemCentre) November 30, 2022

 

 

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.

 

A peek behind the curtain with Sam Strange [2022]

 

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.

 

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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!  

 

 

 

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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. 

   

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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:

• Markham [Nov 30 - Dec 1]
• Kitchener [Dec 2 - 3], and 
• Peterborough [Dec 9]. 
  
  Champions of Magic Canadian tour to start April 2023!