Palladium Magic- Exclusive Review

Last night, I went to the Palladium theatre to see one of the hottest events in magic history for years. I was really excited about it, but, as can be expected from a variety show, it was a mixed bag. Some performers were great, and others were abysmal. The magic was good, but the comedy was excruciating.

100 magicians were billed as appearing. However, only 15 acts performed on stage, 5 of whom weren't magicians. The other 85, including Penn and Teller:Fool Us star Chris Dugdale, did close-up magic to people in the aisles during the build-up and interval. I didn't see any of them in detail, though, which was a bit of a shame. The ones I did see were mostly ring and rope affairs and wholly meh.

As well as these 100, there were several iconic variety performers in the audience, including the magicians Wayne Dobson, David Berglas and Roy Heard, and the ventriloquists Roger De Courcey and Paul Zerdin.

However, the show was about the main 15 performers. Were they worth the centre billing?

FIRST HALF

The show started with a performance from the "Palladium Magic Dancers" . Like the acts that tend to open a Britain's Got Talent live show, they were technically proficient but meh and forgettable.

Following, and beginning the actual magic, was Erix Logan (Above). Logan performed several loud and exciting illusions, including making a singer appear from 5 small boxes stacked together and impaling an assistant on a giant pair of scissors.

Then came Yelena Larkina, a hula-hoop performer. Her performance was beautiful, amazing, faultless, and one of the best of the night.

She was followed by the first (And Best) of three American performers, Michael Finney (Below). He did some hackneyed but amusing card magic, and finished by making his head "vanish".

The next performer came from another distant land- France. Mikael Szanyiel did musical magic involving bow tie manipulations, sponge microphones and lots and lots of paper.

Whilst the stage hands were cleaning up, legendary magician Silvan did some of his signature card manipulations.

Following was Mac King, who did some very strange card magic, including the cards across effect and a signed card in several places trick.

Baton Twirler  Nathalie Enterline (Below) followed with a very good performance, then the first half finished with a Finnish magician. Marko Karvo did some excellent bird magic with flair and skill to allow the audience to go to the intermission impressed

SECOND HALF

On paper, this seemed like a better half then the first, but, untill the very end, was far, far worse. The dancers danced again (yawn), then came one of the worst acts of the night. John Calvert is 100 years old, and I honour him for both his past magic and his coming onto stage at that age, but his performance was still awful. After struggling to find his seat for half the performance, Calvert did a simplistic Scarves-on-rope trick.

The next act, top british magician Paul Zenon, should have been a blast. He begun excellently with his cut-and-restored microphone lead trick, but the performance petered out, as he spent nearly all the remainder swinging a glass of beer over his head. The patter meanwhile, was at times too edgy for the large family audience, but not edgy enough for the late-night club Zenon usually performs to.  In short, he was a bit dissappointing.

However, no one was more dissappointing then Kris Kremo. I was really looking forward to this legendary juggler's performance, but it was a mess. His ping-pong and scarve juggling was very good, but he made mistakes juggling hats and cigar boxes, and, in attempting to redo the failed moves, caused the show to drag on. It was a bit sad to see, and I think that he's beginning to lose his magic

Thankfully, the following performance was short, but also unessecary. Ben Stone was introduced as a singing magician, but just sang a meh number. He should audition for the X Factor, but not perform on this sort of show.

However, none of the above three performers, dissappointing as they were, were the worst of the night. That dubious honour goes to Jeff Hobson. The magic-some card stuff and an Egg Bag routine - was OK, but the presentation was horrific, with Hobson's presentational approach basically amounting to "Look at me, I'm soooo gay!" I don't understand how Vegas theatregoers put up with him for over an hour.

Thankfully, the final performer made the evening worthwhile. Hans Klok mixed card manipulations and sleights with lavish illsuions, including the "Eclipse"(one of my all-time favourite tricks) and his versions of the "Suspended Animation" and "Spiker" illusions. His act gave everyone something to talk about (For the right reasons) as they headed out of the theatre.

HOW WOULD I RATE THE EVENING?

The performers make a show like this. Some, such as Hans Klok and Yelena Larkina, justified the length of the show (3 and a half hours!) and the price of the tickets. Others, such as Jeff Hobson and John Calvert, were disasterous, and it saddens me that they were even on the bill at all. Meanwhile, some performers, such as Marko Karvo and Erix Logan, were better then I expected, but Kris Kremo and Paul Zenon were real letdowns. Due to this inconsistency, the show as a whole was niether great nor terrible, so I would give it a 3 star rating.

HOW WOULD I RANK THE PERFORMERS (From worst to best)

15. Jeff Hobson

14. John Calvert

13. Ben Stone

12. The Palladium Dancers

11. Mack King

10. Kris Kremo

9. Paul Zenon

8. Silvan

7. Michael Finney

6.Mikeal Szanyiel

5. Nathalie Enterline

4.Erix Logan

3. Marko Karvo

2. Yelena Larkina

1. Hans Klok

Americas Got Talent top 10- Landon Swank

FOR BRITISH VIEWERS, THIS ARTICLE MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.

WHAT TRICK DID LANDON DO?

Landon Slowed down the tempo, but still delivered an impressive trick.After a simple but clever beginning of turning a goldfish cracker into a real goldfish, Swank took the fish in his hands. He passed it through the tank, making the fish vanish as he did so. He then removed the hand. The trick was a little similar to the mirror trick that failed to get him through the quarterfinals, but the water was an impressive addition. There were a couple of minor faults (Some water came out as Landon was withdrawing his hand, and many people are arguing about whether the fish was supposed to vanish). But it was still a neat trick.

WHAT DID THE JUDGES SAY?

Howie did an annoying spiel about how amazing the trick was, in which he tried to get the word "Conjuring" in as often as possible. Piers was uncertain about the spilt water, but said the trick looked good on the television. At this point, Landon noted that this was the first time the trick went to plan. Sharon, meanwhile, praised the relaxed presentation and the contemporary nature of the trick.

WHAT IS THE COMPETITION LIKE?

History often repeats itself on this show. Just like last year, there is an opera singer, a bike act, a talented kid, a conventional dance act and a magician in the top 10. Just like last year, the magician made it through as a wildcard and beat a rival conjurer into the top 10. Just like last year, the magician is one of five acts mentioned frequently as potential finalists. But just like last year, there are only four spots. Whilst West Springfield Dance and Miami All-Stars fared badly, and the Smage Brothers, Lys Agnes, and Anna Gracemen failed to reach their full potential and can be ruled out, Four acts could ensure that Landon's hopes of winning end the same way Michael Grasso's did last year. TEAM ILuminate and Landau Murphy Jr. Were on excellent form and will probably make the top 10. Meanwhile, POPLYFE and the Silhouettes weren't as good, and aren't cited as potential winners as often, but have strong fanbases and spoiler appeal. Let's cross our fingers and pray that Landon beats either of the last two acts (Hopefully the Silhouettes because I like POPLYFE) to the final spot. His chances are moderate

AMERICAS GOT TALENT- Can Landon Swank make the grand final?

FOR BRITISH VIEWERS,THIS ARTICLE MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS

For the second straight year, Americas Got Talent has a magician in the top 10.

Landon Swank will compete in the top 10 on Tuesday night, and will compete for a place in next week's grand finale. Last year, Michael Grasso reached this stage, but failed to make the final round, despite recieving praise for his top 10 performance

Landon has been through a strangely similar journey to Grasso (Getting into the top 10 via the wildcard round, Knocking out another magician on the way), so he will be hoping that history doesn't repeat itself. . Landon has the ability to make it to the final. His tricks have been excellent, and the presentation amazing. Furthermore, Landon has upped his game tremendously, changing his approach from simple but clever magic to exciting and dangerous tricks that appear to be taking a leaf out of Australia's got Talent runner-up Paul Cosentino's book.

However, Swank has three things to do if he wants to better Michael Grasso and make the final round.

1. GIVE A FLAWLESS PERFORMANCE- Landon's last trick was excellent, but there was one problem with it. Many online commentators felt it was a little easy to figure out, due to some minor flaws in the execution of the trick (1. Why is the box shaking? and 2.Why does he have goggles when he gets out but not in the video?). It was still a good performance, but minor mistakes like that can make a big difference in the top 10. Therefore, Landon will need to be on his guard to avoid this, and give a trick that is exciting, original, and hard to figure out
2. CONVINCE THE SKEPTICS- This is the stage where large fanbases or sob stories alone are no longer enough to help acts. They have to put on the best performances they physically can to appeal to the largest and most important group of voters-The neutrals who vote solely on the quality of the latest performance. Therefore, avoiding mistakes will be more important then ever. Furthermore, there are some people who are unconvinced that someone other then a singer or dancer will win. Can Landon change their minds?
3. BEAT THE COMPETITON-Landon has some excellent competition. The Sinatra-voiced Landau Murphy Jr., The inventive TEAM ILuminate and opera singer Lys Agnes are the ones to beat. Young acts Anna Graceman, POPLYFE and the Shilouettes are very impressive for their age (Especially POPLYFE), but some viewers may be uncomfortable about the idea of kids performing in Vegas. Meanwhile, The horror-influenced West Springfield Dance, The classic-Hollywood dance act Miami All-Stars and the Stunt motorcyclists The Smage Brothers seem like filler, but are still very strong acts.

As usual, Landon's chances depend on his next performance, but judging by his showmanship, his illusions, and the way he has upped his game throughout the contest (Something Sharon Osbourne brought up in the semifinal round), he should hopefully give an excellent performance.

Americas Got Talent Semifinals- Landon Swank

FOR BRITISH VEIWERS, THIS ARTICLE MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

WHAT DID LANDON DO?

Upping the danger level even further, Landon performed a high-stakes mentalism routine. In it, there were four boxes with explosives attached, each rigged to a controller. From inside one of the boxes, he told the judges to choose a controller each and use it to blow up the corresponding box.  The did, leaving one box untouched. Landon jumped out of that one, safe and sound. To prove that there was no rigging, and that the whole thing was genuine, Landon used the remaining controller to blow up the box he had been in.Again, while the concept was familiar, the presentation was excellent, and, just like last time, the suspense was really milked. Earlier in the competition, Frank Miles performed a trick with a similar theme, but Landon's was much better

WHAT DID THE JUDGES SAY?

All three judges gave Landon a standing ovation. Howie said that he was concerned because "We came close to killing you", but felt that the performance was "amazing". Piers said that Landon was a "dark horse" and said that the trick was "Dangerous" and "Exciting". Sharon, who had accidently buzzed Landon during the buildup, admitted her mistake had been due to nerves, but praised Landon's "A+" presentation. She also added that she felt Landon was "Pacing himself" excellently (Compare this trick with the mirror one he did in his quarterfinal round), as opposed to doing the big ones early (A pitfall that has cost magicians like Kevin James and Shimshi before).

WHAT WAS THE COMPETITION LIKE?

It's hard to predict, as, just like with the wildcard round, no one was perfect. Apart from Landon, only Anna Graceman, who sang "Home sweet home", and the Smage brothers, who got their whole family to help them, got praise from all three judges. The Shilouettes, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., Snap Boogie and Fatally Unique all got mixed reviews, with one judge or another stating that they had been better in previous rounds. The Knetic King and Professor Splash did well, but I doubt that they can hold an hour-long show. Meanwhile, three acts each recieved an X (From Piers, natch): Steven Retchless, who was a bit boring compared to other acts, Summerwind Skippers, who made mistakes and were not as exciting as last time, and Gymkana, who had one member doing chair balancing which was weaker than Zuma Zuma's last week, and the rest doing repetitive flips, cumilating in a performer botching a jump through a flaming hoop and only narrowly avoiding injury. Their problems sum up the judges complaints about the bulk of the acts

WHAT ARE LANDON'S CHANCES LIKE?

Landon has a moderate to high chance of advancing, given the judges praise of him, and the weak quality of most of the competition.

Penn and Teller: fool us-episode 8

After two months and 31 magicians, Penn and Teller: Fool us has finished airing. Hopefully (Although  I can't say for certain due to the meh ratings) It will return for a christmas special. In today's episode, we had some gory magic, Some modern magic,some youthful magic, some slick magic, and even a "Death". But did anyone fool Penn and Teller?

Lee Hathaway-Close-up Magician

In a trick that certainly can't be packaged in a magic set, Hathaway had a volunteer choose a card from a randomly-chosen deck and place the whole deck in a box in his back. He then appeared to cut himelf open (WIth the resulting entrails looking less convincing as the trick wore on) and pulled the chosen card out of his stomach. The trick fooled Penn and Teller.

Jack Trapnell- 14 year old card trickster.

Trapnell's trick was far better than the last teenage trickster we saw on the show, Daniel Kraemer. In it, he had Penn choose a card at random, and Teller deal down in a different pack to a random card. He then predicted Penn's card, and revealed it matched the one chosen by Teller. The trick didn't quite fool Penn and Teller, but they noted that most viewers at home would be fooled. I think I was.

Laura London- Magicienne

After Romany, Laura London was the second female performer during the whole series. She did a "bill-in-lemon" trick that was more like a "Bill-in-walnut-in-egg-in-randomly-chosen-lemon" trick.  Many viewers, including me and Penn and Teller themselves, hoped that she could win the trip to vegas, but she diidn't manage to fool Penn and Teller. The two noted that they'd done the trick themselves, but praised Laura's spin on it.

Martin Daniels-illusionist and son of Paul Daniels

This trick ranks up with Chris Dugdale's video trick in the last show as one of the most memorable, if least impregnable, tricks seen on the series. In it, Martin performed the "asrah levitation" in phantom of the opera garb. It appeared to be performed totally straight, as a traditional "Levitation and Vanish" trick. However, when the assistant vanished, both Her and Martin appeared in the audience. The man in the mask was revealed as Paul Daniels himself! They adnmitted themselves that they weren't out to fool Penn and Teller, and they didn't, but it was still a trick that everyone will be talking about.

Penn and Teller finished the show with the world's first underwater card trick. In it, Teller was locked in a water tank, and had to hold his breath for a whole, long-drawn-out card trick. After several failed attempts from Penn at finding a chosen, signed, card, Teller appeared to drown underwater (he didn't really. Watch closely and you'll see he's using breathing apparatus). Penn turned teller's body around to reveal the signed card on Teller's gogggles.

The Magicians-Top 5 tricks

In January, BBC brought magic back onto our saturday night screens with the magicians. The show, in which three top magicians (Luis de Matos, Chris Korn and Barry and Stuart) taught various celebrities to perform their tricks with them, received mixed reviews for it's celebrity gimmick and lack of prize for the winners, But earned deservedly solid ratings thanks to the appeal of the (admittedly mostly B-list) celebrity guests themselves (N-Dubz! Diversity!), but above all, due to the amazing magic. He are my personal top 5 tricks during the whole series

5. Floating Butterflies (Luis De Matos + Tulisa from N-Dubz)

Some of the best magic tricks in the world are those that are simple to describe, but beautiful to watch. The floating butterflies effect is one of those, and was perfectly done by Luis and Tulisa

4. X ray interlude (Barry and Stuart + Ade Edmonson)

This was, to put it simply, a wonderful piece of shock magic made hilarious by the young, handsome and scottish version of Penn and Teller.

3. Smash and Stab (Chris Korn + Samantha Womack)

Chris Korn was the weakest of the 3 magicians, but he still did some good tricks. Notable among these was his version of the Smash and Stab trick, which utilized excellent showmanship and a real sense of suspense.

2. Red Carpet Trick (Barry and Stuart + Angela Griffin)

 Barry and Stuart added infrared cameras and hilarious jokes to a simple shadowbox trck. It's not difficult to figure out, but the showmanship is wonderful

1. Divesity from a cardboard box (Luis de Matos + Diversity)

The trick is great. The showmanship is wonderful. And Diversity are amazing dancers. This was a great performance to see and talk about, and a wonderful way of kicking the series off.

Penn and Teller: Fool Us

Three weeks after the previous episode aired, Penn and Teller: fool us is back on Sunday with a special episode. This means that, for the first time ever, I will cover the episode live as it happens.4 magicians will compete to fool the magic duo. Who are they?

Lee Hathaway

An award winning British professional who has created the Magic Masters and Wow! Street magic sets.

Laura London

Similar to burlesque magician Romany from warier this series, but can she do what Romany didn't?

Jack trapnell

A 15 year old magician. Like David Kraemer, expect him to be great for his age

Martin

I'm not revealling his surname, because you should watch on sunday to find out which famous magician is Martin's father. You'll like him, though. Not a lot, but you'll like him

To find out which, if any of these, fool Penn and Teller, tune in on Sunday at 9:00 to find out