#PRInvite #Gifted | Taking the page in a different direction for this exclusive review comes 'Four Magicians' - a new show which has been delighting audiences around north-east venues, before arriving home at The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen.
https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/four-magicians/
Star rating: ★★★
Four Magicians graced the stage at The Lemon Tree last week, and I was delighted to be asked along to attend. The show, aptly named ‘Four Magicians’, saw the return of double act Smith & Burns, Eoin Smith and James Dickson - who came together for the first time for this performance. This was also a homecoming show in Aberdeen, following a tour of north east arts venues, Eoin Smith himself stating: “We’ve had a lot of fun touring the show, but its the show in Aberdeen that we’re all most excited about”. With two more stops on the tour currently on sale, Four Magicians hopes to attract the attention of more local audiences in October and November.
From the offset of the show, you could see that the performance had been carefully moulded to captivate the home crowd from the very first trick. The magicians will have you considering more than just how these tricks are completed, with a heavy reliance on psychology throughout which makes each section quite enthralling. Sometimes, you can’t help but wonder if the audience selections are pre-planned - but as the show progresses through its many sequences, you really do struggle to believe what is happening in front of you. I, for one, would love to know the secrets behind each act of course.
To really allow the suspension of disbelief, audience participation is a necessary staple for any magic show - and this is something that the Four Magicians were great at. At all times, the audience were involved in each act - with volunteers participating from all areas of the auditorium. Sometimes the audience could interact with the tricks from their seat, but some paid the price when they were asked to join a magician or two on stage. None of the four magicians were shy in involving unsuspecting audience members from the back corners, as well as the front - so trust me when I say that no one is safe. My advice, is to sit in the middle and look them in the eye when they are scanning the crowds. It seemed to work for me!
Smith & Burns are a magic double act that have performed around the world, headlining in Hollywood and Las Vegas. Whilst the show was mostly scripted, the interactions Smith & Burns had with each other, and with the audience, were first class and this is where the performance excelled. Not only were we treated to illusions which definitely raised a few eyebrows in puzzlement, the duo are excellent with their comedy and had the audience giggling throughout - lifting the atmosphere of the show significantly.
Eoin Smith, son of Ivor Smith from Smith & Burns, is an award-winning magician who blends storytelling and mystery. He changed the pacing and mood of the performance drastically when he first arrived on stage. Eoin Smith was joined by a creepy war-time doll which enabled him the power to predict an image which a random audience member had doodled minutes before. The contrast from the witty sequence by Smith & Burns to the stark, eerie, nature of this section was a welcomed and an essential pivot from what could be a monotone succession of tricks. However, the transitions at times felt clunky, sometimes feeling that the show was yet to find its structural flow.
James Dickson is the final act to mention, a magical inventor and performer whose tricks are performed by some of the world’s top magicians. Without ruining any surprises, Dickson’s portion of the show with grapes was impressive - and a trick with a piece of string was extraordinary. It was nice to see some of the more traditional magic tricks you expect to see at a magic show remixed with a new approach. However, tricks like these only really work intimately. I have no doubt that audience volunteer Catriona was amazed by the sleight of hand up close, but from the auditorium, the smaller tricks including a grape and piece of string could be difficult to see. This meant that the appreciation of the skill was sometimes lost from the show - regardless of the performer - because it wasn’t as immersive as some parts of the show should have relied on.
The first act was lengthy, running at 90 minutes, but there was lots to take in and admire about the show which kept it running. Smith & Burns unfortunately teased the interval too early, which was slightly a poor choice, as the show’s pace started to stagger to the end of the first half. During the interval, the audience were asked to write down a question for the four magicians to answer during a Q&A section which rounded off the show. This was an effective way to end the performance, and the opportunity for the audience to learn more about each performer - their favourite tricks, venue and memories of starting out with magic. The second half was shorter, and ended with one final trick to send the audience out on their way. Each magician stood outside the auditorium to shake hands with their family, friends and patrons and this was a really nice personal touch upon exiting.
Four Magicians is a great show to start off this group partnership. Smith & Burns said: “Double acts in magic are uncommon, but seeing four magicians on stage at the same time is even rarer - so this really is a show unlike anything anyone has seen before”. Though there are no big stunts, levitations or cutting anyone in half - the smaller scale of the magic tricks themselves feel extremely intimate and that was very special to witness throughout the night. It is of course lovely to see the local venue, The Lemon Tree, sold out at this performance - a venue I rarely attend, but one with so much accessibility and availability. Tickets are available for the remaining tour stops, and I look forward to what the Four Magicians have in store in the future.
Follow the Four Magicians to their next tour stops by visiting their Linktree: https://linktr.ee/fourmagicians
Production photos supplied by Eoin Smith
Instagram links: @theatregramuk
Review by Joel Simpson cc: [email protected]