SHOW "ILLUSIONISTS" AGAIN RETURNS TO DUBAI. WE MET WITH ONE OF THE BRIGHTEST ITS REPRESENTATIVES BY MARC KALIN (THE SHOWMAN) TO FIND OUT ALL SECRETS. The show "Illusionists 1903" dates back to the end of the Victorian era, when magic was at the peak of its popularity. Can you tell us more about the show?
I was directly involved in the process of creating this show, so I had a chance to return magic to the stage, which I find special, to return magicians whom I respect and admire. Charlie Fry is a true discovery, a magician who has honed and perfected his skills for years. He is the personification of magic of 1903, a true professional. Other illusionists come to his every speech to watch him from behind the curtains.
Ginger is the only woman performing solo. She devoted all her life to great magic. I think this is very unusual. Many consider the magic that existed at the turn of the century to be rather "old-fashioned." But in fact, at that time there were many very popular female magicians on stage. They were real stars. Talma from the trio Le Roy, Talma and Bosco, Adelaide German, Anna Eva Fay. And perhaps then their magic was considered innovative!
In those days, magic was different - more intricate, more ambiguous. She was shrouded in mystery. It is these elements that charge great magic. "Old" tricks sometimes seem completely new and exciting. For example, Tommy and Amelie show a clairvoyant trick that was very popular in the early 1900s. This form of telepathy captivated America and Europe. I watch the masters, and I get the feeling that I'm back in the past. What they do is as extraordinary and amazing as it was in the great theaters of the Golden Age. People believed in magic then, believe now.
What attracted you to the world of magical tricks and illusions? Why did you want to be among the "Illusionists"?
I started doing magic at the age of nine. Then I accidentally stumbled upon the Book of Magic in the library. I was fond of puppets, and a book about magic was standing right next to a book about dolls. My first performance was when I was 12 years old. At 19, I decided that I needed a tiger with whom I could go to Las Vegas. So I did - I stopped working on illusions, got permission from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Wildlife Conservation Society, and bought a tiger. I took a couple of sexy girls with me, a few costumes and - hello Las Vegas! I worked there for more than ten years.
Where do you get new ideas for your tricks? What inspires you?
Sometimes I am inspired by the magic of the past, intricate tricks and illusions, the descriptions of which I met in old books. And sometimes it can be a piece of music. Over the course of my career, I have come up with many illusions and effects, the rights to which I then sell to magicians.
What illusion, or illusions, do you consider the most successful?
Each time you work on creating some kind of illusion, you hope that it becomes the most successful. But, of course, the focus with the disappearance of the liner was the most difficult and successful in my career. This illusion of extinction is still considered the most incredible. Ginger and I also demonstrate a trick with sawing a girl into two parts, which was first performed by Percival Thomas Tibbles in 1921.
This is a combination of coordination, skill and speed mixed with a touch of humor and resourcefulness, which took many years to develop and thousands of performances took. Many will say that this illusion was the most successful. No good magician can master it to the end. We always strive to improve it.
Is there any idea that you have not yet implemented, but would you really like to do this?
Yes. This is a trick with fireflies, which has long been of particular interest to me. They are magical, each of them has its own charm and emotional memory. Focus should be great.
What is your favorite moment during the show? The adrenaline rush before going on stage or the satisfaction that you experience after the performance?
I like the preparation process itself. I love to create magic for myself and for others. This can take months or even years. Then you need to write a focus script, add musical accompaniment, stage a performance and rehearse it again and again. It is the process itself that brings me the most satisfaction.
What is your favorite trick of all time?
The trick I learned at the age of nine is a juggling ball trick. I still adore him.
What essentially makes the illusion great?
Scale. An illusion the size of a person or more is considered grandiose. A woman floating in the air, an elephant appearing - these are grandiose illusions.
Why do you like being a magician?
I always did it well. This is an innate talent. Plus, I like to be part of a great history of magic. Develop tricks, keep them relevant and demonstrate them to new generations.
If you had the opportunity to travel the world described in a fantasy novel, what kind of novel would it be? And travel to which world would you like to avoid?
Hmm, I don’t think I’ve read books in this genre. But I would go to the world where the most beautiful women live.
