Criss Angel's new Road Show "The Illusionists" ... er, NOT!

[Richard Kaufman]

The successful road show "The Illusionists" with Dan Sperry, Kevin James, and many others, has been doing great business as it tours around the world.

Criss Angel appears to have decided the concept appeals to him by setting up something that looks surprisingly similar with different people, stupidly titled "WymZkal." Seriously, is anyone supposed to be able to read that?

I would assume this would put a dent in any plans by "The Illusionists" show to tour the US. Hmmmm ...

[AJM]

If he's planning on coming over here then he'll need to change the name as the letter z is pronounced differently in this neck of the woods.

I unfortunately missed the Illusionists show as I was out of town when they visited Edinburgh.

Andrew

[Ian Kendall]

'From the mind of Criss Angel'

I hope that doesn't go to court Even the lineup image is the same...

[CraigMitchell]

The bigger issue here is the misleading marketing.

You are going to have a number of audience members buying tickets thinking that Criss is in the line-up ...

[Tom Moore]

....and the people that do see him performing will demand a refund


(sorry, someone had to do the line)

Illusionists won't see this as a threat - they're riding a wave of phenomenal good publicity and spectacular audience numbers (for example here in the UK they're selling out 2600 seat theatres, we've not had that level of magic audiences for 40 years) which is the info the venue bookers realy care about. They're also booked / managed by some very large tour bookers and created by a producer with an established history and reputation and multiple shows out on the market. In any situation where a venue has to choose between the two shows i'm quite sure they'll go with illusionists.

[Richard Kaufman]

Tom, I think you're right, except you're not taking the USA into account, which is potentially a much bigger market.

[Roger M.]

.......the letter z is pronounced differently in this neck of the woods.

Canada as well, where potential patrons (and even actual patrons) would be asking in droves "what's wymzedkal mean"?

[Dustin Stinett]

I've haven't noticed anyone mentioning Criss Angel's new TV on the Forum.

Anyone?

Anyone?

Anyone (care)?

[Richard Kaufman]

... crickets.

[Tom Moore]

I know the US is a bigger market and frankly there's room for this show and a dozen other clone shows to tour in the US alone. However "The Illusionists" is riding such a powerful hype wave, backed up by such big sales and a team of such big production hitters that frankly nothing else out there is going to dent their sales / market. In any situation where both these shows are offered to the same venue the Illusionists will get the gig no question; it's really no contest.

[Frank Yuen]

Anyone recognize any of the magicians?

[Ian Kendall]

Nathan Burton and Banachek were the only two I recognised.

[Tom Moore]

There's what look like snippets of the Kevin & Caruso show that's normally fronted by Jason Byrne in that montage

[Dustin Stinett]

Besides the two mentioned by Ian, the young lady is Krystyn Lambert.

[Richard Kaufman]

I like Krysten, and as talented as she may be, Criss Angel's PR claim that she's the number female magician in the world is an insult to all the other top female magicians.

[Brad Henderson]

the original working title for this was: E-litter8.

[Andres Reynoso]

Besides Nathan Burton is his show team: Armando Vera and a comedian I can't remember his name. They three do the Nathan's show at Planet Hollywood.

I was told that in the lineup there are two persons that are dog traineers

[Richard Kaufman]

I saw Nathan Burton do a really classy illusion at the SAM convention in Vegas the year before last, which involved a black volunteer from the audience sitting on a toilet seat and getting sucked into the bowl.
Yuck Yuck.
Yuck.

[CraigMitchell]

Seems the Brits were a bit disappointed with The Illusionists

http://www.whatsonstage.com/manchester- ... 32164.html

"Even the grand finale, which should leave the audience breathless, is a damp squib. An undramatic, well worn, magic trick which leaves you feeling a little disappointed.

Don't get me wrong, this is an entertaining night out and the show is enjoyable, but there is that nagging feeling that you have seen it all before. I wanted to come out in awe of what I've seen, unable to explain the tricks and marvelling at the skill of the performers.

Instead, I came out knowing how most of the tricks were performed and feeling like it could have been so much more than smoke and mirrors. "

Interesting commentary on the state of magic from a lay person's perspective. Modern audience expectations are particularly high and originality is now more critical than ever ... audiences are wanting fresh & new.

[Tom Moore]

The great selling point of "the illusionists" mk1 is also it's weakness - they've taken magician's who are famous on youtube, promoted the tour with them doing their bit everyone's seen on youtube, then presented a show of them all doing their "bits from youtube" live on stage. In an industry based on surprise it's a risky strategy and it's worth noting that the next touring cast are all /not/ as youtube exposed as the first cast are.

KJ's snow is a problem as it closes the show - it was a great effect when he created it, one of the all-time classics but it's been so over-exposed and generally so badly performed that it's become a cliche so unfortunately the evening ends on a damp squib rather than a bang.