During his set at Headliners last Sunday, American comedian Pete Holmes quipped that the audiences at comedy shows want to see the comedian succeed, but the audiences at magic shows want to figure out the tricks and therefore desire the magician to fail. But what about magic comedy shows?
A Modern Deception: Live To Air stars a handful of talented magicians crafting an elaborate production as part of MICF. The concept is based around a Sunrise-like morning show, and the magicians are thrust on stage to fill in as hosts.
The sleight-of-hand tricks themselves were impressive. I’d seen mentalists such as Robert Haley from New Zealand perform similar tricks before, although A Modern Deception is by far a more elaborate, slick presentation. But therein also lies its flaw. This is a comedy show, not just a magic show, and the comedy is oftentimes a bit forced. The show would’ve been much better served – comically – to play the ‘hosts’ as incompetent presenters rather than adopt the fake presentation of regular morning show hosts. The chemistry and comedic mannerisms of the performers – Alex de la Rambelje, Vyom Sharma and Luke Hocking – are eerily similar to the guys from The Chaser. This style, however, worked well in front of the family friendly audience.
I was left dazed and confused by most the tricks – these are some very talented, young sleight-of-hand magicians – and after having seen 76 shows so far at the comedy festival, I appreciate any show that tries to blend genres or be different from regular stand-up. The stage production was also impressive, and once the comedy aspect of the show becomes a little more refined, this has the potential to reach that next level.
BY NICK TARAS
