Illusion.

Yeah, it's only an illusion.

This is a very late back-dated post where in the end it was not publicize anywhere and I may use my review, yeaps! And this is a very, very late post. I'm not born to be a blogger, I'm born to publish my Diary of a Wimpy Blogger on notepads photocopied. Heh heh heh.

Invited for the opening night of 'The Illusionists' Show at the Marina Bay Sands made me anxious while eyes, transfixed, to the stage and the player do acts which I've never experience live before - it was my first.

“We are not to believe our eyes because tonight, your eyes will not lie of what it sees. It’s up to you to believe what is reality and what is an illusion.” –The Grand Illusionist, Brett Daniels

From The Magic Circle and Hollywood’s Magic Castle to the multi-million dollar Harry Potter franchise, the world of illusion and intrigue has always fascinated people. This production will present a rare opportunity for audiences of all ages to see the grand masters of illusion at work in

one spell-binding production.

Promised for a bewitching night one Friday, that particular Friday, 17 February 2012 was the opening night of The Illusionists, a new stage performing from that Friday until the 4^th of March 2012. Staged at again, The Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands that was transformed into a magician's playground for a family-friendly show which featured six of hte world's most respected performers in the field. 

Looking back to our childhood, we have possibly been transfixed on magic shows on TV since we were young. Our faces would end in a huge ‘O’ and our minds travel to do the logic of “how can THAT possibly happen?”

As apt as their tagline, “Witness the Impossible”, the show which was about 3 hours kept me on the edge of the seat – particularly as I was seated at the middle section, 5 rows away from the stage. This is as close as I get to see live magic, for the first time in my life, and the thrill being on that audience chair is a far cry than your sofa in your living room. The stupefying acts from these Illusionists in which they were handpicked to present these along with 20 plus assistants and dancers, the night builded up in a slow climax.

The night first started off with classic magic tricks by ‘The Gentleman’ Phillip, which uses real simple tricks of hiding pigeons, vanishing cages, and a beautiful flower given at the end. The norm must be presented to see the basic of the simple beauty of illusion, because still, you could watch this for a million times and wonder how all can hide things ever so smoothly.

The Grand Illusionist, Brett Daniels, plays both as a intermission host and the man who leads it all. A fair share of rudimentary tricks were performed, but sadly, on this Opening Night, his grand trick of going through a fan was dismissed as there was a technical problem of “his biggest fan”.

Ones that’ll keep you light hearted to sit back and relax is when the stage is set for the talkative The Mentalist, Philip Escoffey. Making answers before a person does will keep you spin your brain in bewilderment. His entertaining acts were possibly made by his chosen guests from the audience, and if you get chosen, expect a puzzled look on your face thereafter as he reveals your answer together with you without you showing.

The climax heightens as the air is tight when The Escapologist (Andrew Baso), an Italian magician was to perform Houdini’s last act, “Water Torture Cell”, right in front of your stage, equipped with Singapore Police Certified handcuffs. You must’ve seen it before with other magicians doing it, such as Dan Sperry aka. The Anti-Conjuror’s Russian Roulette, but anxiety awakens when they both started to play their dangerous acts. Even though it was a mere performance, my heart was light as on the top of a roller coaster.

The Trixkster (Michael Halvarson), The Manipulator (James Dimmare), The Anti-Conjuror(Dan Sperry) and The Grand Illusionist (Brett Daniels) will leave you mind boggled and spellbounded. I found myself constantly asking “how did he do that?” and probably a little too much time wondering what went behind creating those elaborate illusions.

You won’t have to fly all the way to Sydney spending long hours on board – the show was originally developed for the Sydney Opera House in Australia, to see with your own for these 6 magicians to change your notion of what a magic showis because our three-flat tier Marina Bay Sands will always bring you the best of world's shows down to Singapore!


Watch out for SOAP, Annie's (!!!), and A Chorus Line as this year's line-up!


The night was out and about with Mona from Hey Diaspora!

Top by Manythings BKK, Skirt by MU, bracelets varies from Turkey.

Lion Clutch bag by Mango.

AND YEAH, THE THING BEING ABLE TO BLOG AGAIN IS BECAUSE I'M OFFICIALLY OUT OF SCHOOL WITHOUT CLASSES!

I still have school to prep the exhibition up but other than that, I AM OUT.

See you guys more often^^!