Review: Astonish – Sense of Wonder
Adelaide Fringe
Magician Robbie Kay’s one-hour show features a selection of mind-bending card tricks, old-school levitation and entertaining examples of illusion. ★★★
Kay was clearly at home on the small stage in Gluttony’s The Bally tent, utilising only a small handful of props (as well as the obligatory magician’s assistant) to deliver his tricks. His casual style of presentation means the show lacks a sense of showmanship, yet Kay does deliver some astonishing feats of magic and illusion – many of which will leave you wondering how the heck he did it.
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Astonish relies heavily on audience participation, and on opening night this was where much of the entertainment came from as nervous audience members were involved in a series of clever tricks, including one stomach-churning stunt which Kay introduced with the warning: “Don’t try this at home kids. Go next door and try it there.”
If you’re thinking of attending this show, be warned that Kay and his assistant choose audience members at random, rather than asking for volunteers, so you may find yourself being pulled on stage.
While it lacks the excitement of some magic shows, Astonish: Sense of Wonder still entertains, with Kay’s family-friendly tricks and easygoing style making it suitable for all ages.
Three stars
Astonish: Sense of Wonder is playing at The Bally, Gluttony, until March 5.
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