T H E A T E R
Then again, he knows the secrets. However, so
does anyone with a computer. A quick Google
search pulls up more than 53 million responses
to the query, “How do you do that magic trick?”
Yet, this doesn’t deter the team. Painter believes
that magic is in a renaissance, mainly due to the
Internet and people’s desire to learn tricks or discover
how they are performed. “I actually think
that it is good for magic. It means magicians
have to develop new concepts and invent new
illusions. I think anything that brings magic into
the world is good for magic.” The concept of
The Illusionists was to create entertainment that
could engage multiple generations. Painter adds,
“It’s hard to put together a show that can be
viewed simultaneously by a five-year old, a
95-year old grandfather, gothic teens, married
couples and everyone in between. Yet, I think
we’ve nailed it.”
Rounding out the company is Dan Sperry, aka
The Anti-Conjurer, a persona best described as
Marilyn Manson meets David Copperfield.
Sperry is one of the top 10 most Googled people,
thanks to a legendary America’s Got Talent
appearance. Korea’s Yu Ho-Jin, aka The Manipulator,
is considered a rising superstar in the
world of magic. The Warrior, Belgium’s Aaron
Crow, uses swords, paintball guns and crossbows
to keep fans on the edge of their seat. And,
last but not least, The Futurist, Adam Trent,
shatters stereotypes and brings a new generation
of magic to fans through technology, illusions,
dancing and comedy. “When we were putting
the show together, we looked around and realized
how – excuse the pun – magical it all was,” says
Hobson. “We were all in awe of each other, and
we still are. I think that it’s a key to our success.”
Painter points to the defining moment when he
knew that the show had tapped into the zeitgeist.
“Opening night in Sydney – it was completely
sold out, and the crowd went crazy.”
However, bringing fresh and exciting magic to
a public who demands to know every detail isn’t
easy. Unlike a standup comedian, who can write
new jokes and incorporate them into his act
immediately, a magician’s performance usually
has a long gestation process. “It is all trial and
error for a full two years,” says Hobson. “It starts
with many hours in front of a mirror perfecting
the illusion before it hits the stage with full
lights, music and dialogue.” For Painter, who is
always scouting out new illusions and razzledazzle,
he admits that he’s just like everyone else
in the audience, as he wants to say, “Wow! How
in the hell did they do that?”
9
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Illusionists will be at the
David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in
Tampa from May 26th through May 31st. For tickets,
call (813) 229-STAR (7827).
MARCH/APRIL 2015 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 91
JOAN MARCUS
JOAN MARCUS
Dan Sperry