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Change: Arturo Brachetti
Second Preview Performance 21st
October Garrick Theatre, London
Reviewed by Alan York
Many magicians will know Arturo Brachetti from the
Best of Magic series in
1993 although he first burst on the London theatre scene ten years previously
with a show called Y which ran for a year. He is now back in London with his
latest show and at the age of 52 is still as lithe and limber as ever.
Although this is a one-man show Brachetti is surrounded by all the technical and
computer wizardry of modern theatrical production with revolving sets, sliding
trucks, video projection and so on. The lighting is elaborate and the soundtrack
a key element in the production. The show starts with a tribute to London and
Brachetti rapidly changes from guardsman through punk, pearly, businessman and
the Queen to Britannia.
The theme of the show is the old Brachetti looking back at his successes all
over the world which he recreates as the young Brachetti. This involves him
going from one persona to the other throughout the evening, in some cases
rapidly alternating from one to the other in seconds! The basis of the set is a
large square cube rather like an enormous wooden packing case with doors and
flaps. This revolves and opens to disclose various inner scenes including the
Brachetti study with photos and trophies.
There are several long sequences on various themes including a romp through
Hollywood favourites including James Bond, King Kong, Bogart & Bacall and, most
astonishingly, Gollum. Brachetti in this character, naked but for a loin-cloth,
raises a cloth and instantly drops it again to show himself fully clothed in the
next character! To enumerate further delights will spoil the surprises but rest
assured there are dozens of quick changes plus chapeaugraphy, shadowgraphy and
bits of conventional magic along the way.
Criticism? I thought the violin routine with a fake arm a bit corny and, not
having seen any of Fellini’s films, that sequence was a bit lost on me, but –
hey, this guy is beyond criticism; he is a genuine unique five star
copper-bottomed genius.
Change is at the Garrick Theatre until the New Year, with performances daily
including Sunday but not on Tuesdays. Running time 1hr 45min including interval.
© Alan York, October 2009