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Siegfried & Roy - A Tribute at the London Palladium
Sunday 28th September 2008
Three reviews: By David Hawkins, Mike Danata and Ray Roberts
Photos: Click Here.
Siegfried & Roy - A Tribute at the London Palladium
Reviewed by David Hawkins
This
was one of the most anticipated magical events ever staged, and even before the
show started there was huge excitement in the audience as, unannounced,
Siegfried and Roy took their seats in the Royal Box. It was also interesting to
see a lot of television cameras around the theatre – apparently the show was
being recorded for later showing on TV. Apologies to anyone that eventually sees
this – I had a camera very close to me for most of the evening so may well be
appearing in some of the ‘reaction shots’.
As well as a tribute to Siegfried and Roy, the evening marked the launch of
MagiCares,
The Magic Charity set up to make a real difference to the lives of people
suffering hardship around the world. A wonderful touch was that the superb
colour brochure was given, free, to every member of the audience but included a
donation envelope for anyone who wished to support the charity.
The show started with an overture by The MagiCares Big Band under the leadership
of Ian MacGregor. As soon as M.C. Jeff Hobson walked on stage you knew it was
going to be a special night. With such a packed programme Jeff kept
introductions to a minimum, but, during the evening, performed his wonderful
Card in Mouth, and Egg Bag. In both cases he had chosen perfect spectators to
help (one of whom had come from Australia just to see the show). Throughout the
evening there were video extracts from the S&R show. Shown on a huge video
screen this gave an excellent impression of what it must have been like to see
the S&R show live. Also shown on video were messages of congratulations from Sir
Anthony Hopkins, Cher and Steve Wynn.
First act of the evening were Kalin and Jinger, repeating their success at the
IBM Gala show the previous night, with two incredible illusions – the Squisher
illusion where Jinger is impaled with flaming spikes and disappears, then
instantly reappears in the middle of the audience, followed by an almost ‘test
conditions’ sawing through illusion. Totally baffling and deservedly getting a
huge reaction from the audience. It was also fun to see that Mark Kalin had
chosen Russ Stevens (the UK’s top illusionist) as one of the on-stage
assistants.
The second spot of the night went to The Great Tomsoni and Company. Hilarious
comedy as always, and some of the best dove productions (and vanishes) you’re
ever likely to see. The audience loved Johnny and Pam (aka ‘Company’). Tomsoni
was followed by Luis De Matos. Luis is a huge TV star in Portugal and famous for
large scale, extravagant events. However he had chosen to perform just one
effect – mixing coloured sands into a huge bowl of water, then producing dry
sand from the same bowl (together with a colour change of the water). Although a
simple effect it was performed dramatically and beautifully and, once again, got
a great reaction. With no time to catch breath the show continued with the fast
paced comedy act of Vik and Fabrini – a unique act with a number of new touches
since I last saw them. Finally, the first half was closed with the incredible,
amazing and totally hilarious juggling of Wally Eastwood. Hard to describe but
this guy is one of a kind – tremendous juggling, high energy and the most
hilarious comedy (he must be one the best speciality acts in the world). Wally
finished with his famous effect of ‘playing’ an electronic keyboard with
juggling balls. A fabulous end to the first half.
During the interval it was fun spotting lots of magicians and celebrities in the
audience – Dame Shirley Bassey was there, together with some of the Arsenal
football team, David Berglas, Ali Bongo, Alan Shaxon, lots of the US performers
from the IBM Convention at Eastbourne, and many other magicians.
The second half of the show started with another musical number by the MagiCares
Big Band, followed by the wonderful musical magic of Norm Neilson. Norm gave a
perfect performance, as always, and got a great reaction when his floating
violin vanished, then reappeared from the side of the stage to take a bow!
Norm was followed by a unique performance by Ben Stone (Paul’s son). Ben is a
talented singer and song-writer and gave a wonderful performance of The
MagiCares theme song “When Magic Cares, Miracles Happen” (which he had written
himself). Paul must have been a VERY proud Dad. Paul Stone then came onto stage
to thank and recognise a number of people that had been involved in the show and
MagiCares charity – Diana Zimmerman, Lynette Chappell, Peter Reveen. Lynette
(the original ‘Evil Queen’ in the S&R show) also appeared during the evening
(preceded by one of the special effects from the show) to formally thank
Siegfried and Roy for attending.
The show continued with the Post Modern Magic of Jason Byrne, repeating the act
seen at Eastbourne the previous night. A great performance, especially
considering he had been working with the doves for less than 48 hours.
Penultimate act of the show was another sensational hit seen at Eastbourne –
Raymond Crowe. Describing himself as a mime, Raymond is SO much more. Hilarious
comedy, and featuring an incredible zombie routine using a borrowed jacket. He
finished with his amazing hand shadows, as seen on the Royal Variety Show.
Raymond deservedly got a massive reaction from the audience. The final act was
the high energy, sensational quick change artists Soul Mystique. Incredible
costume changes from both performers, a high energy level and a fitting ending
to an utterly incredible, amazing show. However there was still one surprise
left as Siegfried and Roy then walked onto the stage to thank everyone. This was
an emotional moment for all concerned and they got a huge standing ovation.
Overall this was, without question, the most amazing and magical show I have
ever witnessed and a real ‘once in a life time experience’. Paul Stone deserves
a huge “thank you” for producing such an incredible event and I’m sure the
MagiCares charity will go from strength to strength. I wouldn’t have missed it
for the world, and it really proved that when Magic Cares, Miracles Happen.
© David Hawkins, September 2008
Siegfried & Roy - A Tribute at the London Palladium
Reviewed by Mike Danata
The
show at the London Palladium, in honour of Siegfried & Roy was very professional
in its slickness of production (fast moving, and no dead spots) with an
excellent compere in Jeff Hobson (who also performed his own spot, with Egg bag,
Card In Mouth, and Watch Stealing) along with some of the very best performers
in the world.
A very slick overture by the MagiCares Big Band, leading in to the introduction
of Kalin & Jinger, with their big illusions. which included a flaming spikes
through girl, with the vanish of the girl and reappearance in the audience. Russ
Stevens made a cameo appearance (having been pulled from the audience) checking
the Sawing In Half Box!
The Great Tomsoni & Co with his gum chewing assistant were as funny as ever!
Luis De Matos, with his Sands Of The Desert routine, which I think I once saw
Doug Henning perform, where the water turns black and then back to clear again
at the end. This was very beautifully performed.
Vik & Fabrini did their "Robotic" type act that many of us had seen at
Blackpool, as effective as ever!
Wally Eastwood "Probably" stole the show, billed as the "Fastest hands on earth"
his juggling was definitely the fastest I had ever seen, truly incredible, and
his playing of a classical piece of music by dropping juggling balls onto an
electronic keyboard was truly astounding, as was his quick wit, and fantastic
personality, you couldn't help but love him! He received a fantastic ovation
from the enthusiastic audience.
At the beginning of the above paragraph, I stated that Wally "Probably" stole
the show, but to be honest every other act "Probably" stole the show as well!
(if that can make any sense!!) EVERY act was a showstopper, it really was an
excellent line-up.
A twenty minute interval followed, and then it was back to the MagiCares Big
Band, followed by the sheer artistry that is Norm Nielson, a truly wonderful act
that has taken him all around the world. Vanishing Flute, Misers Dream with the
"Tinkling" coin ladder, and the incomparable Floating and "Playing" Violin. A
wonderful wonderful act, that is as fresh today as it was when it was first
introduced to the world, many many years ago.
Jason Byrne, did his incredible Bird/Manipulative act, with some of the slickest
productions you'll ever see, culminating in the production of a duck! which
certainly drew the gasps.
Ben Stone (the son of Paul) wrote a special song for MagiCares called "When
Magic Cares, Miracles happen" he sang this with the big band backing him, it was
both catchy and moving, a perfect song for such a perfect event.
Raymond Crow followed with a very novel routine with a spectator's borrowed
jacket where it flew, danced and floated around the stage! Absolutely wonderful.
He finished his set with the hand shadows act that has received millions of hits
on YouTube, and clinched him an appearance on the Royal Variety Show. There is
something truly "Magical" about this act that evokes such an emotional reaction
from an audience, there were many Ooh's and Ahh's from the audience during the
performance, again a fantastic act.
Soul Mystique were the last act on stage, with their incredible quick
change/dance act, very visual and spectacular drawing the gasps from the
audience during their set.
Interspersed throughout the show were filmed tributes to Siegfried & Roy by such
people as Cher, Sir Anthony Hopkins & Steve Wynn, plus many live tributes as
well from the stage, including amongst others, Lynette Chappell who was their
leading Lady (The Evil Queen) in the show for many years.
The most moving tribute was delivered by Steve Wynn, who had built the Mirage
Hotel for Siegfried & Roy's show in Vegas, stating very clearly the love from
Siegfried & Roy's friends & indeed their love and support for each other. It was
all very emotional....
The evening concluded with the awaited appearance from both Siegfried & Roy who
both received prolonged standing ovations from the audience.
Siegfried did most of the talking (to begin with!) then Roy gestured for the
microphone to say his bit, although a little slurred in his speech, he was
perfectly understandable. Siegfried took the mic back from Roy, and Roy almost
snatched it back to the delight of the audience, he was unstoppable!!! (perhaps
he had lessons from Ken Dodd!) it was all very moving and emotional, I have to
admit that I couldn't hold back the tears. I saw the same courage,
determination, strength and humour in my dear Mum during her battle with cancer.
Siegfried & Roy took several curtain calls at the end, and Roy kept walking back
to centre stage, it became very amusing as he walked on and off continuously,
almost as if to just prove to us that he could indeed walk!!!! (After the
accident with the tiger in October 2003 he was told that he would never walk
again!)
Roy is a very strong person on all levels, but it is his INNER STRENGTH that is
so amazing, and tonight we witnessed that Magical Inner Strength.
This was a truly memorable occasion, that will forever live in the minds of
everyone who attended. Proving yet again that the magic still lives, and that
Siegfried & Roy are indeed Masters Of The Impossible!
With heartfelt thanks to Paul Stone and the team, for making this show happen -
you certainly gave us a night to remember forever!
SARMOTI
© Mike Danata, September 2008
Siegfried & Roy - A Tribute at the London Palladium
Reviewed by Ray Roberts
I
can not find any words that can describe the experience of A Tribute to
Siegfried and Roy adequately but I will do my best.
It was a truly a magical moment in time when just being there was what mattered
and it was an action packed emotional rollercoaster night of pure celebration
and entertainment.
It all started just before the curtain went up, Siegfried & Roy entered the
royal box not with a grand introduction or a fanfare of trumpets but just
quietly taking their seats. But if they or any one else for that matter
considered for one moment that the legendary kings of magic could walk into a
theatre unnoticed and appreciated were very much mistaken. The whole audience
rose to their feet applauded, cheered and whistled until it was time to start
the show and the atmosphere was simply electric.
The twelve piece orchestra under the direction of Ian MacGregor a renowned
musical director and musician in his own right played When Magic Cares which set
the scene for an off stage introduction by Jeff Hobson for Kalin & Jinger.
Kalin & Jinger were truly awesome and to just list the illusions they performed
goes only half way to describing their act as the presentation and chemistry of
the pair all come together to make the flaming penetration and cutting a woman
in half not only baffling but so memorable, I wondered if any one could follow
them.
But follow them they did as each act kept the momentum going building on what
had gone before, Tomsoni & Co was next presenting their comedy act which has
been polished to perfection with countless performances and was appreciated by
the whole audience of mainly lay people of all ages.
Luis de Matos from Portugal performed think ink. He proceeded to pour coloured
sand into the murky mess stirring in each colour of green yellow and blue. Later
he reached into the black lagoon and produce handfuls of dry green yellow and
blue sand all sprinkled about the stage. To close the act he changed the ink
back into clear water. A short but a very impressive act.
Direct from the Crazy Horse in Paris came Vic & Fabrini a fast moving extremely
precisely timed duo where Vic performs many magical effects with Fabrini a
robot. I have seen this act on lots of occasions but never better than on this
show they excelled.
Wally Eastwood is without doubt a juggler par excellence but particular mention
must be made of his playing of the electronic piano on the floor not using his
hands or feet but playing it with five juggling balls to receive a well
acclaimed ovation what an act!
Jeff Hobson compered the show introducing each act to perfection and in addition
performed two magical effects card in mouth and the egg bag using volunteers
from the audience. Both effects were master classes in how to handle a volunteer
and entertain. He is simply the best. In addition to Jeff Hobson popping up
during the show there were also video clips of celebrities paying tribute to the
two great men and video clips of some of their performances which brought
spontaneous applause after each clip.
The second half started with Norm Nielsen billed in the program as the unique
artistry of Norm Nielsen .They must have been referring to his very own floating
violin which is pure artistry.
The next act was Ben Stone son of Paul Stone but on this occasion he weaved a
different kind of magic with his voice, as he sang his rendition of the shows
anthem When Magic Cares, Miracles Happen which he had also written and he sang
it exceptionally well.
Jason Byrne’s magical presentation burnt brightly his Yoyo to dove being totally
unexpected brought thunderous applause.
Raymond Crow is probably the only mime act who talks so to call him a mime would
be some what misleading, but there is nothing misleading about his ability to
entertain and none more so than his closing shadow graph performance to Louis
Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World and in his hands it certainly is!
Soul Mystique’s quick change act was the last act of the show. They brought to
the stage energy, skill and surprise providing a phenomenal colourful end to a
perfect show.
However this wasn’t the end because the crème la de crème was the finale when
all the artists came on for their final bows to be joined be the icons of magic
the one and only Siegfried & Roy who received a resounding standing ovation.
They thanked all connected with the show and received no less that five curtain
calls from an audience who simply did not want the night to end. If I had to sum
up this show in one word I would just say Wow.
Executive producer of the show Paul Stone must have been proud of his
achievements at putting together such a moment in time and he is to be
congratulated for the work he put into making all this happen and making it a
night to remember.
© Ray Roberts, September 2008