Inspired by the iconic Four Horsemen from the 2013 film Now You See Me – Now You See Me Live is a high energy showcase of modern illusion, where magic, escapology, comedy and audience participation connect in impressive fashion.
The international cast of four brought their distinct personalities and skills to the stage. Spanish illusionist Pablo Cánovas delivered fast visual magic with sharp precision, while Canadian magician Gabriella Lester captivated the audience with her quick wit and playful rapport.
Englishman Matthew Pomeray provided the comedic elements of the evening and his role as compere and storyteller added to the theatrical, and at times emotive, moments of the show.
The comedic highlight of the evening belonged to a ten year old audience member who, when asked by Pomerov, “Who delivers all the presents on Christmas Eve?” replied, Amazon.
Italian escapologist Andrew Basso brought the house to a standstill with his performance of Houdini’s infamous Water Torture Cell Escape. You could hear a pin drop as he was handcuffed, suspended upside down and lowered into the tank.
The theatre fell silent and barely breathed for just over two minutes, as he contorted his body, picked the locks and escaped from what appeared to be certain death.
The performance was propelled by pace, humour and an infectious sense of play. Its mantra, the closer you look, the less you see, was cleverly woven throughout an evening of illusion and fun.
The end of act one enabled the audience to perform their very own magic trick. So, make sure you collect the four playing cards from the boxes that were located in the foyer. It will be your chance to be amazed as you rip, shuffle and throw cards into the air.
At one point, during the teleportation sequence, the momentum faulted. A loss of pace made it difficult to sufficiently misdirect the audience, which allowed a glimpse into the secrets behind the illusion. As a result, the intended wow factor was diminished, and unfortunately the moment fell flat.
Despite this, Now You See Me Live was an enjoyable evening that invited the audience to abandon logic and see the world again through the eyes of a child. The poignant and heartfelt finale brought the audience to its feet.
The performance will have you leaving the theatre asking, “How did they do that?”
Now You See Me Live
Crown Theatre, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood (Perth)
Performance: Sunday 25 January 2026
Season continues to 1 February 2026
Information and Bookings: www.crownperth.com.au
Images: Now You See Me Live – photos by Cameron Grant, Parenthesy
Review: Craig Dalglish