talkmagic.co.uk

Hi everyone!

This Friday my company is sending me to America for a conference and I have taken a week's holiday afterwards to stay out in the states and take a trip to Vegas!

I wanted to see Penn and Teller but they're booked up until long after I've returned, so I was wondering who else it was worth seeing in the big V (Does anyone else call it the big V?)

I've already booked tickets for Mac King on recommendation of a couple of folks at the Pentacle club but I now have two evenings to fill with magic and no idea where best to do so.

Any recommendations?

-Stacy

I have been fortunate enough to see David Copperfield, Lance Burton, Luke Jermay and Criss Angel in Vegas. I would (and have) pay to see them all again although most of them are not on at present as they have come to the end of their contracts.

I have heard good things about Gerry McCambridge so may see him this time. If you head across the interstate behind the Luxor you will find Denny & Lee's Magic Store. Not only is it a real authentic dusty magic shop but they also have lectures and can point you in the right direction for good magic.

If you do a search I think Lawrence started a Vegas thread a few months (weeks?) ago which had many suggestions.

I'm going back in December for a fortnight - YaY!

A_n_t wrote:I have been fortunate enough to see Luke Jermay and Criss Angel in Vegas. I would (and have) pay to see them all again although most of them are not on at present as they have come to the end of their contracts.

Which shows did you see?! not the same ones I did! I'd pay to see that little Mexican dude again but not Angel!

Must sees from my list are: Penn & Teller (d'uh) and Mac King ($13 for an afternoon show and a drink, and it's AMAZING; so much so I saw it twice in 3 days).
Which you already seem to have covered. P&T will be sold out on their website but this is because the majority of tickets are touted, hop along to one of the tickets4tonight stands a couple of days in advance and they'll have some P&T tickets on the go.

Also, amazing jonathan.
Angel & Copperfield are overrated (in my opinion)

Note: Penn & Teller is a bit of strip so plan your journey over before hand. We walked it, which is fine, but only if you have the half hour spare it takes to walk there.
Also note, depending on where you're staying on the strip it can be quicker to walk to some places (not like, the stratosphere if you're staying in the Luxor though (note: I've actually made this walk)); taxis / buses on the strip take FOREVER!!!

P&T are in the UK while I am there this time (must remain calm and not grumble).

The original Criss Angel BeLIEve show was brilliant in my opinion, it was a nice mixture of Cirque theatrics and Illusion, however it has gone through several remakes over the past 18 months I understand to make it more of an illusion show and less of a Cirque show. If I am honest the last time I saw Believe it felt quite disjointed but it was the first time the new format had been performed and put it down to that, this was almost two years ago now and I am going again in December. I hope it has not been ruined completely.

I thought Copperfield was over-rated too but a friend of mine went and said he thought he was amazing so assumed I had caught him on an "off night"so would go back, just to check.

I second the walk over public transport, especially on a Saturday night. Might be worth considering car hire for a couple of days, go visit the Hoover Dam and see P&T at the Rio the same night.

We will in fact be hiring a car anyway (hoover dam was already on the cards so to speak, I just looooove massive amounts of water) So that sounds like a plan.

I've booked Mac King and Amazing Jonathan (As soon as the name was mentioned I remembered seeing him years ago on a TV special called Stuff the White Rabbit and knew I had to see him again) and I hope I'll be able to get P&T tickets when I'm there for the remaining night.

I'll also be hunting out Denny & Lee's magic shop one afternoon.

Thanks for all the advice!

-Stacy

Las Vegas is one of my favourite places and I have been fortunate enough to visit three times

I have seen Penn & Teller, brilliant and really dedicated as they stayed behind after their show and had photos taken with everyone and signed stuff, was a lovely touch!

Lance Burton - fantastic showman, a bit old fashioned I guess you might say but the way he produces the doves at the beginning was sublime, and its not that expensive to see him, assuming he is still at the Mirage

Gerry McCambridge - this guy was brilliant and it was a lovely intimate show at the (now knocked down) Stardust, he again stayed behind afterwards and spoke to everyone

Rick Thomas - this guy was good but not great, in a way I think we and my wife saw him as a poor mans Lance Burton

For a decent priced steak go to Outback, and make sure you have a drink at Top of the World (Stratasphore) and Mix (Mandalay Bay) for great views from either end of the strip

Anything else you wanna know ask away

How do?

I'm a Vegas regular 2/3 times a year as the casinos keep giving us free rooms as they know we will drop a load of money in their casino lol.

Mac king is the best bargain on the strip. So funny! And beware those drinks are strong lol. Mac actually helped me propose in his show, he met me the day before the show and got the ring etc. Then pulled my fiancé up on stage to help with a trick where the ring ended up in her card box then I scarpered on stage to propose. He was soooo good for helping us out.

The lance burton show was at the monte Carlo not the mirage but has since finished his run there. Sad as that was an incredible show.

Steve wyrick has just returned to Vegas at the las Vegas Hilton. He has a great show which mixed up close up and stage illusions like making a full leer jet appear. Also he is good eye candy apparently lol.

I go in 4 days time staying at the mirage. Where are you staying?