The Houdini Experience - Hans Klok
A waffling review!
I'd never heard of Hans Klok! But when a magician is filling out a large theatre in the middle of london for about three weeks, I figure he must be pretty good and worth a look! Plus it was about fifteen minutes walk from my house, and I got the tickets on a two for one offer! How could I not go?
I'd never seen a big stage illusion show before, so was rather looking forward to it! The Mrs, it has to be stated, wasn't! (Why is it, she wonders, that every time we go out, it happens to be to a magic show?)
One of the first illusions, Hans gets a beautiful lass to climb in a steel tube, seals it shut, then slams a series of blades down into it and separates all the bit of the tube! It looks amazing! I hear a squeal from the Mrs! She's loving the show already!
Now I know from searching Hans Klok in here that not everyone likes stage illusions... but Hans does this sort of thing with such energy and passion! It was a joy to watch! If you're going to perform magic on a big stage, then this really is a masterclass on how it should be done! There was close up too... a multiplying bottles routine that was perfomed with a big nod towards Tommy Cooper, and there was card work (granted, card manipulation - but it had the Mrs whispering in my ear "How is that possible?")
But it was about the BIG illusions! They came at such a speed it could only be marvelled at! The technical side of this show must be as complex as anything, both to coordinate and to choreograph. The production values were as good as, no, actually better, than quite a few West End big name shows I've been to. Visually, the show was just stunning!
Interspersed through out the show were guest acts, a Russian lass with a hula hoop routine and a smile, wink and wiggle that Betty Page would be proud of, an incredible Chinese chap Zhang Fan with a tight rope routine, the roller skating Italian MG Team, and Dou You and Me. (Dou You and Me, and Zhang Fang recieved much deserved standing ovations for their sets!)
Hans also has some very attractive assistants - and quite honestly, if I could do real magic, I wouldn't be making playing cards appear, I'd be making glamorous and scantily clad assistants appear! (So on that note, if you're reading this, Ms Wormall, feel free to PM me and say hello..!)
In other reviews a lot has been made of the cheesy edge to this show! Hans uses this to his advantage completely, laughing at it and himself! He seems to have a very warm and genuine quality that comes through and a real love for magic. He seemed so proud to be performing Blackstocks floating light bulb too! All of this is contagious! The audience left on a high, smiling and laughing. On leaving the theater, I didn't hear people discussing how he did things... just what a great time they'd had!
I'd happily go again. Actually, considering the high cost of the tickets, this felt like I'd got excellent value for money for this show! The Mrs had a great time too (and now wants me to get my hair done like Hans!)
Not sure if I've made it clear in this review.... I really liked this show!
See, told you it was waffly!
But if you want to see a bit of what I've been writing about, klik on klok here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z36lpyd_3gs" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank (Makes me think he's not as cheesy as he likes to think... he performs to Rob Zombies Dragular!)
