IMPOSSIBLE – Live in Singapore Review: A Mixed Bag of Magic, Comedy, and Suspense
PUBLISHED March 14th, 2017 05:00 am
Looking for some entertainment that involves death-defying stunts, grand stage illusions, technological trickery, and good old fashion magic tricks all in one show? I’d say that’s pretty much impossible, but it isn’t…then again, it literally is.
Before we get all meta, let’s make it clear that I’m talking about IMPOSSIBLE, one of the most exciting magic shows London’s illustrious West End has ever seen. Following a successful tour at the Dubai Opera House, the spectacular has made its way down to Singapore, where it’ll be running at Kallang Theatre for another four shows this weekend.
IMPOSSIBLE brings six world-leading illusionists together live to stun audiences with their magical artistry and tricks, claiming to trace the origins of ‘magic’ from its very foundations in ancient history. The lineup is star-studded by all standards, seeing long-established veterans and TV personalities alike. And it was our pleasure to be entertained by (most of) them on opening night last Friday.
The show goes like this: each magician takes a turn to perform numerous sets, from the gripping almost-impalation by the gorgeous escapist and conjurer Sabine van Diemen (who proves that women can also hold their own in the magic scene) to the card-shrinking antics of boundary-breaking illusionist Ben Hart.
It is Richard Essien aka Magical Bones who is the first to leave us bewildered, not so much with his fancy footwork (the man used to dance with the likes of Madonna and Black Eyed Peas) but with his buttery-smooth sleight of hand, and an uncanny ability to stuff money inside a chocolate bar.
The animated TV mind reader Chris Cox, meanwhile, charms our socks off – and possibly that of the audience member he invited up – with his cheeky and confident demeanour, guessing things that are otherwise impossible to know, like the fact that his guest works as a lecturer, or that he is a Sagittarius.
Next, look out for the ‘warrior’ Aaron Crow, who first gained fame following his participation in Britain’s Got Talent, as he slices a pineapple in half from atop a woman’s head in a particularly intense set, before he hands the show back to Ben Hart who teleports a woman halfway across the stage with an ‘exploding’ tesla coil.
IMPOSSIBLE also ups the female factor with the addition of grand illusionist Josephine Lee, but unfortunately, we didn’t get to see her set nor the entire second act of the show due to ‘technical difficulties’, as audience members were asked to come back another day for a rerun.
Despite this and other organisational mishaps – a lack of proper signages and adequate ushers led to overcrowding, constant queue-cutting in the already messy lines, and a show that started 15 minutes late – IMPOSSIBLE remains a fascinating magic spectacular of illustrious pedigree. And while many of the illusions and tricks are nothing most people won’t have seen before, it is the young exponents that give them an engaging breath of fresh air.
Fast-paced and breathtaking, here is a thrilling show that promises to amaze audiences of all ages. And please don’t try those tricks at home.
IMPOSSIBLE Live in Singapore is running from 10 to 19 March 2017 (Fri-Sun only) at Kallang Theatre. Tickets are priced at $38, $58, $98, $138, and $168, available via SISTIC. For more details, check out the official IMPOSSIBLE website here.
