This coming weekend (April 18th & 19th, 2014 is the final 3 Tucson performances of Carnival of Illusion for this season. I understand there are a only a few seats left. You can purchase tickets at CarnivalofIllusion.com. Hurry! You can thank us for this recommendation later. Note: This show is rated PG13!
“One mind-boggling illusion after another much to the delight of an appreciative, but mystified audience. These guys are good!”
That’s what I wrote two years ago in our review of Roland Sarlot’s and Susan Eyed’s Carnival of Illusion. However, we had heard that their show had new and even more amazing illusions. So Ms. Karen & I returned to their parlor at the Hilton DoubleTree Inn on Alvernon for a second time. We were not disappointed.
This time, the acts were nicely woven into a story based on two related themes. First, Jules Verne’s fanciful novel, Around The World In 80 Days. Second, Roland and Susan’s own worldly travels to places like Istanbul and Mumbai where they gained inspiration for many of their illusions.
Understanding the basis for their storyline makes it easy to guess its title: Around The World In 80 Minutes. And a fun-packed 80 minutes it was. Aboard the “Carnival of Illusion Express” we journeyed through the imagination and experiences of two very clever and talented performers.
For those few of you who have not yet experienced Carnival of Illusion, the venue is intimate; only about 50 seats. So everyone has a very good perspective from which to try to figure out how they pull off their “magic”. (Good luck with that!)
The atmosphere is that of an old world parlor. Some might, prior to experiencing their performance, be inclined to describe what these magicians do as “parlor tricks”. But if so, these are “parlor tricks on steroids”. I mean, where can you go to see someone levitate only a few inches away.
On our journey aboard the Carnival of Illusion Express, we stopped in Malaysia. From a basket of several grapefruits, the nice lady sitting next to me chose one from Kuala Lumpur, one of the many places our performers have visited in their worldly travels. I inspected it. Just a regular whole uncut grapefruit. Minutes later, the audience fairly gasped when they saw what Ms. Susan pulled from inside that magical grapefruit. There’s no point in my trying to explain it. You wouldn’t believe me anyway. Go see for yourself.
One aspect of the show that makes it so much fun is how well the performers engage their audience. On both occasions, we witnessed most of the members of the audience begin the show with an expression of skepticism. But ten minutes into the show, they are all laughing heartily and clapping enthusiastically.
Throughout the show, various audience members are invited to participate in illusions that confound and bewilder them. As rational people, we know that magic is not possible according to the laws of nature. And yet … It’s all very mysterious in ways that surprise and delight.
The atmosphere is congenial. The performers are genuine and refreshing. Roland is a quick wit and artistic improviser. Susan is a consummate actress and magician, but most enchanting as Roland’s femme fatale.
Carnival of Illusion runs on select Fridays and Saturday nights during high season in Tucson, Phoenix and Scottsdale. Susan and Roland also perform their magic at group and corporate events. Their next season begins October 2014.
