Public Spark

This is a continuation of Tuesday’s blog on my experience at the Magic Castle.

WARNING:

There are spoilers, so if you want to remain curious, you have been warned!

After a full dinner, we made our way down towards another corridor. I was captivated by the detail and decor of this whole castle. Along each corridor were photos and caricatures of magicians. In addition, there were areas with puppets and Academy of Magical Arts archives.

We waited for the 10 PM show in the Palace of Mystery. We were seated in a large theater where there was a small stage. We were told that this was the biggest showroom in this castle. On the schedule that day were Eric Buss, Mystina and David Zirbel. The show began with Eric Buss, making a humorous entrance with man-made contraption. He is a magician that was featured on the CBS David Letterman show. He was captivating and unique with his ability to pick up a card with a po go stick and his finale snake illusion was quite funny. Mystina is one of the rare female magicians. She had a dance routine immersed with her magic, which included holding an audience member hostage. The last performer, DavidZirbel is noted as being the world’s tallest magician at 7 feet. He brought back the classics of magic tricks: the linking rings and disappearing balls. Each had their own unique style and it was entertaining.

After this show, we went next door to the Parlour of Prestidigitation to see the 11:30 PM show with Dick Barry. He opens up the show with live fish appearing out of no where. He also performed magic with a story. He pulled out a handkerchief and tied it into a knot and untied it easily.

Lastly we made our way back down to the lobby floor and back to the close-up gallery. This time we waited to see the 12:15 AM show with Brian Gillis. He was by far one of the most captivating magicians I have every seen. It is no wonder that he was named as one of Johnny Carson’s favorite magicians. His slight of hand magic was amazing. He also played a lot of mind tricks. For example, he guessed an audience member’s zodiac sign and guessed another audience member’s name of a person she first kissed. He managed to have someone’s dollar bill, which was marked, burned and then somehow reappear in a sealed sugar packet. To top it all he was hilarious. Words cannot describe the entertainment. I recommend that people seem him in person!