Criterion Theatre
If you are a dreamer you'll be amazed, but if you're a critic you'll find this very frustrating, because this is truly magical.
The title 'Amaze' sets a high standard and you will enter that theatre wondering if the show will meet that level. It does and if you think this review is going to be me critiquing Jamie Allen as a magician, you'll be disappointed. I cannot explain to you how what happened on that stage was done, the magic is genuinely amazing. As Jamie describes in his show there are dreamers and critics, people who want to believe and those who want to know how it is done. This review if from a dreamer's perspective. However, in terms of the show from a theatre go'ers perspective amazed is the only emotion you'll feel and it has it's highs and lows.
Jamie Allen as a performer has a welcoming and considerate stage presence. He looks and connects with everyone in the audience. However, the paranoia about people in the audience doubting what he is doing on stage and the effort that goes into proving it's just genuinely magic. Whilst this shows his confidence and attention to detail, it does make moments feel disconnected and prolonged. At times it felt like every trick had to have a moment to prove that it was not fake, as a dreamer you just want to watch each trick and admire the art. On the other hand, it is clear that he had to cater for the dreamers and the critics.
There are elements of audience participation and it is mostly children that are brought up on stage. Whilst this element can keep the audience engaged, especially the children, it did give the show open feeling. However, a lot of time went into choosing participants and into proving it was not staged. This also prolonged moments and made them feel disconnected and rough at times. On the other hand, it was warming to see how much effort Jamie Allen put in to connecting with the audience and how he kept children entertained and engaged. Catering to all ages.
The stage was set to appear similar to an attic room and each item in the room had significance to his childhood. It says a lot about Jamie Allen as a character that he makes effort to interact with the audience and he also makes the effort to interact with each area/prop on the stage. Clear attention to detail and it made sense why each element was used in the show. You are taken on a journey through his life and how a childhood toy inspired his path in life to become a magician. It is done in a way that is open to the audience and many areas appeal to those born in the 80s. Many songs, snippets of adverts, films etc from the 80's are played on screens in parts of the show. This did set the nostalgic aura of the show, it did feel like a filler between scenes and made you lose connection with the piece.
Stage magic was achieved and the attention to detail cannot be faulted. The level of production quality was a high standard, and lighting/staging/props played a huge role in making this show magical. What happened on The Criterion Stage was amazing and it will blow you away every now and then. There are moments that feel prolonged and disjointed. However, Jamie Allen is a very professional and talented magician, without any doubt. There are some big, mind blowing tricks and it is a good show for the family, especially the mums and dads.
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