The dazzling stage spectacle Now You See Me Live is set to transform Perth's Crown Theatre into a cinematic magic arena later this month, promising audiences a Hollywood-level experience without the silver screen.
A Cinematic Rush of Magic Awaits Perth Audiences
Inspired by the hit film series, the live production promises a relentless, high-energy performance that will have patrons on the edge of their seats from the very first moment. British magician Matthew Pomeroy, one of the famed Four Horsemen in the show, warns that being late is not an option.
"You really feel like you're watching a movie in the opening of the show," Pomeroy explained. The initial three minutes alone are said to feature a breathtaking escape act, pyrotechnics, a seemingly impossible large-scale illusion, and stunning card magic. The pace is designed to captivate instantly, making every second count.
An International Dream Team of Illusionists
The show boasts a formidable international quartet of magical talent. Joining Pomeroy, a mind-reading and sleight-of-hand specialist, are Italian illusionist Andrew Basso, Canadian escape artist Gabriella Lester, and Spanish prodigy Pablo Canovas.
Creative Producer Simon Painter believes Perth audiences will be left in disbelief, even with the action unfolding mere metres away. "Now You See Me Live will make the impossible possible in front of your very eyes," Painter said. "Perth's incredible Four Horsemen will push the boundaries of stage magic to the absolute edge."
Behind the Curtain with a Vegas Magician
Based in Las Vegas, Matthew Pomeroy usually performs with stage partner Natasha Lamb as part of The Conjurors. He credits the intense competitive environment of the Vegas strip, home to legends like Penn & Teller and David Copperfield, for honing world-class acts.
With a gruelling schedule of around 400 shows per year, mishaps are inevitable. Pomeroy shared that professionalism means either shielding the audience from errors or incorporating them seamlessly. He revealed past incidents, including his stage partner once emerging from an illusion with her hair on fire and tearing his own tear duct during a live performance.
His captivating skills have impressed celebrities from Hugh Jackman to Sacha Baron Cohen and the cast of Harry Potter. Yet, Pomeroy finds his greatest joy in two contrasting groups: young children witnessing magic for the first time and lifelong magic enthusiasts in their nineties. The wonder in their eyes, he says, provides an unparalleled thrill.
Now You See Me Live will be unveiled in Perth for the first time, with performances running from January 23 through to February 1 at the Crown Perth Theatre. This is a rare chance for Western Australian audiences to witness a global touring production that turns the impossible into a live, shared reality.
