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longhaired1 Veteran user Salida 316 Posts |
Question: Why is Lance Burton so great?
Answer: Because he is so great! Admittedly one of the worst opening lines of a review, so let me explain. I searched in vain for an article that was written by magician Jonathan Pendragon. In it he discussed the various levels of art and artists. He wrote about artists who are basically just "covering", performing acts and styles that are just imitations of others'. He wrote of innovators, performers who push the boundaries and create altogether unique works. Of Lance Burton he wrote that, though he is not known for doing particularly innovative work, it's his sheer level of skill and perfection that makes him an artist of the highest order. You go to see Lance Burton to see magic performed absolutely flawlessly. What has changed the most since I saw his show ten years ago is that it now includes a few mysteries that are really quite innovative. Ironically, innovation in magic sometimes means performing an illusion that was developed more than a century ago but has since been forgotten. I rarely like to mention the actual effects that are presented in the shows I review, but two new effects warrant description. Burton does not appear in a puff of smoke at the beginning of his show. Instead he slowly dissolves into view, skeleton, then muscles and veins, and finally flesh. Later in the show he turns a woman into a gold statue. Again the transition is not immediate. The woman very gradually transforms into a gold statue right before your eyes. I'm sure that this is an old effect from over a century ago that I have read about but never seen performed live. There is really very little in magic that is genuinely new. Just as musicians have a finite number of chords and notes to work with, magicians have a fairly limited range of effects to draw on. It's how magicians and musicians combine these elements that creates, or doesn't create, a truly magical experience. Lance is very much a classicist of magic, and much of what you will see in his show was being presented on stage somewhere more than a century ago. But that doesn't in any way make his show less contemporary. It is absolutely state of the art, and presented in what is one of the most beautiful theatres in this city. The ads around town proclaim that "New Wonders Await". I first saw his show when he was the headliner at the old Hacienda, sometime in the mid to late 80's. Fortunately there are elements of his show that are still completely intact, especially his opening dove act that was the staple of his early career. Yet they've also added a significant amount of new material, so if you have seen his show in the past I can certainly recommend attending again. One notable new addition is a full scale theatrical production based on the old Twilight Zone television show. By full scale production I mean two-story tall sets, a plot line, characters delivering lines etc. The setting is a city street, and the set design itself is absolutely amazing with storefronts that bulge surrealistically, and live actors in the windows of every storefront. It's a full scale live-action cartoon with characters vanishing in and out of mailboxes and a phone booth in a bizarre story involving a criminal clown and an Irish cop. The cop thing is a cliche, but clowns are always bad news. That's a fact. Overall, the set design in the show is amazing, and reminiscent of how I imagine the old traveling magic shows of the late 1800's and early 1900's must have been. These were the days when magic shows traveled by train with truckloads of equipment and huge troupes of performers. Any kid can learn a few tricks and print the term "Master Magician" in a business card, but in Burton's case that phrase has a specific meaning. You can read about the history of Master Magicians as well as the Royal Dynasty of Magic on his website ( http://www.lanceburton.com ). When you see his show you are really witnessing a piece of history, and you are watching a great artist paint his masterpiece right before your eyes. Which brings me to the best news of all. Even after decades of performing on a nightly basis, you get no sense that this man is bringing anything less than his "A" game to the table. He is either the nicest man in show business or the best actor doing a nice guy act. The audience gets thanked, the crew gets thanked, the other performers are allowed to shine, and he handles volunteers with kindness. In perhaps the classiest five minutes of live theatre I have ever seen he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket on which was written the names of several people in the audience who were having birthdays or anniversaries. He took the time to locate the people in the audience and congratulate them on the occasion. I'll conclude with a quick punch list of additional highlights. Juggler Mike Goudeau rocked the house as usual, as did a clowny assistant named Tom. The levitation of a woman is an absolute thing of beauty, extremely sexy but tasteful. His dove act in the opening of the show is something everyone should see live at least once. Again, why is he so great? Simply because is so great. Anyone may post, repost, copy, give away, sell, email, translate, and distribute this review in any manner they see fit so long as they do not alter the copy (excerpts are fine) and as long as this entire disclaimer is included, including the following URL (http://www.vegasmagicreviews.com). The content of this review is the sole property of Vegas Magic Reviews and Steve Harder-Kucera, author of this review. |
thehawk Inner circle 2275 Posts |
I also remember Lance from the Hacienda for $24.95/show. He always said his show was cheaper because he didn't have the white tigers. He put on a great show and I must have seen him 5 or 6 times.
If I go back to Vegas will make a point of seeing him again. Thanks for the review. |
Scott Compton Special user Hampton, VA 747 Posts |
Lance's opening illusion where he slowly appears was created by Johnny Thompson. It truly is a thing of beauty. Johnny has done a lot of work with Lance on his show.
Magic is an art. I am merely a tour guide.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scott-Compton-Magician/160270640674735 "You are the magic" Jay Ose to Albert Goshman |
magicfish Inner circle 7004 Posts |
Without a doubt an expert magician- truly one of the greats ever.
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Jim Stan Magic Man Loyal user Chicago Area 241 Posts |
Lance can do it all. From the stage illusions to the stage manipulations. He is also very in tune with the audience and people feel they can relate to him. I have seen David Copperfield multiple times. He really does not have the same connection with his audience anymore.
It is rare to see someone like Lance who can work all facets of magic to such a high level. Jim |
WagsterMagic Special user Myrtle Beach, SC 639 Posts |
When we were at the show, it was my brothers birthday. He wished him a happy birthday and gave him a dvd. I got to meet him afterwards as well.
I turned into a five year old kid when he came out to meet and greet my family and I. And yes, the beginning appearance was AMAZING sheer beauty. He definatley deserves his spot in the dynasty without a doubt. Best Brandon p.s.- I think he gets botox... lol
The Wagsters: World Class Magic & Illusion
www.wagstermagic.com |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I havn't seen him for 13 years, but back then I thought he was one of the best. I can't imagine he has gotten worse!
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Mark Rough Inner circle Ivy, Virginia 2110 Posts |
Lance's show is always on my must see list when I find the time, money and energy to go to Vegas. He is, without a doubt, the one of the best I have ever seen. He embodies everything that magic was and is for me.
Side note: I walked into Harris Teeter last night to pick up some stuff and was greeted by a lifesize cardboard cutout of Lance. Not sure what the promotion was for, but it was a pleasure to see it. I tried to find the manager to find out if I could have it when they were done with it, but he/she wasn't in. I'll try again today.
What would Wavy do?
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