As some of the world’s top magicians make their way to the capital for The Illusionists 2.0, we sat down with the show’s trickster, Jeff Hobson, to find out how he went from class clown to comedic conjurer and what audiences can expect from the planet’s biggest magic show.
What is The Illusionists 2.0 all about?
The show is about the next generation of magic. There are people from all over the world taking magic to the next level by combining technology and the traditional art of magic, blending it and coming up with a new type of show.
You’re the show’s trickster…
You never know what I’m going to do. I try to poke fun at some things, steal people’s belongings and try to not get beat up.
Were you always the class clown?
From a young age I would do vocal impressions of presidents and celebrities; I always had people laughing. I learned the craft of magic and launched my first public show at the age of 11 in my garage.
Has anything embarrassing happened on stage over the years?
Almost every time I step foot on stage! Recently a woman joined me on stage; I’d never met her before and immediately after saying her name she started to cluck like a chicken. She was trying to take over the show. Finally I worked it in my favour but it takes years of experience to handle a situation like that.
Tell us about the other magicians in The Illusionists 2.0.
This is probably the most daring and dangerous version of The Illusionists with the deceptionist, James More, doing death-defying feats that even I can barely watch from backstage. The futurist, Adam Trent, uses technology. The warrior, Aaron Crow, often has people covering their eyes. Raymont Crowe, the unusualist, is a hand-shadowist, ventriloquist, magician, comedian, clown and mime all rolled into one. Yu Ho-Jin, the manipulator, has the best set of magic hands on the planet. Luis De Matos is our host and takes us on a journey with all the magicians.
What’s it like bringing so many magicians together on one stage?
It’s an honour and a privilege. It’s really the first time in our generation that magicians of this calibre get together and it’s quite a humbling experience watching someone else who’s the best at what they do. Most of us are backstage watching the monitors because we’re enthralled with each other’s talents.
What’s your favourite part of the show?
Watching the audience scream one moment and laugh hysterically the next. That’s a treat we have as performers, being able to take an audience and get those reactions.
Why should people go watch The Illusionists 2.0?
A show like this comes around once in a lifetime. This might be the only time to see these magicians on stage together at one time.
Catch all the magic at the Emirates Palace Theatre from 25th to 27th
September. Tickets from AED 199. For more visit: www.alchemy-project.com
Rachael Peacock
