Showstealers in association with MagiCares™ presents
“A Night of 100 Magicians”
www.palladiummagicshow.com
100 Years of Palladium Magic
by Chris Woodward
Author of 'The London Palladium - The Story of the Theatre and its Stars'
Paul Stone has had a string of successful shows to his credit not only in Las Vegas but also many in London's West End theatres and several at the London Palladium. The last one was to honour Siegfried & Roy in 2008. I had been privileged in my youth to see the full evening shows of Jasper Maskelyne, Dante and many more of that wonderful variety era. I saw that show in 2008 and felt then that it was the greatest magic show I had seen. I did not think it could be bettered. But in my opinion 'Palladium Magic' just tipped the scales and I'll tell you why...
Six years ago John Calvert said to Paul 'When I reach 100, I want to appear at The Palladium and you to produce the show.' Paul quickly replied 'When you get to 98, call me!' John did just that and so, on Monday 19th September 2011, after two years of planning and many weeks and months of preparation, 'Palladium Magic' finally took to the stage.
When John Calvert toured the UK in 1952 he appeared in most major provincial theatres and I saw that show in Birmingham. The tour was scheduled to climax at The Palladium, a rightful end to a very successful tour. However fate took a hand as it so often does and due to the huge box office success, they extended the run of the then current Palladium show starring rising UK star Norman Wisdom. So John had to finish his tour at The Finsbury Park Empire. This was a nearby and respected London theatre but it wasn't the Palladium; the precious jewel in many an artist's crown. It was then, it is now, and it always will be the greatest!
To coincide with the Centenary of the London Palladium, Paul agreed to make John's dream come true. In conjunction with MagiCaresTM, the Charity that Paul founded at the 'Tribute to Siegfried & Roy at the London Palladium' in 2008, he set about organising 'Palladium Magic' a show to celebrate not only the theatre's Centenary and John Calvert's 100th Birthday, but also to honour all those legendary magicians who had graced the Palladium boards since the theatre first opened its doors in 1910.
The glossy souvenir programme (a complimentary copy was placed on every seat) highlighted many of those magicians from the early days of Rameses, Chung Ling Soo and Houdini to Goldin Maskelyne and Cardini right up to modern day miracle workers such as Johnny Hart, Paul Daniels, Tommy Cooper, Wayne Dobson and Robert Harbin.
The current Palladium box office success is 'The Wizard of Oz' starring Michael Crawford. Monday is the theatre's 'dark' day and the 'get in' for a one day Concert is 8 a.m. There is much to do in just 10 hours before the doors open and the audience arrive, including music and lighting rehearsals and the staging of the show, and also the many unseen details that go into a show of this scale, including the removal of seats to accommodate wheelchairs.
I was privileged to be present at these rehearsals and I have to be honest that with the clock ticking fast, it didn't seem possible that the show would be ready on time. But Paul had assembled a team of top magic and theatre professionals and together with the superb Palladium backstage crew, the curtain went up on time.
Whilst the theatre guests were entering and being seated, and also during the interval, nearly forty close-up workers ably entertained and took their rightful bow on this famous stage as the forerunner to the show.
The show began with 27 energetic Palladium Magic Dancers who got the show off to a superb start. Paul Stone, Executive Producer, and the show's Host and Compère then introduced the first act, Erix Logan from Italy, who presented some superb illusions. Next on was Yelena Larkina from Russia who, with her beauty and style, took Hula Hoops to the next level. Believe me, it is a great act!
Michael Finney from the USA scored well with his wonderful brand of humour. Multi Award Winner, Mikael Szanyiel from Paris, came next with a music theme to his magic, he was very funny with superb timing. Mac King came all the way from Harrah's Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and certainly did not disappoint. He has a free and easy style that endeared him to the packed house getting lots of laughs along the way with his thumb tie, and 'cards across' using his hilarious 'Cloak of invisibility'.
Guest of Honour and magic superstar Silvan from Italy made an unprogrammed appearance. Silvan is no stranger to the Palladium. His first highly successful season was in 1967 and several Sunday TV appearances followed. Such was his popularity he was featured in three in succession. His charisma and brilliant card manipulation was enjoyed by all.
The delightful Nathalie Enterline charmed her way with incredible baton twirling skill, great humour and superb manual dexterity with her trademark red hat and cane.
There are bird acts and then there is Marko Karvo! From Finland, this consumate performer is the ultimate in elegance and precision, producing doves and cages out of thin air, followed dramatically by a cockatoo and a magnificent parrot, both of which flew out and around the audience before landing back perfectly on Marco's outstretched arm. The stunned audience jumped to their feet as one and gave this brilliant performer a prolonged and thunderous standing ovation! A fitting climax to the first half!
The Palladium Magic Dancers opened the second half followed by the emotional introduction of Magic Legend and Centenarian John Calvert making his much anticipated London Palladium debut. John presented his Lazy Magician routine with silks and ropes and he still has that twinkle in his eye, charming the whole audience. John received a wonderful and deserved ovation!
Paul Zenon, again no stranger the Palladium, was really entertaining with his own style of magic and offbeat humour.
Jugglers come and go but there is only one Kris Kremo. With hats, balls, and cigar boxes, and great humour allied to his uncanny timing, Kris is perfection personified. Featured in the 1975 Royal Variety Performance, this was Kris' long awaited return to the Palladium stage. The climax of Kris's outstanding act is the Guinness Book of Records quadruple pirouette catching the cigar boxes in mid-air!
Ben Stone, accompanied by a bevy of dancers, followed and sang the MagiCares anthem which he had also composed. The 'Liberace of Magic,' Jeff Hobson, had literally travelled overnight from Las Vegas to appear with his hilarious comedy and audience participation with fire-eating and his unique version of 'signed card to mouth', egg bag, and his wrist watch steals. This simple description certainly does NOT do his act justice. He was hilarious!
The closing act was Hans Klok and Company who had travelled overnight from a performance in Rotterdam. Brilliantly assisted by the Divas of Magic, his unbelievable illusions and whirlwind performance style was the perfect climax to a sensational show.
Interspersed during the acts Paul thanked many unseen hands, and introduced Magic Legends Wayne Dobson, David Berglas and, all the way from the USA, the original bird manipulator Jack Kodell, and his wife Mary Naylor, herself a Variety Legend from the 1950s, and a favourite of the Royal Family.
Paul Stone can be justly proud that he produced the best magic show ever at The London Palladium, the greatest variety theatre in the world. All the stars say so!
