World-class magicians and illusionists astonished audiences today at the launch of brand new West End show IMPOSSIBLE. The biggest magic show London has seen in decades is set to thrill audiences at London’s Noël Coward Theatre this summer when it opens on 24th July. Spectators at the launch event were given taste of what’s to come as the magicians performed a number of dumbfounding stunts, from Houdini’s death-defying water tank escape with a 21st century twist to contemporary street magic.
The show, which runs for just 5 weeks, fuses dazzling grand stage illusions, up-close-and-personal magic, cutting-edge technological tricks and death-defying stunts in a fast-paced, breath-taking spectacular, under the direction of triple BAFTA-winner Anthony Owen, Executive Producer of Channel 4’s Derren Brown.
The event also revealed the additional performers joining the world-class line up will be explosive break-dancing street magician Magical Bones, escapologist and expert magician Ali Cook and world-renowned grand illusionist Luis de Matos. The previously announced line-up includes: modern-day Houdini, daredevil and TV escapologist Jonathan Goodwin; mind-blowing mind-reader Chris Cox;magical mentalist Katherine Mills; boundary breaking magician Ben Hart and spell-binding digital marvel Jamie Allan.
Celebrating its global premiere this July in London, where Harry Houdini and the superstars of illusion stunned Victorian audiences on stage, IMPOSSIBLE will re-establish the UK capital as the epicenter of innovation and spectacle, hosting the greatest magic show on Earth. Directed by Anthony Owen, the multi-award winning producer and magic consultant behind Channel 4’s Derren Brown, IMPOSSIBLEbrings world-leading performers together live on-stage for the very first time. Featuring a stunning range of magical artistry from astonishing acts of epic proportions to dumbfounding up-close sleight of hand, be ready to be mesmerized and baffled by these incredible illusionists.
IMPOSSIBLE is produced in the West End by Jamie Hendry Productions, with scenic design by Andrew D. Edwards, lighting design by Tim Lutkin, video design by Duncan McLean and sound design by Gareth Owen.
Magical Bones
Richard Essien, alias Magical Bones, fuses a unique blend of innovative magic and hip hop that will have audiences spellbound as he seamlessly dances his way of straitjackets. Starting his career as a professional hip-hop dancer, he has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry including Madonna, Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys and Plan B. Now combining dance with magic, Boneshas created a new and challenging form of performance for the entire industry.
Ali Cook
Master of multiple magical trades, Ali Cook is a daredevil escapologist, sleight of hand expert, street magician, stage illusionist and performer of thought control. A pioneer of the alternative magic scene, he has written and starred in various television series including: ITV’s Penn And Teller: Fool Us; BBC 1’sNow You See It; Channel 4’s Dirty Trick’s; and Channel 5;s Psychic Secrets Revealed with Derren Brown.
Luis de Matos
Audiences won’t believe their eyes when Portuguese grand illusionist Luis de Matos takes to the stage. A master magician known for his trail-blazing stunts and ability to make cars disappear, he has won various prizes for his astounding magic. The youngest ever recipient of the distinguished ‘David Devant Award’, given to him by the Magic Circle for a significant contribution to advancing the art of magic, he’s considered by many as the most renowned and distinguished Portuguese magician of all time.
Jonathan Goodwin
Daredevil and TV Escapologist Jonathan Goodwin will have audiences on the edge of their seats as he dances with death on stage. After first appearing on Channel 4’s Dirty Tricks, Jonathan has brought his unique stunts to various TV specials including The Seven Stupidest Things to Escape From and How Not to Become Shark Bait! In his television series The Incredible Mr Goodwin, he pushes the limits of possibility with stunts that range from extreme planking to climbing skyscrapers.
Jamie Allan
You’ll never look at your iPhone the same way again. Modern day Houdini, Jamie Allen fuses magic and technology together to create spell binding stunts that captivate the contemporary audience. Transporting classic magic tricks into the digital age, his phenomenal modern illusions include sawing people in half with lasers and iPad ‘Digital Art’.
Chris Cox
Clear your mind before award-winning mind reading specialist Chris Cox gets his hands on it! Chris stars in BBC 3’s Killer Magic, bewildering audiences with his unique mind reading talent. Illusion consultant for The Bodyguard, he has flummoxed audiences on stages across the country and continues to control minds in his sell-out tour Fatal Distraction.
Ben Hart
Ben Hart invents unique magic which pushes the boundaries of film, theatre and television and tests the limits of illusion, including decapitation, vanishing and levitation At the age of 16 he won the Magic Circle’s ‘Young Magician of the Year’ Award and his most recent show The Vanishing Boy sold-out to astonished audiences. He recently starred in BBC 3’s Killer Magic, where his unique and unorthodox approaches amazed audiences across the country.
Katherine Mills
Prepare for your mind to be warped by magical mentalist and sophisticated up-close trickster Katherine Mills. Combining psychology with trickery and magic, Katherine crosses into her audiences psyche to astound and amaze. The first female magician ever with her own primetime TV series – Mind Games, Katherine is a phenomenon taking the world by storm.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
IMPOSSIBLE
Noël Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4AU
Friday 24th July – Saturday 29th August 2015
Monday – Saturday evenings at 7.30pm
Matinee performances: Tuesday and Saturday at 3.00pm
Booking details: 0844 482 5141
Access bookings: 0844 482 5137
Press Night: Thursday 30 July, 7.30pm
Website: www.ImpossibleLive.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImpossibleTheShow
Twitter: @ImpossibleShow
Ticket prices: £10, £20, £40, £60. Premium tickets are also available