Samual Taylor Coleridge said that some art must be viewed with “a willing suspension of disbelief.” The audience’s relationship to imaginative works of art is especially true of the theater. This certainly applies to magic shows. Amaze is an ideal example of a show that works best with a “suspension of disbelief.”
Jamie Allen presents this magic show. He points out that there are two types of people in the audience – dreamers and skeptics. The dreamers acknowledge the existence of magic. The skeptics try to figure out how the trick is done. For the best experience, simply suspend disbelief, sit back, and enjoy the magic of Amaze. If possible, it would be better to watch the show with a young child and watch Allen through the child’s eyes.
Allen presents a show that is audience-centered. The magic is not presented behind a television screen or remotely in a large venue. He is presenting a production of considerable scope within an intimate theatre setting. The magic is in your face, which makes it even more amazing. The interactive presentation engages the audience in the experience.
Jamie Allen takes us through the journey of his life in magic. He starts with when he got a Fisher-Price magic kit as a child. Throughout the show, he combines personal tales with illusions. We buy the man as well as the showman.
Amaze combines digital magic with traditional tricks. Jamie Allen moves from making a motorcycle appear on stage to card tricks. Hand-held cameras make every aspect of the more intimate tricks visible to everyone.
Jamie Allen achieves his goal of “presenting a large-scale show in a tiny theater.” He fuses magic with technology and then seamlessly moves to a traditional magic trick. The rhythm of his show assures that the audience is constantly amazed. This fabulous show is both riveting and fun.
