James Galea is not your average magician. Apart from his loathing for rabbits, the Australian is young, charming and just a little bit sexy.
Billed as Australia’s number one magician, he has made a name for himself in his home country and across the pond in America. Now Galea is playing in the UK for the first time at the Fringe.
To be honest, the show starts off a little rocky. The screen above the stage introduces the magician with a series of clips from his TV appearances around the world. We see him performing for Ellen DeGeneres and to sold-out theatres across Australia. It is as if we have to realise that he is famous even if we have never heard of him.
But when he bounds onto the stage wearing skinny jeans, T-shirt and a contagious smile all is forgiven. What follows is an energetic hour of high-paced sleight of hand and misdirection.
The tricks may not be original but it is the way they are executed that impresses. Cards appear and disappear and watches vanish only to end up inside a can of chickpeas. A trick involving a bottle, tube, audience member and silly voices leaves the auditorium in stitches.
The last trick of the evening, 673 King Street, is a jaw-dropping feat of magic. Introduced as the first trick Galea ever learned his face lights up with a sly smile when he sees how impressed the audience are.
Galea may have learned his craft from a conman but this show is proof that his skills can make a much more honest living.
- James Galea - I Hate Rabbits is on at The Playhouse at Hawke and Hunter at 7.30pm from Aug 11 – 29.
