Las Vegas thrills and enchants. It’s a once in a lifetime experience – except that you’ll want to go back time and time again. Just walking down the Strip is eye-opening – you can see pirate ships, spectacular dancing fountains, gondolas and even the Eiffel Tower. However, if there is one single reason that you should go to Vegas, it’s the shows. Acrobats, headline performers and comedians light up the night, making Las Vegas the entertainment capital of the world – but all of this pales in comparison to the city’s supreme magicians and illusionists.
Any magic tour of Las Vegas should start with David Copperfield, who performs regularly at the MGM Grand. Copperfield is probably the best magician in the world, famous for stunts such as making the Statue of Liberty disappear. His show in Vegas is a knockout. It ranges from the simplest illusions with cards and coins, through to specially built contraptions that let him walk through walls. At one point in his show, he even makes 20 people vanish and then reappear at the back of the theater. Copperfield’s true strength lies in his combination of technical perfection and supreme storytelling – he draws you in and makes you truly believe.
Head down the strip a little way to the Luxor Hotel – that’s the unbelievably large bronzed pyramid with the Great Sphinx outside. Once you arrive, walk right in and book tickets for Believe, Criss Angel’s mind-blowing extravaganza. Cirque du Soleil are also involved in staging the show, making it a stunning combination of unbelievable illusions, dance and sheer athleticism. Angel invites you on a journey into his twisted mind, and takes you into a dream sequence of witches and ravens – perfect for the illusionist’s dark persona. The production values are stunning and the sets are lavish, and the magic is nonstop.
For something completely different – eccentric and cute with a psychotic twist – take a trip to the Rio and see Penn and Teller. Penn is the ultimate raconteur, while Teller famously communicates through mind and other nonverbal signals. The magic is usually varied and engaging, ranging from comedic gags through to blood-splattered fright fests – made all the more disturbing by Teller’s innocuous and slightly mischievous demeanor. Some of their most famous material includes their own unique twist on the famous bullet catch illusion, as well as a helium-filled version of the bag escape. However, be warned – Penn and Teller were never ones to shy away from controversy, and their show is incredibly politically charged.
While you’re in Vegas, there are also a number of other magic shows that are worth checking out. Take a look at Nathan Burton Comedy Magic at the Flamingo for some particularly warped versions of large-scale illusions. For the ultimate mentalism, check out Gerry McCambridge at Planet Hollywood – you will swear he can read your mind. Or, if you never managed to see Siegfried and Roy, check out Dick Arthur’s Wild Magic at O’Shea’s Showroom – this is now the only show with big cats in Las Vegas.
