GLENS FALLS, N.Y. >> “Glitches in Reality” takes place in that wonderful gap that exists between wonder and truth. Illusionist Simon Coronel wants his audience to be awed by acts of seemingly impossible acts of magic, while making them realize accomplishing the impossible is really a matter of hard work, stimulated by intellectual curiosity.
It’s a terrific show that entertains while it boggles the mind. For example, he closes his show – which continues through Saturday at Adirondack Theatre Festival in Glens Falls – with examples of created objects that defy the laws of nature. He then does the impossible by dropping three objects into a bottle with a neck that is too narrow to accommodate them. The bottle with the objects encased inside remains on display for all to examine while leaving the theater.
It’s an appropriate close for a man who says his journey to the world of illusion was stimulated as a child when he first saw a ship inside a bottle.
Throughout the show Coronel constantly reminds the audience that any trick he does can be done by anyone willing to practice several hours a day for almost a year. We believe him – but doubt him. His hand and finger dexterity are gifts not given to every mortal.
You might be familiar with many of his illusions, but I doubt if you’ve ever seen them accomplished so naturally. Moving coins around a table or making them disappear or transporting poker ships from one hand to another is not revelatory. Things like having a $1 bill change in $20 bill and a $5 bill morph into a 50, are not especially unique.
However, because Coronel is so adept at making even the familiar slight-of-hand tricks seem, well magical, they are enormously entertaining. His patter is also self-effacing. With the $50 trick he tells the audience it is obviously a trick, because if he could actually turn a 5 into a 50 he would be sitting alongside a pool with a pile of $5 bills at the ready.
This is not to suggest Coronel is satisfied in doing the average extraordinarily well. Solving a Rubik Cube puzzle while it is inside his mouth is pretty impressive. Having an audience member google Wikipedia and select a random topic, picking a word from the story and Coronel revealing he knew that word in advance is impressive fun.
It is truly awesome when he gives every audience member a deck of cards and after a series of cuts and discards has everyone end up with the top card showing a two of clubs is nothing short of amazing.
Not matter how in awe you might be of the tricks and no matter how impressed you are by Coronel’s skill, the joy in the show is how he incorporates his life story and meaningful incidents of his life into his illusions. For instance the two of clubs is not just a random card, it is a symbol and a gesture of humility as the lowest card in a deck was Coronel’s choice as a membership card in an early magic club.
His trick with rubber bands that form a star and stunts involving half dollar coins also have special meaning as he describes how the trick was performed to Homeland Security agents at Newark airport. The success of that trick determined whether or not he would get his green card enabling him to stay in the United States.
Yes, Coronel is an Australian. That delightful accent, combined with a self-effacing charm, is a reason this 90-minute presentation is so relaxed and enjoyable. The man has a winning way with the audience that puts everyone at ease – especially those volunteers who go on stage to bear witness and bring credibility to his tricks.
It is all made intimate and personal by how Adirondack Theatre Festival has transformed its lobby to form a 90-seat performance space in which no one is more than three rows from the illusionist. Even in this close space an overhead screen projects the tricks to add to the accessibility.
Though you will be dazzled by his illusions and won over by Coronel’s personality, the bonus in the show is leaving the Charles Wood Theatre feeling you have shared an experience with a man, who despite getting world-wide honors for being a master of his craft, is happy to share his sense of wonder with an appreciative audience.
“Glitches in Reality” is at the Adirondack Theatre Festival in the Charles Wood Theatre in Glens Falls through Saturday. Performances at 2 p.m. 5:30 and 8 p.m. For ticketsm call 518-480-4878
