Amaze

B+

This magic show/memoir featuring Jamie Allan, a British magician/monologist who intersperses memories of his childhood with a series of amazing illusions, sleight of hand and mentalist tricks, has been running at New World Stages for over a year.

Allan grew up over a village pub owned by his loving, supportive parents. His mother, who sang at the pub’s cabaret, died when he was still a child. The show is in large part a tribute to her. 

Some of the tricks are small scale, involving Rubik cubes, playing cards and a jigsaw puzzle, but they are projected on three large screens. The first act ends with a spectacular levitation with a surprise twist at the end. The second act involves more tech, including video screens, iPads and, in a trick that especially baffled me, the calculators on the audience members’ cellphones. There is low-key audience participation, mostly with children. The set and projections are quite elaborate. His two female assistants are duly attractive. At two hours with intermission, it’s a little long. Some of the reminiscences are a bit long-winded and could be trimmed to pick up the pace. Nevertheless, it delivers on its title and is a good family show. Discount tickets are available on TodayTix.