Review: Sixth Sense at Arrow on Swanston

Review by Greg Gorton

I, and Theatre Travels generally, don’t review magic that often. For me, this is primarily because I see theatre as story-telling. This means I find most stand-up, some music, and all dance, fitting in my idea of theatre. But I haven’t experienced a magic experience that does such a thing.

However, when I was approached with the promise that Tom Weil’s new show “[sat] somewhere between a theatrical experience [and] psychological experiment”, I was intrigued. That he is a mentalist (that is, magicians who work with predictions and “mind reading”) didn’t hurt, as I have always had a fascination with the form.

While the show “Sixth Sense” offered no storytelling, and few of the more superficial elements one might consider theatrical, Weil has a charm and talent for creating new presentations from the very old craft of mentalism, producing an entertaining show worth seeing.

And a lot of people agree with me. This was my first time at the Magic Festival Hub, which rivals the Fringe Festival in its business, and Weil’s show was packed with an audience excited to see magic. Ever the professional, Weil was able to handle children, hecklers, and people who can’t follow instructions with humour and flair, and offered a packed hour of a show.

If you have seen a lot of mentalism like myself, you will recognise at first some of Weil’s offerings. But, like all great performers who play the classics, Weil has found ways to make them his own. It’s always a pleasure to see audiences on stage baffled by the magician up close, and the final “calculations” was something I was pleased to have not seen before.

There is no creepy hypnotism in Weil’s show, and his adamant that nothing he does involves spiritual intervention or that “spooky kind of magic”. No, all the success of what he does comes from a razor sharp mind, a quick wit, and a lot of charm.

If you can only make one show at the Magic Festival, I’d recommend “Sixth Sense”, a mentalism show perfect for the whole family.

Image Supplied