About.com Rating
The Bottom Line
Carnival of Illusion is a voyage to an earlier era where magic and comedy are intertwined into an interactive enjoyable experience. Bring your friends, bring your date. Either way, you'll have an Ooh La La! time.
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What I Liked
- Consider Carnival of Illusion for a special occasion or a date
- Intimate setting with limited ticket sales
- Engaging magicians who are also funny
- Audience participation, but they don't embarrass anyone
Be Aware
- Expensive tickets
- Show lasts for an hour and a half, leaves you wanting more -- but that might be a good thing!
Description
- The two performers in Carnival of Illusion play well off one another; you can tell they've been a team for a while.
- Did you see a mistake or a misstep during one of the illusions? There are quite a few acts, and it is bound to happen. Hey, if it was so easy, we'd all be on that stage!
- Come to the show ready to have a good time, and be willing to participate if asked. (Especially if your real name is Cupcake.)
Review - Carnival of Illusion
Carnival of Illusion is a unique parlor show providing both magic and Vaudeville-style humor. Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed are the two stars who, with the help of the audience, create a mesmerizing evening of illusion and comedy.
This is modern, clean entertainment with an old-world feel. I especially enjoyed the fact that the illusions are not especially high tech; they don't involve a great deal of equipment or fancy electronic special effects.
Magic is most amazing to me when it is simple and intriguing, and Carnival of Illusion delivers.
About the stars of the show: one of the characters is charming and one is adorable. But which is which?
About the Show
I'm not sure why the creators of Carnival of Illusion chose to leave their careers in astrophysics and real estate management to concentrate on magic and comedy, but the transition is to our benefit. Sarlot & Eyed began performing Carnival of Illusion in Tucson, AZ in 2009, where it developed into ongoing sold-out performances. A critical part of the success of the show has to do with the fact that it is performed for a smaller audience, usually between 50 and 100 people. Everyone is close enough to see every zany facial expression and every illusion. There is mystery. There is intrigue. There are secrets. There there are shots of colorful beverages. (You have to see the show to understand that!)
Audience members will be asked to participate in Carnival of Illusion. Some on stage, some from their seats. There's no need to be concerned; Roland and Susan are not going to make you look silly. Unless you are a terrible artist. (You have to see the show to understand that!)
After the show you can meet the performers and take a photo, if you'd like.
About the Venue
Carnival of Illusion typically takes place at high quality resorts or theatres. At the larger venues, they will typically use one of the smaller theatres, to ensure that the intimate nature of the show is preserved. When I attended the show in November 2012, it was at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in central Phoenix. In 2013 another location was added and I saw the show again in 2014 at ASU Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale. Since then, they have added Mesa Arts Center to their venue list.
How It Works
There used to be a rather complex, first-come first-served process for assigning seats, but I am happy to report that this is no longer the case. I was able to select my own seats for the show, which means that I don't have to get there too early and I can enjoy a leisurely dinner before the grapefruit is revealed. (You have to see the show to understand that one!) The front row parlour seats are priced at a premium, and typically sell out well in advance. Seats on the main level would be my preference, because I like to see all the facial expressions of the performers. Seats are banked at Kerr, so views are unobstructed. I do wish that the stage platform was a little higher.
At the Kerr Cultural Center, the first row of the upper level (it's not very high) may not be the best for shorter folks, since there is a railing, the top of which might be just in your line of sight.
You may bring beverages into the show. There is a brief intermission.
Who Should See Carnival of Illusion?
Both times I attended there were a few kids, some older folks, and couples out on date night. If you enjoy magic, and you like to smile for about 80 minutes, this show is for you. Children ages 13 and up are welcome at evening performances.
Five Things To Know Before You Go
- Sarlot and Eyed refresh the show from time to time, so you might see it more than once and experience a different act or two. The second time I saw Carnival of Illusion, it had been 18 months since my previous visit, and there were three major new acts.
- Keep in mind that the energy level may vary from show to show, depending on the audience. This is an interactive experience; the more you are in the mood to participate and have a good time, the better the show.
- No food or drinks are included with your ticket.
- While it would be easy for a couple of magicians to just get on the stage and perform, there is a theme, "Around the World in 80 Minutes." You'll be transported and amazed!
- If you are considering entertainment for a corporate event or a party, Carnival of Illusion may just be the answer.
- Roland and Susan welcome you into their parlour for a magical evening. If it's a date night, I highly recommend stopping after the show for dinner, if it is an early show, or dessert, for the late show, so that you can spend an hour trying to answer the question, "How did they do that?"
What? That was six things and not five? Ah ha! I just pulled an extra one out of my hat. It's magic!
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As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary tickets for review purposes. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy. All dates, times, prices and venues are subject to change without notice. 11/2012 and 04/2014.