The Illusionists – Magic Of The Holidays on Broadway

The full cast of The Illusionists – Magic Of The Holidays, is:

CHRIS COX – “THE MENTALIST”

Chris Cox knows what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, who the hell is Chris Cox? Lucky you’re reading this! He’s a multi-award winning “mind reader who can’t read minds” and the star of the BBC’s “Chris Cox’s Mind Boggling Magic” and “Killer Magic.” He’s performed in three London West End seasons and a sell-out run at Sydney Opera House, and has been seen live by over 750,000 people. On stage he’s starred in The Illusionists – Direct From Broadway (London’s West End, USA, South Africa, Mexico & Australia including Sydney Opera House), Impossible (2x London’s West End, Dubai Opera & World Tour), and five critically acclaimed one-man solo Edinburgh Fringe Festival shows which he wrote and performed throughout the UK and New Zealand. In addition to his own TV shows, you may have seen Chris with One Direction at the BBC Music Awards (BBC), or on “America’s Got Talent” (NBC), “Heston Blumenthal’s Recipe For Romance” (Channel 4), “Now You See It” (BBC One), How TV Changed Magic and The Mentalist Revealed (Channel 5), The Secret Of Star Wars (BBC iPlayer) and The Project (Channel 9 Australia). Chris has created magic for Barnum (Menier Chocolate Factory), Dan & Phil’s 2016 & 2018 World Tours, Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck Restaurant, and is the Magic & Illusions Assistant for Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, Parts One and Two (Palace Theatre, London). 

DOM CHAMBERS – “THE SHOWMAN”

“America’s Got Talent” semi-finalist Dom Chambers is an internationally award-winning magician and comedian, known for his modern take on magic, his viral internet videos, and artistic live performances. His internet videos have been viewed over 100 million times and his magic has appeared on many of America’s and Australia’s major TV networks. He was the first Australian based magician to appear on the hit international TV series, ‘Penn & Teller: Fool Us!’, and only Australian solo act ever to make the semi-finals of AGT. His critically acclaimed one-man show ‘RanDom’ was awarded the prestigious award for “Best Magic Show,” at the Adelaide Fringe in 2019. Charming and approachable, Dom puts on a show is like none other.

ERIC CHIEN – “THE MANIPULATOR”

Eric Chien is a rising star of the magic world. He was born in Taiwan, raised in the States, has traveling around the world and now lives in Beijing. Eric Chien’s fascination with magic started when he was in high school. During his freshman year of college, he suffered from depression due to experiencing his first heartbreak. He locked himself in his room for nearly half a year with no human contact whatsoever, but magic became his companion. Practicing up to eight hours a day, Eric soon became a master in sleight of hand. At the end of his sophomore year, he decided to drop out of school and become a professional magician. Eric started his magic career as a consultant for the top magician in China in 2016. In 2018, he became the first Asian to ever win the title of FISM World Champion of Close Up Magic Grand Prix, the so-called Olympic games of magic. The next year, he won 2019 “Asia’s Got Talent” Season 3. After that, he became a viral magician all over the world. Eric always says, “I want the world see my magic. I want the story and hopes of my magic to bring amazement and child-like wonder to everyone.”

PAUL DABEK – “THE TRICKSTER”

Paul Dabak is one of the UK’s top entertainers. He has performed across six continents, on the stages of London’s West End, headlined his own show in Las Vegas, and appeared on BBC TV. An accomplished magician, comedian and actor, Paul’s skills have won him critical acclaim. Both the Magic Circle and the International Brotherhood of Magicians have recognized Paul’s talent, naming him Young Magician of the Year and awarding him the British Shield. Paul’s fast-paced dynamic magic, quick-witted humor, and a theatrical flair combine with a personality that reaches to the very back of the theater. Join Paul as he reveals exactly what’s up his sleeve and delves into his box of tricks while cheekily enchanting the audience with jaw-dropping hilarity.

KEVIN JAMES – “THE INVENTOR”

Kevin James became interested in the art of magic at a very early age. He remembers seeing his first magic performance and – more importantly – how it made him feel. This feeling helped Kevin decide at a young age that performing magic for the world was his life’s calling.  Kevin’s style of performance is anything but conventional, with his unique comedy and magic garnering him a reputation as a world-class visual artist and making him one of the highest-viewed magicians on YouTube with millions of hits. This fresh approach has allowed him to headline in some of the world’s top theaters. Additionally, Kevin has performed on television in 89 countries. Some of his past performances include: headlining Las Vegas casinos, starring at the famous Crazy Horse in Paris, royal performances for the Prince of Monaco, Prince of Bahrainm, and the Sultan of Dubai, and a command performance for President Obama at the White House. Kevin is a prolific inventor and consultant of magic. Not only are his performances original, but many of his ideas have made their way into the shows of other famous magicians, such as: Doug Henning, Penn & Teller, Mark Wilson and David Copperfield, as well as several films. Kevin’s magical brilliance lead to him receiving the Creative Fellowship Award from The Academy of Magical Arts and Sciences in Hollywood in 2004, as well as multiple Stage Magician of the Year awards. Kevin is related to the legendary P.T. Barnum, and he’s like his famous ancestor in many ways. His artistic vision was to create the most unique show on the planet and make adults feel like a kid again, which he describes as the “best job ever!” 

ENZO WEYNE – “THE UNFORGETTABLE”

Enzo held his first magic show at 11 years old, with humble resources. However, he wished to stage far more impressive illusions on a larger scale, anddecided to move towards studies that would allow him to master skills which could help him build his own tricks. He spent a year as an engineering student, learning how to draw up plans, put his ideas on paper, and understand mechanics and electrotechnics. He was also curious about psychology and the paranormal. It was Enzo’s performance on “France’s Got Talent” where his imagination and maturity stood out to both the audience and the jury. A couple of years later, Enzo mesmerized the audience of Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde. This new fame opened the doors to the most prestigious events in Europe, as well as the greatest international festivals. Since then, Enzo has been considered the rising star of magic. In 2013, he returned to “France’s Got Talent,” where he again stupefied the jury and the audience by making a helicopter appear on stage, an act that had never been seen before on television. In 2015, at 26 years old, he stepped on the stage of the mythical Casino de Paris to premiere his show, Beyond Illusions. It was the starting point of an adventure of a lifetime.

Alongside The Illusionists their incredible team of magic assistants and dancers are Alison Koroly, Taryn May, Rachael Wexelberg, Jerrell Johnson and Jesus Sepulveda.

A hyperactive Harry Potter who knows what you’re thinking The New York Times

The two most memorable bits come from Chris Cox, aka “the Mentalist”, whose mass mind-reading acts are as funny as they are jaw-dropping Time Out Sydney

Chris Cox – The Mentalist’s routine ended with a deafening roar and a standing ovation. Having the biggest “wow” moment of the show led to Cox becoming a crowd favorite. “Chris Cox was my favorite. He is so quirky, entertaining and fun,” audience member, Francesca Geis, said after the show. Iowa State Daily

Chris Cox (The Mentalist) with his mind-reading act works so fast that it was almost impossible to imagine how he could work his prestidigitation so quickly. At one point he had a young boy on stage and put him behind a curtain, gave him general instructions of what to do, and magically duplicated all that he did without being able to see him. It was impressive to behold. Broadway World

This show was all about the amazing Chris Cox, who reaches into the minds of the audience and reveals things that are truly mind blowing. He’s a cross between Pee Wee Herman and a computer geek with incredible mind-reading stunts that will astounded, amazed and thoroughly have you wanting more. This wacky mentalist is disarming with his charm and wit, revealing things you never thought he could know. Times Square Chronicles

Chris reaches into the minds of the audience and reveals things that were previously not revealed. He’s a wacky mentalist that is disarming with his charm and piercing with his wit and ability to know the unknowable. New York Theatre Guide

Another surprise: The show is howlingly hilarious, notably the comic patter of wired and goofy Chris Cox (The Mentalist) during his mindreading routines, which had the bewildered house in an uproar of laughter. His sight-gag reveals, ad-libs, and double-entendres throughout (“I ♥ Cox”) were a delight. DC Theatre Arts

Audience participation is in abundance in this show, making it so that there is no way to know what will happen at any bit of the performance. We watched as the most random spectator was selected, with no possible way to have been picked out before, and the impossible became possible. While I loved each of the performers, the standout performance, for me, was that of The Mentalist, Chris Cox. This British magician had us all completely perplexed as he began reading people’s minds over and over before, without any knowledge of the volunteers. One by one, each person selected to work with him was astonished at his accuracy. I have no idea how he did what he did, but I will tell you, it was beyond impressive. We were all left completely amazed. The Mommy Avenger

Chris Cox, who plays The Mentalist, had a couple of interesting acts that also used comedy, but the laughs were used to showcase revealing mind reading. First off, Cox is a consummate entertainer who uses his entire body to convey exuberant emotion. He jumps around the Neil Simon Theatre with boundless energy, trying his best to instill a sense of wonder and delight in the holiday crowd. He succeeds, especially with his Act-I routine involving a guessing game in an elf’s dressing room (not as naughty as it sounds). His audience bit in Act II was equally impressive, and the couple who were chosen seemed genuinely shocked at his mentalist abilities. Hollywood Soapbox

Chris Cox’s mind-manipulation act, which deserves special mention: it’s utterly manic and a highlight, though it often feels as though it belongs in its own show” TheatreBuzz.Au

The award-winning The Mentalist (Chris Cox) is also a dynamic and charming high-energy performer as he reads the minds of audience members, astonishingly revealing obscure, specific details of their everyday lives and histories. The Blurb

He’s a thin, bespectacled gent, and other than a Tintin-esque tuft of hair and a penchant for tartan trousers, he doesn’t seem to have any of the gimmicks (elaborate costumes, flames, dancing girls) that his colleagues include in their acts. But Cox is a whirlwind of energy and, most importantly, lightning-quick improvised humour that makes him a hoot to watch even before he does any of what he’s a whiz at – apparently reading people’s minds. Cox appears in both halves of the show, with his first set a one-on-one encounter with a volunteer where, impressively enough, he is able to deduce details about his bewildered guest that should be impossible for him to know. His achievements after the interval are considerably more gobsmacking though, when he first reveals facets of random audience members based on touching brief questionnaires they’ve filled in, sealed in thick envelopes and placed in a container onstage. The brow-furrowing goes a step further when someone Cox is addressing touches someone next to them, and he instantly names that person and states facts about them that he cannot possible have been informed about in any conventional sense. It’s an astounding skill, effortlessly implemented. – Bruce Denhill

Chris Cox, well known on UK Television, is outstanding as ‘The Mentalist’. His mind-reading skills are so impressive that most audience members will leave with headaches trying to work out how he did it! Picking seemingly unknowing audience members (the people chosen in the performance reviewed were either all Oscar winning actors or had not been prepped before if their reactions are anything to go by) and reading their minds is nothing particularly unusual for a magic show but the accuracy and detail to which he performs this feat mixed in with his geeky sense of humour works brilliantly on the large stage. Musical Manda

The Mentalist held the real ace on the night. Bearing a physical resemblance to Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, he left the audience gasping in astonishment as he struck up a connection with members of the audience and then proceeded to probe through their thoughts. One of which involved tights and a unicorn. That’s all I will say… – IOL

Then we met quirky Chris Cox, a mind reader who blends magic, psychology and humour to produce an act that is both eccentric and yes, mind blowing. Tall and skinny, with scuffed tackies and a Tintin quiff, he’s able to warm up an audience very quickly. Until he starts telling people when their birthdays are, and what sport they play, and who their favourite band is. Then it all starts to feel a little hair-raisingly chilly. But he’s a class act, no doubt – I spoke to the three people who he had singled out in the audience, and they all swore they were not part of the show, had never met Chris Cox, and that everything he said about them was true. Spooky! – Weekend Special

Chris Cox took my mental image / concept / prior experience of mind readers and flipped all categories! Literally bounding around stage with exuberance (kind of like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh – but with braces, glasses and a neat outfit), Chris charmed the audience quickly with his endearing nature. Whereas ‘typical’ mind readers can come across as a bit scary / creepy with often serious routines, Chris ensured that his routines were the opposite – lighthearted, charming and not at all scary. The level of details he went to when ‘picking the brains’ of his audience members were incredible – much of the audience members were in disbelief. We are talking about ridiculous levels of detail here. Tay Around Town