by Kevin Shaw
Jeff Hobson is a working magician. By that, we mean he’s been performing magic around the world for well over 20 years with no plans of stopping anytime soon. He likes to mix comedy with illusion and he’s heading to Memphis’ Orpheum Theatre February 10 th -12 th (after another successful Broadway run) with 6 other magicians in The Illusionists—billed as the “World’s Best Selling Touring Magic Show.”
Focus Magazine was able to reach Hobson on the phone from the tour in Portland to talk about his life in magic and his trip to Memphis.
Focus: How long have you been out on the road with this show?
Hobson: This show has been going now over five years. It started with a phone call from a producer who said, “Hey, do you want to do a magic show?” Of course, I’ve been in the business long enough to know that generally means something tacky, but then he said, “We’re going to open at the Sydney Opera House!” Well, now I’m interested! The next thing you know we’ve been on the road now for five years and it’s probably going to go for another five years.
Focus: So, you’ve been with the tour from the very beginning?
Hobson: Yes.
Focus: Wow! This tour is being billed as “Live from Broadway!” Were you with the show when it was on Broadway?
Hobson: Yes. We’ve just completed our third season on Broadway. When we do Broadway, it’s just for a season—it’s not an open, unlimited run. We just completed the Christmas season there. Actually, there are multiple incarnations of this show. This one that is coming to Memphis is called, “Live from Broadway” because this version was just on Broadway. We also have a version called, “Turn of the Century” which we did in a previous Broadway season which is kind of a throwback to the olden days of Houdini and Dante and Blackstone. It was more of a historical show. We’ve also got another one called “Illusionists 2.0” which is less English speaking that goes to foreign countries.
Focus: Do you like sharing the stage with six other magicians or would you rather have the show all to yourself?
Hobson: The problem is unless a “magic show” has an internationally known name like “Copperfield,” it’s hard to generate enough people to do a one-man show. Plus, it’s a lot of work. So, this makes it much more appealing for audiences because this is sort of like a variety show of magic. You’re not looking at one guy for two hours. You’re looking at seven guys doing their best material, one right after the other. I think the sum of our parts is a much greater show than just seeing a one-person show.
Focus: I’m guessing all of the magicians are very different stylistically?
Hobson: Exactly!
Focus: Who gets to decide who goes first? Is it better to be at the very end?
Hobson: (Laughing) Well, you know in old show business acumen, the 2nd to the last act is always going to be the best, but that was only during vaudeville days because, back then, when people knew it was going to be the last act, they were wanting to get the hell out of the theatre to be the first to get to their cars. So back then, it was never good to be the last act—it was good to be the 2 nd to the last act. In our show, that really doesn’t count because the director and the producer call the shots as far as who goes when.
Focus: So, how is this show laid out? Does it get more dramatic and impressive as the show plays out?
Hobson: Well, I’m sort of the host of the show. I come out at the beginning and welcome everybody and then I introduce a number of acts throughout the show and then I also introduce the entire cast at the end of the show, so I’m strewn throughout. But, our show starts with a big production number and then it progresses with highs and lows throughout (like a roller coaster) of emotions—from danger to beauty to suspense to comedy and then shock. We’ve got quite a roller coaster of a show. The order of the show is laid out so that the audience is always wondering, “What’s coming next?”
Focus: Where’s home for you when you’re not on the road?
Hobson: Las Vegas. I did a show there every night for 15 years, so it’s nice to get out and see the country and places I’ve never been—like Memphis!
Focus: Is this a family show? Is it appropriate for all ages?
Hobson: This is an adult magic show where kids are very welcome. What I mean by that is that anything we do in this show could be seen on nightly television. We have lots of children come to our show, but it’s not a “children’s show.” This is a show for people from 5 to 105. If you’re 106, you’re out of luck!
http://www.theillusionistslive.com/
https://www.orpheum-memphis.com/
About “The Illusionists — Live from Broadway”
“A High-tech Magic Extravaganza”-The New York Times. Direct from Broadway, the world’s best-selling magic show is coming to the Orpheum. This mind blowing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of seven of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. THE ILLUSIONISTS – LIVE FROM BROADWAY TM has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.
Coming to the Orpheum Memphis February 10 – 12, 2017. www.orpheum-memphis.com
