Lies, Damn Lies & Magic Tricks is James Alan’s intimate magic show.  It doesn’t make you smarter or share the secret to making money without working.

The show is a magic act, not a play. It is very engaging and entertaining. An hour will fly by before you know it.

Lies, Damn Lies & Magic Tricks involves card tricks, balls hidden under cups and intuition. Money is set on fire only to reappear later in truly bizarre places.

Several audience members are called onstage to join Alan. They join in, helping to create the magic tricks. This results in the show having an “improv” aspect, and no two shows are the same. I would highly recommend volunteering to help with the magic, as it adds a ton to the fun.

Of course the fun is shared by everyone. Alan is very personable. He makes you laugh between the lies and tricks.

James Alan’s style of magic is referred to as strolling or mingle magic. He doesn’t make The Statue of Liberty disappear. He doesn’t reveal the secrets of the tricks like Penn and Teller. He uses ordinary objects and creates extraordinary feats with them.  There is also predictions and mindreading.

I am clueless regarding the technical aspects of magic. To my eyes, James Alan is every bit as good as any magician I have seen on TV.

James Alan does a lot of work with children and seniors. This weekend’s shows are family friendly matinees. This would be a great show to take your grandparents and grandchildren to!

Details:

• Lies, Damn Lies & Magic Tricks plays at Venue B: Scotiabank Studio Theatre (Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement, 6 Noble Street)
• Showtimes: Thurs. August 9, 10:00 PM, Fri. August 17, 7:30 PM, Sat. August 11, 7:30 PM, Wed. August 15, 5:00 PM Sat. August 18, 2:30 PM, Sun. August 19, 12:00 PM
• All individual SummerWorks tickets are $15 at the door (cash only). Tickets are available online at http://ticketwise.ca, By phone by calling the Lower Ossington Box Office at 416-915-6747, in person at the Lower Ossington Box Office (located at 100A Ossington Avenue) Mon. – Sun. 12PM-7PM (Advance tickets are $15 + service fee)
• Several money-saving passes are available if you plan to see at least 3 shows

-photo of James Alan by Irina Popova