Wind has the audience in the palm of his hand
What is it about magic shows that audiences find so compelling? Is it the flashy presentation, the sparkling costumes, the smart misdirection? Asi Wind thinks that it’s all of the above – and so his latest show, ‘Incredibly Human’, endeavours to compel us without any of the usual magician’s tricks. He intends not only to dazzle us, but to make us think about exactly why we are dazzled.
Entering an almost bare stage (save for some props which we know will be used to confuse and delight us later), Wind has a comfortable and dry relationship with his audience. He drops pithy remarks about the acts of magic he is pulling off while he is doing them, taking care to express, at each applause, that what he is doing is not extraordinary – indeed, we could all do it.
There is a real meta undertone to this piece – it would be impossible to have a show dedicated to unmasking the human side of magic without touching on the fact that we are all aware, despite not being members of the Magic Circle, that there is thorough calculation behind what appears to be spontaneous magic. Wind takes care to include some social commentary – which comes across as underdeveloped, and, at some points, clumsily done. From his set-ups to the thrilling conclusions of his tricks, there is an attempt by Wind and director Seth Barrish to connect what is happening with some greater emotional point, but they don’t often hit that mark. What seems most obvious about human nature to me by the end of the show, is that we are all more susceptible than we might like to let on.
All the other marks are hit, however – Wind is a naturally charming performer, has the audience in the palm of his hand. Volunteers from the crowd burst into applause and have genuine shock on their face – and I have to admit, despite my scepticism, I’m left impressed.