How often do we parents get to turn to our kid and gasp, “How the squid did he do that?” With Santa Monica’s Magicopolis offering a family-friendly version of its popular “Escape Reality” show on weekend afternoons, the answer is twice a weekend. No offense to those eager, multi-tasking birthday party clowns and their not-so-sleight-of-hand, but the tricks at Magicopolis are popcorn-droppingly amazing. Many are familiar – from handkerchief illusions to sawing a woman in half – but professional wow-ist Steve Spill has concocted clever skits, often with his beguiling assistant Eleanora, that add to the drama. “Impossible!” exclaims Nipper as three rings collected from audience members are linked – for real! – and then somehow unconnected by Mr. Spill. And when Eleanora elegantly rises and floats midair above a couch, we’re all believers. Seeing a good magician pull a quarter from a kid’s ear has endured because, if you’re willing to give in to the wonder, even grown-ups can feel like a kid.
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