Letters To West 113th
Joff Schmidt | CBC News | Posted: July 26, 2017 4:14 PM | Last Updated: July 26, 2017
Mentalist Jeff Newman offers an entertaining show that will leave audiences asking, 'How did he know that?'
Rating: ★★★★
Company: Newman Mentalism
Genre: Magic
Venue: 12 - Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (U of W)
Is Calgary mentalist Jeff Newman really communing with the spirit world to read minds and discover what his audience is thinking?
Well, no — but there are plenty of moments in this entertaining magic show that will leave you asking, "How did he know that?"
There are plenty of moments in this entertaining magic show that will leave you asking, 'How did he know that?' - Joff Schmidt
Newman roughly frames it around a story about a magician named Thomas Whitford, who, Newman's story goes, amazed the great Houdini.
The framing device is loose, and sometimes vanishes from the show altogether, but it does provide an excuse for some pretty nifty tricks.
Seemingly just from picking up sealed envelopes, Newman managed to divine information audience members had written on cards — and sealed away — prior to the show. He somehow makes writing appear on a chalkboard without touching it, and seems to help ordinary audience members telepathically transmit messages.
On that of that, he's got a nice, easy rapport with his audience.
Otherwordly? No, but it's a magically intriguing fringe experience.