Since February, Liberty Magic has attracted distinguished slight of hand
performers to its intimate venue of 70
seats. Entering a lobby that pays homage
to Harry Houdini with a replica of his famous Chinese Water Torture Illusion,
you are reminded that your experience
will take flight in the same block where
Houdini captivated Pittsburgh crowds in
1916.
Scott Shiller, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Vice President of Artistic Planning, explains that Liberty Magic “elevates magic”
by showing audiences that it's not just for kids parties but is a way of telling a story. “Just like a song sung
in different ways, there are different genres of magic. You will find the show
that suits your taste.” I was hooked on
opening week with the skill of Eric Jones’card flying and coin multiplying
show. Lee Terbosic followed with finesse and storytelling as one of the
world’s experts on Houdini’s stunts and escapes. Like the diverse colors of a rainbow that form a display of beauty, each divergent
act brought a new understanding of this art form or the “elevation of magic”. I was excited to see what color Billy Kidd would bring to the magical picture as she bridged her show (Bridging the Gap)
from Bath, England to Pittsburgh.
I would call Kidd vibrant red or purple. She was sassy and unique as she created each trick
around a mini story or theme. She opened
by conversing with her musical toy monkey and then came full circle concluding the show with its transformation as her psychic partner. The party
started with a bang as a balloon vaporized into a wine bottle, followed by card tricks, illusions and more fun surprises that, although not conventional, kept everyone playing and laughing along with
the magic.
Her performance was akin to a variety show injecting varied segments of tricks. Kidd admitted that she does not enjoy doing trick after trick like some magicians. “I try to make each one a stand-alone piece and focus on the transitions in my act.”
Kidd commanded the stage with her infectious smile and wit. Even though I had seen a few of the tricks before, I had never seen them “preformed” in such a unique manner. Her creativity and skill was a refreshing approach that added another color to the rainbow of magic.
(Liberty Magic continues the rainbow with the recently
announced launch of its 2019-20 season subscription package that will bring
seven more divergent acts to Pittsburgh. For more information on the new season
or to experience Billy Kidd’s Bridging the Gap running until June 23, 2019, go to trustarts.org.)
Other Sources
https://trustarts.org/pct_home/events/series/liberty-magic
http://www.billykiddshow.com/sample-page/
http://www.billykiddshow.com/sample-page/