Show rated: Alakazam x 5 stars!

Show reviewed: 19/03/26

Alakazam is a brilliant and highly original comedy brought to the Adelaide Fringe Festival by Melbourne based clown and improvisor, Ben McCarthy, that’s causing a quite a stir and receiving rave reviews. This is an entirely nonverbal production that isn’t a magic show in the traditional sense of the word but Ben is every bit the wizard as he cavorts about the stage creating havoc with his newly discovered super powers.

There are no actual magic tricks or sleight of hand in this production but there is plenty of whimsy, frivolity and wonder. As with any art, there are layers of meaning to Alakazam ranging imaginative play such from shambolic conjuring and the mayhem of “levitating” the audience to more therapeutic aspects like poignant moments of miming pregnancy and having a baby. It is up to the audience what they want to take away from the experience.

McCarthy is fearless and utterly joyful in his performance, Alakazam creates an environment of play for adults to be silly with his improvisational and clowning abilities. Ben creates a universe with his imagination and invites the audience to build this world with in on an empty stage, minimal props and an eclectic choice of soundtrack that moves between music that belongs in a David Copperfield nineties magic show, to a meditation and the sound of a storm.

This show has a highly dynamic energy and McCarthy will involve the whole audience in his crowd work so this is not a product suited to those who want to just kick back and chill. There are many other great fringe experiences I can recommend for lazy weekend entertainment!