By Jerssica Neu
The adversities of our current historical moment serve as a magnified reminder of the struggles for equal rights, gender equality, and simply being able to express individuality safely. These sentiments make Paige Thompson‘s residency at Liberty Magic, running from July 6th through July 31st, all the more significant and even triumphant. As Paige takes audiences through her show, Pages of Time, she reminds us that female magicians are few and far between. Many people in her male-dominated field tried to relegate her to an assistant. The girl who nearly gets sawed half, or even more archaic, is a witch. Thompson even shows audience members a replica of a gift from a concerned fan that she could use to “protect herself.”
The video package at the show’s start helps audiences understand Paige’s talent’s size and scope. She is a true illusionist and escape artist who has scarcely defied the jaws of life in a strait jacket escape. At Liberty Magic, Paige Thompson brings years of heartfelt stories along with daring escapes, masterful illusions, and sleight of hand to the stage in a show that defies optics and also joins the audience in a sense of community and storytelling. She cleverly finds ways to involve audience members in almost every trick, inviting them on stage to manipulate parts of her act or simply holding a jar of candy until the grand finale. She shares the pages of her life story in a way that helps audiences get to know her and feel a part of the show but is also hilariously quirky.
Thomson’s veracity is not lost in the humor, that she worked tirelessly to perfect her craft to prove her mother wrong but make her grandmother proud as many dismissed her as simply someone who did witchcraft. She also never forgot her roots or upbringing, reminding audiences that origins matter while making us feel that her show is bigger than just her as a single performer.
The relationship with her grandmother is palatable and only adds to her performance, especially in the last trick dedicated to her grandmother’s memory.
Thompson performs a variety of magic, with her card tricks being her best by far. Audiences will undoubtedly be entertained, humored, and left wondering how things can disappear in front of their eyes while remembering what it is to persevere as a minority in their craft and to be a master among many. She brings joy and wonderment to an audience reveling in the nostalgia of their families and hometowns.
Regardless of how many cards miraculously change positions or how many objects disappear, Pages of Time provides the necessary reminder that with tenacity, courage, practice, and a little magic, we can all prevail against insurmountable adversity.
Lore more information and tickets visit: https://trustarts.org/production/78264/liberty-magic-paige-thompson-in-pages-of-time
Categories: Reviews
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