Theatre Review - Beyond Possible...Live

Beyond Possible...Live

Created and performed by Jackson Aces

Sydney Opera House Playhouse until August 3

Reviewed by Ron Lee, CSP, MAICD

Magician Jackson Aces has returned to the Sydney Opera House with his show, Beyond Possible…Live.

Jackson, who is the son of former St George, NSW and Australian Rugby League player, Pat Jarvis, has had a fascination, obsession and passion for magic since he was a young boy, and it shows. His enthusiasm is infectious. It helped him through some difficult times.

Now, I love magic but loathe card tricks. Card magicians usually wear a silly, knowing grin followed by, "Is this your card?" They also adopt the irritating attitude of, "Aren't I clever?" 

Jackson does neither, and his dexterity with the decks is sublime. The cards dance in this hands. 

His interactions make the audience members the stars. On opening night, the adults absolutely loved him and the children went nuts. Jackson is a big, solid unit yet he performs with humility and vulnerability and ties every part together with short, thoroughly engaging stories about his life. His sincerity and care for others is obvious.

Being a fan of magic, I've seen a multitude of the world’s most famous magicians, and Jackson's approach and stage presence is refreshing and endearing. He’s really likeable.

He performs my favourite form of magic, mentalism, with impressive skill. One bit involves the participation of every audience member. It’s also in the Penn & Teller repertoire. The difference was that when they performed it, it didn’t work with me, but Jackson’s did.

One of his larger stage illusions is making two beautiful women materialise in a clear, onstage box, and I couldn’t help but like the effect that involves a lovely assistant and nine long metal spikes that are on fire. 

Even though Jackson is skilled at milking applause, there is no, “TA-DAA!!”

An unexpected benefit of Beyond Possible is that the show is motivational and inspirational. Children and adults are likely to leave the theatre with new or renewed feelings of self-belief.

I highly recommend this show, as long as you don’t mind some voluntary audience involvement and sitting there continually thinking, “How did he do THAT?!”