- OTHER MEDIA
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- "Obscura": Christian Cagigal's strange little magic show
By Benjamin Wachs July 28, 2010
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- Both theater arts and the art of magic involve suspension of disbelief,
but in different ways. We go to the theater to find truth while actors
pretend to be people they're not; we go to a magic show to be fooled by
real people pretending to do things that defy the laws of physics. When
the two find common ground, it can work very well. Obscura is the third
collaboration between magician Christian Cagigal and Exit Theatre to produce
"strange little magic shows" — and it's turning into a sly
San Francisco tradition. A one-man show in an intimate cafe, Obscura presents
a collection of mildly creepy campfire tales and illustrates them through
sleight of hand. The stories and tricks aren't all equally strong, but
Cagigal is a charismatic storyteller and the show is nimble under his care.
The set is surprisingly evocative for such a minimalist venue, and the
use of a music box to segue between stories is inspired. It's not profound,
it's not hilarious — but Obscura makes for a diverting evening.
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- COMMENT POSTED ONLINE:
- Marc Nagel 07/28/2010 8:01:04 AM
I think this reviewer missed the point, if not the concept of this performer's
show. With the blending of story and magic, he amplifies both, the magic
supports and enhances the story, the story uplifts the magic. It is a double
suspension of disbelief, and from the audience's oohs and ahhs and laughter
and silence, he hits may a chord and heartstrings during the evening. This
is innovate for either genre and worth the trip
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