Metaverse of Magic presented by the Jones Theatre Group
Concert Hall, QPAC
4th-14th January, 2024.
Dr Gemma Regan
Metaverse of Magic is a marvellously fun interactive show that everyone can enjoy
Metaverse of Magic is unlike any magic show you have ever seen, interweaving illusions, close card magic and weaponry with a 21st century interactive gaming twist in an interactive magic spectacular.
All you need is your phone connected to the Metaverse WIFI via a simple QR code to compete with everyone in the audience and unlock four mysterious and enchanting levels of Wisdom, Legacy, Creativity and Courage.
The ingenuity of collaborators Siobhan Ginty, Del Wynegar, and Suzanne Jones of Jones Theatrical Group, with CEO Simone Clow, ZEBRAR Head of Production, have created a magical digital land for all to enter and explore wrapped up with magical illusions.
Gamer Lenoxx, played by the effervescent Ash Hodgkinson, invites you to join him on his quest with the computer-generated wizard DIGI (Erin Bruce) as a guide. Each magical challenge has a magician ready to astound the audience with their unique talents. Charli Ashby, Taiwanese Horret Wu, and HARA from Japan deliver magical tricks and illusions, whilst Sabine Van Diemen terrifies the audience with her fiendish whip and crossbow skills.
The stage has various sets hailing from old fashioned magic of the 1920s to ultra-modern mirrors and lasers. An invisible screen also has projected lasers for a wicked 3D effect.
Jarred Fell is the cheeky Kiwi compere who ties the whole show together, acting as the ringmaster of illusions and involving the audience at every stage. He is witty and charming, but you have to watch your back as he is a real Oliver Twist, pickpocketing from a naiive audience.
The winners of each stage are displayed on the large screens surrounding the concert hall while everyone competes to be the fastest puzzle solver. It is a show designed to entertain all ages, although some youngsters seemed disturbed by the sawing-in-half illusion.
If that wasn’t enough audience participation, Jester Jarred invites volunteers onto the stage at several points of the show to help with the magical illusions, providing plenty of family rated comedy.
The challenges cleverly resolve to save the Universe and Lenoxx from digital destruction. There is even some time travel and ingenious magic, so all eyes must be peeled to notice.
Metaverse of Magic is a marvellously fun interactive show that everyone can enjoy, participate in and wonder together how did they do that!