In this unusual magic show, Halifax magician Vincenzo Ravina, as seen on the CW hit show Penn & Teller: Fool Us, will emerge from his mysterious smoke-filled cave to show you some strange stuff.
I’m aiming to surprise the audience and give them a fun, weird, unique experience.
We learn more in this Q&A with the magician.
Actual Wizard plays at the Bus Stop Theatre on September 1-11. Visit tickethalifax.com for tickets and information.
This interview has been edited.
Tell us about Actual Wizard. What can audiences expect?
Expect the unanticipated. I was going to use the word “unexpected,” but I thought you might expect me to use that word, so I switched it up.
Actual Wizard is an absurd magic show that involves concepts like potions, ghosts, astral projection, astrological signs, and burying stuff, among other things. I’m aiming to surprise the audience and give them a fun, weird, unique experience. But, of course, whether I’ve succeeded is up to the audience.
What was the inspiration for Actual Wizard?
I’m always taking inspiration from the things I love, like The Twilight Zone, Lost (the ending is good, actually), Twin Peaks, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Taskmaster, fairy tales, folklore, and urban legends. And I’m sure there’s more inspiration I forget. I just tried to write the kind of magic show I would like to see.
Why this particular show now?
Fringe comes but once a year, and for me, it’s the perfect opportunity to try new things, write new magic, and play with unusual concepts. I often perform at libraries, corporate events, dinner parties, wedding receptions, etc. Those shows are always fun, but I can’t be as weird or experimental as I can at Fringe. This particular show exists so that I can try out new things.
What do you hope audiences leave Actual Wizard talking about?
I hope audiences leave feeling bewildered but in a good way. I hope they leave the show talking about how much fun they had. I hope they leave the show filled with mystery. And I hope they leave with the strange compulsion to book me to perform at their next event.
Why should someone come to see Actual Wizard?
People rarely sit in mystery anymore. You can instantly Google the answer if you have a question about anything. If I do a good job with this magic show, I’m hoping you’ll be forced to sit in mystery for a while because it’s a great feeling and people rarely allow themselves to feel it.
Actual Wizard plays at the Bus Stop Theatre on September 3-11. Visit tickethalifax.com for tickets and information.
The Halifax Fringe Festival returns to live in-person performances from September 1 through September 11, with more than 55 productions taking place at venues across the downtown and North End neighbourhoods.