AMAZE presents a narrative-driven magic performance that fuses cutting-edge technology with classic conjuring methods, inviting the audience into the magical experience. Directed by Jonathan Goodwin and Co-Created by Tommy Bond, with Creative Consultant Harry De Cruz, Jamie Allan explains that AMAZE tells the story of a child aspiring to be a magician. He expresses his fulfillment in witnessing the deep connection between the magic and his authentic story resonate with viewers.
Internationally recognized as an inventive and revolutionary high-tech magician, Allan has earned millions in ticket sales globally and has broken numerous box office records. He debuted his unique style of iMagic on ITV’s This Morning as a teenager in 1995, mesmerizing audiences with his fresh perspective. Since then, Jamie has consistently expanded the limits of modern illusions, incorporating holograms, laser beams, 3D video mapping, and interactive social media to engage and astonish onlookers. A leader in the theatrical realm of technical magic, Jamie has performed his acclaimed iPad illusion “Digital Art” on The One Show, reaching millions of viewers live, and has showcased his work on platforms such as ‘Grand Cabaret Du Monde’, BBC Breakfast, and Penn and Teller: Fool Us. His performances represent a remarkable blend of magic and advanced technology.
The show features Natalia Love, a Featured Artist who began her career as a dancer at high-profile events, including the Nobel Peace Prize Awards. After mastering various theatrical skills, she transitioned into the world of magic by joining Chicks ’n’ Tricks, the first female magician supergroup. Natalia is a member of the London Magic Circle and is currently running her theatre show, ‘Ventrickolis’, which premiered in the USA in 2023. As the title implies, her show highlights her ventriloquism talents. She has toured with Allan throughout the UK and North America and has appeared alongside him on television programs like ITV’s Next Great Magician and Michael McIntyre’s Big Show as Allan’s primary assistant.
Exclusive Q&A With Jamie Allan
1. What inspired you to become a magician?
For many, it starts with a magic set. However, my true inspiration came after an unexpected visit with my mother to an antique store containing the entire belongings of a magician. It felt like stepping into a treasure trove of mystery and history, igniting a spark within me. Many elements of my show, AMAZE, draw from that pivotal moment and the amazing coincidences that followed. It felt as though magic had chosen me then.
2. What was the first magic trick you learned?
The initial trick I learned was a basic coin trick my father taught me, which felt like unlocking a door to a realm where anything could happen. The sense of wonder I experienced stays with me, and I strive to evoke that same feeling in every performance.
3. When did you perform your first magic show?
I gave my first performance at eight, on a small stage that my parents constructed in an old pub they had transformed into a cabaret venue. It was a humble beginning, but from that point forward, I was captivated.
4. What is your favorite magic act and why?
Harry Blackstone’s floating lightbulb is my all-time favorite act, particularly the moment when it drifted off the stage and floated over the audience. It was pure amazement back then; these days, some might think it’s a drone, but I assure you, it was not! The sense of wonder transcended technology in a way that continues to intrigue me.
5. Which magician do you most admire and why?
I have immense respect for Penn & Teller due to their extraordinary originality and the grand scale of their creations. Their theatrical presentation and the considerable thought behind each performance are impressive.
6. What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be a magician?
Read books! All the greatest secrets are tucked away within them. Magicians often claim that the best way to conceal a secret is in a book since fewer people actually take the time to explore those pages. By immersing yourself in literature, you’ll uncover brilliant ideas that have been waiting patiently for decades.
7. What are your future ambitions in the field of magic?
My main ambition was to perform in the West End and on Broadway. We’re halfway there with the West End, and it’s genuinely a dream realized. The next goal is Broadway, and beyond that, anything is possible. I simply wish to continue redefining the boundaries of what magic can entail.
Jamie Allan’s AMAZE Criterion Theatre 218-223 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HR
From: Friday 18 October – Saturday 23 November
Performances: Tuesday– Saturday at 7.30pm. Matinees Saturday and Sunday at 3pm
Tickets: from £25
Running time: 2 hours (including interval)
Box office: criterion-theatre.co.uk
Website: amazemagic.com
Image Source: Amazelive @ Instagram
