fosters creativity and spontaneity , making each performance unique and exciting .
" It ' s the cast of misfits that make up this little punk rock magic show . This show is ' the little engine that could .' People come expecting a typical magic show and are surprised by the comedy and the high level of magic . It ' s authentically us five weirdos having the most fun onstage ."
At the time of writing , " Late Night Magic " is celebrating its one-year anniversary at The Orleans Hotel and Casino . This milestone is a testament to the show ' s success and the strong bond among its cast and crew . Over the past year , they have captivated audiences with their unique blend of humour and high-calibre illusions , creating an exhilarating experience that stands out in the Las Vegas magic scene . The anniversary celebration highlights not just their achievements but also the dedicated fans who have supported them along the way .
Support from Industry Peers : The Rise of Hollie England in Vegas
" The support from my fellow cast members is incredible . While we experience a similar camaraderie in all our shows , ' Late Night Magic ' offers us a special kind of freedom to play , experiment , and collaborate . It feels like it ' s truly OUR show now . It ' s the little engine that could – a unique , misfit , punk magic show where literally anything can happen ! Performing at The Orleans has allowed us to entertain numerous magicians during Magic Live , which could have gone either way but ended up with an amazingly supportive response . We thrive on exceeding everyone ' s expectations !"
" Even David Copperfield loves the show and has seen it multiple times – the last time , he brought ' F * ck ' counters for himself , Homer Liwag , and Chris Kenner . This little show has helped me tick off so many bucket list items ! It ' s still surreal to see my face on billboards and the tops of taxis all over Vegas .
This experience has also taught me that sometimes the smallest crowds can be the most rewarding and mightier than the stadiums . We have superfans who attend nearly every show , bringing different friends each time and even gifting us baked goods !
No matter the number of shows , the billboards , or the money , my ultimate goal is to stay creative , stay weird , and stay true to myself . I ' m striving to do things like no one else . As Marilyn Manson once said , ' The key is to change what is popular . That ' s why rather than submit to the mainstream , you have to become it – then overcome it .'"
How does the collaboration between the cast of Late Night Magic contribute to the show ' s success ? Are there any memorable moments that you ' d like to share ?
" It is a product of collaboration and it ' s important to note that we were all friends before we started doing it . We all respect what each other brings to the show .
Whenever we put something new in the show , whether it ' s me adding a whole new act or Bizzaro adding a new method for multi-ball appearance , we ask for each other ' s opinions and ideas . We ' re all creatives and understand each other ' s characters . Most of the props in the show ( and many magic acts in Vegas ) were made by Bizz !"
" Although we don ' t perform any magic effects altogether like ' Champions ', we still appear in each other ' s acts . The others appear in comedy skits or comedic moments . I perform an illusion with John Shaw ( I have no problem taking on the traditional ' assistant ' role sometimes- once a box-jumper …), but I also make a small appearance in The Shocker ' s act . Originally , it was a moment when I was covering Lefty ( as he was going to be out of the show the following night ), and I would wear the referee shirt and do the wrestling countdown . I joked that it would be funny to very quickly flash my butt at the end ( like total misdirection ) and it ' s now a permanent part of the show . Lefty now only gets to be the referee when I ' m out of town !"
" We also each have something to contribute offstage . Lefty is the producer and does all the graphics , Bizz helps with video content and the website , Shocker and John Shaw sell tickets from their daytime gigs ( including The Haunted Museum where John also performs ) and I help with social media ."
Defying Stereotypes in Las Vegas
Las Vegas , known for its glitzy and glamorous performances , often emphasizes the " sexy " magician archetype . However , Hollie has carved out a unique niche by staying true to her quirky , alternative persona . Drawing inspiration from characters like Wednesday Addams and Lydia from Beetlejuice , she blends elements of sexy and sassy into her acts without letting Vegas define her .
" I love that the variety of adult-only and family shows I perform in have allowed me to explore all the versions of myself ," she explains . " Right now , I feel like there ' s this ' thing ' about female magicians being the ' sexy ' ones . In Vegas , sex sells and there are not many shows where the girls are not half-naked , or even fully naked ."
" Vegas has a vibe and reputation . From performing arts college to when I used to perform in musicals , I ' ve always been ' the weird , quirky , geeky sidekick '. Yes , I can add a little sexy and sassy to the mix but that ' s not the be all and end all of my character ."
" In Vegas , more than anywhere , sex sells . Most casting notices for dancers are for topless or burlesque shows and many end up also dancing in the strip clubs as they often pay more money . In ' Late Night Magic ', ' sexy ' is the role I was cast in , but even in college , I was always told I was the ' quirky ' one . When I got cast in musicals , I was often the geeky sidekick or the slightly offbeat lead . Whereas , as a dancer , I often had to wear a leotard or tutu or string bikini and feathers as the ' sexy ' showgirl or a
30 AUGUST | 2024