Band of Magicians Program

FREE PROGRAM PROUDLY MADE POSSIBLE BY

A SOFT TREAD, JAMES GALEA AND BARBARA MEYER PRODUCTION

BAND OF MAGICIANS AUSTRALIA /USA | WORLD PREMIERE

BAND OF MAGICIANS A SOFT TREAD, JAMES GALEA AND BARBARA MEYER PRODUCTION

RIVERSIDE THEATRE 9–19 JANUARY 140MINS INCLUDING INTERVAL CREATED BY James Galea

PHOTOGRAPHER Cameron Rad

MAGIC BY Justin Flom James Galea Nate Staniforth Justin Willman

BAND OF MAGICIANS OFFICIAL SEAL DESIGN Carl Knox

DIRECTOR Craig Ilott SET DESIGNER Peter England LIGHTING DESIGNER Matthew Marshall SOUND DESIGNER Steve Francis LIVE VIDEO DIRECTOR Carolyn Constantine

ILLUSION DESIGN Tim Clothier Chris Murphy STYLIST Kristin Bjorge SPECIAL THANKS (MAGIC) Paul Daniels Dan White Chris Chelko Simon Taylor

MAGIC ASSISTANTS Blake Vogt Mark Mayer Charlie Mortimer

SPECIAL THANKS Chris Chelko Kyle Marlett Adam Yeend Cameron Rad Zoe Pinheiro Jillian Sipkins Simon Taylor Margo Peyton Mark Mayer Sandra Mayer Jocelyn Flom Daniel Galea Encore Cases

OPENING VIDEO DIRECTED BY Adam Scott-Franklin

facebook: bandofmagicians twitter: #bandofmagicians

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Marcus Kelson STAGE MANAGER Matthew Schubach MAGIC CONSULTANT Blake Vogt

CREATOR’S NOTE One year ago (almost to the day), I sent an email out to three great mates whose magic I’d respected for a long time, asking if they’d like to be a part of something that none of us would be able to accomplish alone. A magic show greater than the sum of its parts ... a band of sorts.

They all said yes.

Working with some of my closest friends has been thrilling and also brought with it some unique challenges.

If we weren’t as close as we are, it would never have worked. Fortunately, we all saw the value in going out on a rather large limb and it has resulted in only the best magic making its way to the stage tonight to create a show of which we’re truly proud.

There’s nothing like experiencing magic live in a theatre.

The first time I did so, 20 years ago, it began a life for me that seems like a tale from a movie. I could not be more excited that Band of Magicians is having its world premiere in my home town as part of Sydney Festival.

Magic is a difficult artform to bring to life at the best of times. Trying to create a show with four international performers all of whom have insanely busy touring schedules increased the degree of difficulty. We were committed to make it work under any circumstance.

I’m so thankful to be associated with such an incredibly talented cast, a dream artistic team and, a committed and professional crew.

Enjoy the show!

James Galea P.S. 12 years ago in this very theatre, during the worst show of my life at a convention for magicians, I died a very slow theatrical death and in the process nearly set the theatre on fire.

It’s nice to be back.

JUSTIN FLOM Justin Flom has been a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, been viewed five million times on YouTube and shared on hundreds of thousands of Facebook pages.

At just 26 years old, Flom regularly takes the stage at The World Famous Hollywood Magic Castle (US) and has performed throughout the world in 26 countries.

At 18, Justin headlined his own show in Branson, Missouri and later founded his own theatre called The Magic Parlor and Imaginary Theatre. Since leaving Branson, Justin got married, moved to Las Vegas and started creating original magic to share with millions on television and YouTube. In 2013, Justin was awarded the prestigious “Best Up and Coming Entertainer” at the Las Vegas Weekly Arts & Entertainment Awards. @justinflom

JAMES GALEA James Galea is Australia’s number one Magician.

Constant television appearances (including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, TODAY, Mornings with Kerri-Anne, Good Day LA, The Footy Show), his own series Urban Magic and his recent role starring in the Discovery Channel series Breaking Magic/Magic Of Science have seen James in constant demand in his home country and internationally both in the corporate arena and touring as a headliner world-wide (including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The World Famous Hollywood Magic Castle and The Melbourne International Comedy Festival). His signature magic trick “673 King Street” was featured in TV’s 50 Greatest Magic Tricks.

James is an award-winning magician, writer, songwriter, director and producer. He resides in both Los Angeles and Sydney. @jamesgalea

NATE STANIFORTH Host of Breaking Magic/Magic Of Science, Nate Staniforth has been touring the US since 2005, bringing his “unplugged” style of magic to over 40,000 people each year at clubs, colleges, universities and theatres across the country. Last year Nate’s US college tour brought in the Best Small Venue Performer award from Campus Activities Magazine and his 2013 tour is the subject of a weekly web series that follows Nate from city to city as he takes his show on the road.

In 2009, Nate travelled extensively through Southeast Asia and India to learn about the traditions of magic in those cultures: studying with shaman, witch doctors, street performers and anyone who could help him learn more about the traditional roots of his craft. These lessons, combined with his experiences on the road in America, led to his 2011 TED Talk titled Creating Astonishment that outlines his direct, no-frills approach to magic. @nate_staniforth

JUSTIN WILLMAN The LA Times calls magician/comedian/TV host Justin Willman, “a new breed of entertainer who’s making magic cool again for grown-ups.” From his monthly sell-out shows in the back of a trendy LA comic book shop to huge theatres and music venues across the country, Justin has become one of the busiest touring performers in America. His comedy flavoured miracles have earned him a devoted cult following as well as frequent television appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The TODAY Show, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Sweettoothed frosting fans will recognise Justin as the magical host of Cupcake Wars on the Food Network for the past nine seasons, but his greatest trick to date was receiving a standing ovation from President Obama following a private performance at the White House. Justin’s new show Win, Lose or Draw premieres this year on the Disney Channel and his recent TED Talk “Why am I a Magician” can be found on YouTube.

Justin currently resides in Los Angeles. @justin_willman CRAIG ILOTT Director

From left to right: James Galea, Justin Willman, Justin Flom, Nate Staniforth All photos: Cameron Rad

Craig Ilott is one of Australia’s most sought-after directors of cabaret, theatre and events. His hugely successful production Smoke & Mirrors (commissioned by Sydney Festival and Spiegeltent International) was a smash hit from Sydney to Edinburgh and continued the dynamic creative partnership with superstar cabaret artist iOTA, first established in the long-running season of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. His production of the now world-famous La Clique Royale was described by The Scotsman as “a magical experience that is still the greatest show on the Fringe.” Craig works regularly with many of Australia’s most interesting and dynamic artists, including Eddie Perfect and Trevor Ashley, and leading performing arts companies including the Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company and Belvoir St Theatre Company.

PETER ENGLAND Set Designer

STEVE FRANCIS Sound Design

Peter England is one of Australia’s most acclaimed set designers. His most recent focus has been the production design for Global Creatures’ astonishing King Kong, which earned Peter his fourth Helpmann Award.

He was previously honoured for his sets for Opera Australia’s Sweeney Todd, Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Unaipon and his work on the “Awakenings” section of the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Steve Francis has created sound designs and composed for Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, State Theatre of South Australia, Belvoir, Bell Shakespeare and Griffin Theatre Company. His dance work includes a number of scores for Bangarra Dance Theatre as well as The Australian Ballet.

Peter was Production Designer on three of Sydney’s world famous New Year’s Eve celebrations, including Millennium. His work has been seen internationally via a series of productions for the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington DC and more recently across the globe via his award-winning design for the Arena Spectacular Walking with Dinosaurs for Global Creatures and the BBC and How to Train Your Dragon for Global Creatures and DreamWorks Animation. See more of Peter’s work at productiondesignerpeterengland.com.au MATTHEW MARSHALL Lighting Design Matthew Marshall has lit everyone from the Dalai Lama and Jimmy Barnes to Human Nature and Australia’s Prime Minister. He is an award-winning designer and a long-time collaborator of both Craig Ilott – lighting Smoke and Mirrors and the productions by Eddie Perfect and Trevor Ashley – and James Galea – lighting Lying Cheating Bastard. He works consistently across cabaret, theatre, opera and contemporary dance, designing regularly for companies including Sydney Theatre Company, New Zealand Dance Company and Opera Queensland.

He has written music for numerous films and television shows and also composed sections of the Olympic and Rugby World Cup opening ceremonies.

Steve has won three Helpmann Awards and a Sydney Theatre Award.

CAROLYN CONSTANTINE Live Video Director Carolyn Constantine began her career in Sydney where she rapidly developed a reputation for having an original and unique eye.

Her reputation has been solidified with her notable work as Director of Photography on a number of films by emerging Australian directors such as Cate Shortland, Husein Alicajic and Carla Drago. She has equally made a mark on US projects such as the feature, Night Owls of Coventry (director Laura Paglin).

Carolyn also has numerous TV drama, commercial and documentary credits including a film about Brian Eno (on his last trip to Australia) and the highly acclaimed broadcast version of Craig Ilott’s Smoke & Mirrors at The Famous Spiegeltent.

She continues to pursue her cinematography and stills photography career both here and abroad.

What did you think of the show?

We’re looking to you to help us build a definitive shortlist of this year’s top Festival Picks to be published in the SMH. Upload your reviews & photos at smh.com.au/sydfest or share with us using #smhpickthis

FESTIVAL VILLAGE AT HYDE PARK

THE FESTIVAL VILLAGE IS AN OASIS OF EATS, BEATS AND OTHER TREATS. IT’S THE PERFECT PLACE TO KICK BACK IN THE AFTERNOON SUN OR KICK ON INTO THE BALMY SUMMER NIGHTS. SYDNEYFESTIVAL.ORG.AU/VILLAGE