DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?
After Seeing the “World’s Greatest Magic Show,” You Will
The illusionist known as Losander can make anything levitate—a flaming torch, a table, even a 300-pound man.
You might not have heard of Losander, but among magicians, he’s a legend, having sold tricks to David Copperfield, Siegfried & Roy and Hans Klok. “For me, a trick has to be very visual, very straight to the point,”
Losander told What’s On. “All of my effects are really clear and come as close to real magic as can be.”
Losander is among the seven to 10 magicians appearing in the “World’s Greatest Magic Show” at the Greek Isles. Another notable performer, Kevin James, was selected to appear on this summer’s top-rated TV show, “ America ’s Got Talent.”
The “World’s Greatest Magic Show” was conceived by veteran producer Dick Feeney in 2003. The idea was to have a lineup of magicians showcasing their specialties, such as card tricks, sleight-of-hand and, in Losander’s case, levitation, in 10-minute acts rather than having one magician fill an hour-long show. The result is a smooth, tight, magic-packed show with a side order of comedy.
“We give you every variation of magic possible,“ said Feeney, who also produces “The Rat Pack is Back” at the Greek Isles. Previously he served as producer for “La Cage,” “Crazy Girls” and “Viva Las Vegas.”
The tall, zoot suit-wearing comedic magician MC, Kozak, leads the audience through the 70-minute show. Some of the magicians are in the show for 12 weeks, and a recent lineup included bird tricks by punk rock-styled Dan Sperry and sleight-of-hand by Billy Ferguson. Roy Shank, a magician hailing from Japan , performs mindboggling illusions, making himself and others disappear and re-appear. Losander’s wife, Luna Shemada, is also a magician and has appeared in the show.
With his flowing hair and long, cape-like coat, Losander cuts a mystical figure onstage. In the first part of his act, Losander unwraps a pipe from a piece of cloth. He blows a bubble, then, well, magically makes the bubble follow his hand. In another illusion, he makes a red rose appear inside a bubble.
Born in Germany , Losander became fascinated with levitation as a child. He has appeared over all over the world and has been with the “World’s Greatest Magic Show” for two years.
The magician used to do a trick in which he made an audience member levitate. He usually picked a small person, and one night he chose a man who appeared to be the right size—until he stood up.
“He was about 300 pounds, “ Losander said. “It still worked, but I was concerned.”
Losander developed his signature illusion, the floating table, more than 10 years ago, and it’s considered a significant innovation in the world of magic. Hans Klok, a magician appearing at Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas , is one of the illusionists who has purchased “The Losander Floating Table” and incorporated it into his act.
“He has a lot of work to do on it,” Losander said, laughing. “When someone buys a trick, they’re usually not as good (at performing it) as the originator. The exception is David Copperfield—he said he’d only perform it if he’s 80% as good at it as I am.”
Seeing a table sail through the air leaves stunned viewers scratching their heads, including Feeney, the show’s producer.
“I still don’t know how Losander floats the table,” he said.
By Jen Lawson |
