Review of CHANGE Garrick Theatre, a Variety Show

Great Quick-change Illusionist Arturo Brachetti – Stunning Magic!

Nov 3, 2009

Seeing is believing! Be bedazzled by the brilliant Brachetti as he brings a hundred characters to the stage changing in the blink of an eyelid.

If there is one variety show that must not be missed in London's west-end surely it is Arturo Brachetti – CHANGE at the Garrick Theatre. Its perfect family entertainment and will be running through the Christmas period.

Change London's Most Exciting Show

Arturo Brachetti the virtuoso illusionist and quick-change artist gives theatre-goers a phenominal entertainment experience that makes most shows look dull in comparison. It is an unforgettable adventure of the heart and mind.

The Incredibly Funny Arturo Brachetti

The life story of Brachetti seen through a mystifying sequence of transformations is both incredibly funny and equally moving. He impersonates dozens of celebrity icons from Johnny Rotten to her Majesty the Queen to Hollywood's Bogart, Bergman and Gene Kelly (singing in the rain).

This amazing illusionist creates a kaleidoscope of more that a hundred characters bemusing with breathtaking skill a gasping audience.This Multi Magic Man Dazzles with such a seemingly endless change of personalities at supersonic speed that the audiences shout out a collective "how does he do it! "

The Great Brachetti a Grand Illusionist

Brachetti's seemless transformations are part of a bigger picture embedded in a theatrical performance that is both entertaining and philosophical. Its a whirlwind of a wizard's wondrous career. Brachetti known as the man with a thousand faces is a phenomenon and probably one of the most consummate performers in the world. Illusionist , comedian, conjuror, dancer, poet, philosopher and actor he has rekindled the lost art of quick-change practised in Italy since the sixteenth century almost single-handedly; a modern day Merlin weaving a spell that enchants his wide-eyed audience.

Brachetti's Quick-change is Breathtaking

His shadow play is worth the money for the ticket alone. On a large white screen lit by a single projector Arturo's agile hands and fingers rapidly contort In a tic and a tock making shadow pictures of munching rabbits, pecking swans, braying donkeys , barking dogs (with sound effects) and a procession of animals straight out of the ark. Phew! What fun, and barely half an hour into the first act!

More remarkable wizardry to follow. Both the young and the elderly Brachetti appear miraculously together dancing, prancing and bursting through a centre screen they chase each other with astonishing speed. No mirror shots here just the pure magic of stagecraft. Encore "How does he do it!! " shrieks the audience.

Some of the credit must go to Sean Folley writer and director of Change who is to be congratulated for his own inventions in this extraordinary evening. Arturro pays homage to the Commedia dell'Arte and cabaret, wearing a miriad of colourful costumes by designer Francois Barbeau which constantly light up the stage. As for the final transformation? Book the show and see how he does it.

Arturro Brachetti – CHANGE is at the Garrick Theatre Charing Cross, London, WC2 OHH from October 19th to January 3rd 2010. Ticket prices are from £10 with plenty of offers on best seats.

The copyright of the article Review of CHANGE Garrick Theatre, a Variety Show in Performance Art is owned by Nina Saville. Permission to republish Review of CHANGE Garrick Theatre, a Variety Show in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.