Magic and illusion shows are a rare treat now days, but luckily for everyone who still loves to be mystified by the magical sleight-of-hand, we have Jason Bishop.
The SAC hosts a 9:09 event somewhere around every month, and this time we got a great treat. Sometimes magicians and illusionists do a lot of similar tricks, and anyone not familiar with Jason Bishop might have thought he was in the same strain. But if that spark of curiosity struck you in the stomach and you decided to check it out, you were not disappointed.
Bishop started the show off with a bang, and by bang I mean manifesting a bowling ball out of thin air and letting it hit the stage. He kept the amazement and laughs coming throughout the entire show with big illusions, such as cramming the beautiful Kim Hess, his assistant, into a box and jamming swords into it.
Some smaller illusions included making a bird appear in his hand and making a wristwatch go from one side of the stage to the other without anyone seeing it.
He also did what many call “Street Magic,” where he did small, yet no less amazing, illusions. He had a girl from the audience bring her iPhone onstage and had it magically appear inside of a balloon. Bishop also made a Rubik’s Cube solve itself by tossing it into the air. It happened so quickly I cannot begin to explain it.
I was lucky enough to be picked to go on stage and help with one of the big illusions. I and two other people padlocked Bishop inside a wooden box, in which he was also tied up in a sack, and watched as his assistant swapped places with him using only a sheet. It was very strange, being that close to the stage, seeing the illusion up close and still having no idea how it was done.
Bishop has been a professional magician for ten years. He said his favorite part about performing is setting up a joke or an illusion and seeing the audience’s reaction.
He also appreciates everyone for coming to the show and the big standing ovation he and Kim received. I proudly stood with the crowd and gave them applause.
His show showed me that magic can still bewilder and entertain you for hours; I’m still trying to figure out some of it! My writing can’t do his show justice, so if you want to see Jason Bishop and his amazing talents go to his website at www.TheJasonBishopShow.com.
