I was particularly impressed by two of the illusions featured in the Mind Freak show. I expect that only my brothers and sisters in the dark deceptive arts will appreciate just how impressive these illusions were. The rest of you 'muggles' will just have to take it on trust - these are seriously impressive magical achievements.

Highlight #1 was the suspension of a non-stooge girl chosen from the audience, on the fully-lit and surrounded stage. All of the necessary 'magic' to achieve this miracle was carried out right in front of the live audience, via carefully planned choreography and split-second timing, without cover or blackout. I was sitting right next to the stage, and knew what to look for, and still couldn't see anything except the perfectly crafted illusion of a human being floating in mid-air.

Highlight #2 was Houdini's 'Metamorphosis' illusion, also known as the Sub-Trunk. This was presented in a fairly traditional fashion with one stunning innovation: there was no physical cover at the moment of metamorphosis. No hoop of cloth, no curtain, no nuthin'. Just a single  split-second blast of dry ice on all sides at the crucial moment. Call me easily impressed, but I found this brave, exciting and very magical indeed.