#FIRSTLOOK: JAMIE ALLAN’S “ILLUSIONARIUM” TORONTO

One-part history of magic and illusions, one-part interactive escape, Jamie Allan’s Illusionarium finally launches at One Yonge Street July 29, 2021 in the Toronto Star Building! Trust me, this has been a labour of love as it initially was to open its doors around the Holidays so we were extra-excited finally to enjoy it after a patient wait.

The wait has been a blessing however, as its producers (Lighthouse Immersive, Showone Productions and Starvox Exhibits) who also brought us the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit taking place also in the same building, really pondered how to pivot to adapt ensuring safe social distancing measures within its generous 300,000 cubic foot space. And they succeeded creating an experience that feels safe, yet intimate.

While originally there were to be four rooms only, a secret fifth room also has been added to the experience, developed during Ontario’s lockdown. You won’t believe your eyes what happens in here! We were literally on the edge of our seat – six feet+ away from others, of course.

You get four experiential rooms: PALAIS ROYALE, THE EGYTPTIAN HALL, ON-AIR STUDIOS, and EVO-LUSION HALL, plus the aforementioned top-secret room ….if you’re lucky. Each room takes you through a different era and as you are dazzled by magicians, life sized holograms, 3D projections and lasers. World-famous legends Penn & Teller even greet you in the On-Air Studios room in an interactive magic trick!

There are even a few shocks and thrills thrown-in as we witness how death-defying magic and illusions can be!

Allan speaks to guests at the end of the experience, driven to restore that sense of wonder we all possessed once in our youth. “An even more difficult problem to overcome is Technology. Secrets are becoming more accessible on the Internet every day, TV can be paused and scrutinized frame by frame as Technology advances further and further every day in our lives.”. But yet as Creator, Allan has fused magic with Technology to create this experience with musician Tommy Bond, embracing this combination to bring innovation and mystique to a new generation like greats before him, Houdini and Devant.

Check out a Gallery of fun!

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Some Video highlights.

Also, to celebrate the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit, a 91-foot hot air balloon of Van Gogh was on display at Queen’s Quay x Yonge Street. While there were some delays launching it due to wind conditions at the Harbourfront, we were able to witness it up-close and it is remarkable! There will be more opportunities to see it July 31 and August 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., dependent on weather. The Exhibit has struck a chord with A-Listers like Lily Collins, Madonna and George Lucas in other cities like New York and Chicago!

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Get your tickets and learn more here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)