If you’re looking for something utterly unique in the heart of Old Hollywood, then Ivan Amodei’s ‘Intimate Illusions’ is a cut above the rest. With complete audience participation, custom music by cellist Irina Chirkova, and mind-boggling illusions that had us laughing and applauding on our feet, Ivan Amodei creates an experience unlike any other.

Located at the historic Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the show takes place in an intimate room at the top of an opulent curved staircase. With only 80 seats per performance, every guest has a great view of the stage (although unfortunately photography wasn’t allowed – so you’ll have to take my word for it!). Irina kicks the show off with a stunning cello piece, introducing Ivan onto the stage to rapturous applause. The cello is the only musical accompaniment throughout the show, providing both background music and sound effects for each joke, trick and illusion.

Of course I can’t describe every single illusion, but we witnessed him swallow pins and spit them at a globe, give out cards and guess which ones we were holding, and do a whole range of tricks that started simple but kept evolving until we quite literally couldn’t believe our eyes. Each illusion was accompanied by a fascinating tale of Ivan’s journey to this night, and how we were all meant to meet in this room and experience this magic together. The whole evening was as thought-provoking as it was entertaining!

Audience participation was a major part of the show, and thankfully everyone chosen to go up on stage was a great sport. Ivan was as much a comedian as a magician, and I imagine there are many difficulties associated with using audience members during a performance so most of the comedy was improvised – adding a personal touch that made the evening all the more enjoyable. Ivan does such a good job of keeping the audience captivated so completely that an hour and forty minutes flew by – and I still could have watched more!

Intimate Illusions is still described as an ‘underground’ show despite running for eight years, but I think that’s purposeful. Keeping it small means the guests get a better experience, and it stays true to its name; intimate. By the end of the evening I was acquainted with the people seated around me, and felt like I’d really got to know Ivan through his honest and candid performance; it felt like he actually wanted to be there entertaining us, this wasn’t simply a day job for him. I sincerely hope the show remains as friendly and relaxed as the one I experienced, but if in a few years I see Ivan Amodei headlining MGM Grand in Vegas I won’t be surprised!