On Sept. 24, I finally made it out to see The Illusionist. This magic show has been running since 2022, so it was about time.
Or maybe the timing was perfect. As artificial intelligence now permeates almost every aspect of our lives, creating synthetic images in a second, it’s actually astonishing to witness real fakes.
The Illusionist is a live performance with Kevin Blake as its sole star. It’s held at the Palace Theater, a subterranean space tucked inside a speakeasy called Joe’s Clock Shop. The venue is styled with 1920s decor. I watched as the entering guests took in the charm in and — for the most part — put their phones away.
The 30-something Blake, clad in a sharp suit and tie, does throwback entertainment the right way. He’s neither flashy nor cheesy. Although the performance leans into the classics, none of the tricks seem dated. If you’re expecting Vegas-style pizzazz, however, forget it. A few props, and he’s good to go.
Blake showcased ultra-smooth sleight-of-hand tricks and classic card routines (“Pick a card, any card!”), both of which were expertly executed. But it was his “psychic” ability, called mentalism, that was the standout. How he knew what people wrote on cards in sealed envelopes — or even what they were thinking and other unguessable details about their personal lives — was a mystery.
The 30-something Blake, clad in a sharp suit and tie, does throwback entertainment the right way.
One of his tricks, he said, is over a century old. He seemed to take as much pleasure in it still being a head-scratcher as the audience did.
Watching Blake do his thing was a pleasure. He bantered, told jokes (nothing off-color, darlings — there were children present), and worked the crowd gracefully. After approximately 400 performances, such ease is unsurprising.
What was surprising? The performance I attended initially had a few lighting issues. Blake was forced to stop the show and dash backstage to fix the problem. I assumed this was part of the act, but he assured me later that it wasn’t.
Showbiz, man. I couldn’t be that cool under pressure.
Despite the initial glitch, the show soon got going. I had settled into one of the cozy booths at the back, but the tables up front were far more interactive. Do sit up close if you want to be part of the performance.
Augmenting the experience is the full bar that offers more than the basics. There are smoky cocktails, color-shifting elixirs, and drinks that arrive flaming. While cleverly themed, be warned: the prices match the spectacle. A cocktail flight runs around $40. A 20 percent tip is automatically included on all drinks, with the option to add a higher percentage.
It was a warm night, so I kept it simple with a crisp white wine. If you’re a bargain hunter like me, you’ll appreciate the preperformance happy hour special, which knocks a few bucks off each beverage.
Before the lights dimmed and during the intermission, I looked around at the audience. It was an almost full house. There were plenty of kids and teens, locals on dates, small and large groups, senior citizens, and scores of international tourists. Capturing the attention of such a diverse crowd can’t be easy, but somehow it was achieved.
I caught up with Blake after the performance. He was shaking hands and taking photos with effusive audience members.
How can such a low-tech show in the AI era still have the power to astonish?
“We’re desensitized to the magic of technology,” said Blake. “It is magic. It’s insane. But it leaves us in a place where we crave the physical, the human. [The Illusionist] is a transportive experience. You’ll see things you can’t explain.”
I asked if he believes it’s important for people to see live performances. He nodded.
“People are craving something to do.… You sit there, your phone is off, you’re engaged. That engagement allows you to reach a level of enjoyment you’re not accustomed to.” And the city isn’t dead, he emphasized. It never was, and it’s now livelier than it has been in years.
As I left the Palace Theater, there was indeed a vibrancy to Broadway Street on that Tuesday night around 9 p.m. China Live, just next door, was still full of diners. Mobs of people were milling about on the sidewalk, and I couldn’t tell who was heading in for the night and who was just starting out.
San Francisco felt … magical.
The Illusionist: The Palace Theater, 644 Broadway Street, San Francisco. Matinees and evenings shows. Performance lasts 90 minutes, with two 45-minute acts and a brief intermission. Tickets from $59.
