Cosentino bringing the impossible to Wonthaggi

Wonthaggi locals will have the rare opportunity to witness world-class magic on Wednesday, September 9, when award-winning Australian magician Cosentino visits The Union Theatre.

Cosentino spoke with the Sentinel-Times, and said the regional tour gives people an opportunity to experience a large-scale international production without having to travel to a major city, for an experience that includes grand illusions, close-up magic, death-defying escapes, mind-reading and comedy.

“We travel with everything, all the lighting, all the curtains, all the props and all the illusions, and we set it all up in one day and then do the show,” he said.

“It allows people to see something they never would get the opportunity to see unless they travel to the major capitals.”

Many might remember when Cosentino first rose to national prominence after finishing runner-up on ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ in 2011. He also later won ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in 2013 and appeared alongside martial arts legend Jackie Chan in the 2017 science-fiction action film ‘Bleeding Steel’.

His television specials have also been broadcast in more than 40 countries.

Despite having performed on some massive stages, Cosentino said regional theatres offered a unique connection that’s difficult to replicate in larger venues.

“I can hear all the audible gasps. I can see people’s faces,” he said.

“I absolutely love getting in there and getting amongst the audiences and bringing something unique and special to people.”

That connection between performer and audience is set to play a major role when his latest production, ‘TRICKED: An Evening of Wonder,’ comes to Wonthaggi, with audience members invited to come onstage to examine objects and become part of the magic.

Cosentino said the unpredictability of audience participation meant the performance would be a truly unique experience.

“The more you participate, the more fun you have and the better the show,” he said.

The performance will also sprinkle in some classics in the form of some of magic’s oldest routines, but with a twist. For example, instead of sawing someone horizontally into two pieces, Cosentino will divide them vertically into eight.

He believes witnessing live magic has only become more powerful in an era when extraordinary footage is often quickly dismissed as AI or some sort of digital trickery, like CGI.

Cosentino said even his own young nieces and nephews regularly called out online content as being AI, but were left stunned when they watched the production in person.

“You’ll see not a single kid for two hours in the audience on a device, they’re completely locked in, because to them, magical things are taking place,” he said.

“That’s a beautiful thing for a family to experience together.”

For those who might be attending their first live magic show, Cosentino’s advice was simple: “Expect the unexpected.”

‘TRICKED: An Evening of Wonder’ will begin at The Union Theatre at 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 9.

Tickets are available through Bass Coast Cultural Venues.