Vitaly Beckman, Sensation of Magic

Vancouver East Cultural Centre, 1895 Venables.

Tuesday, Dec. 7-Saturday, Dec. 11, 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m.

At the Cultch box office, from 604-251-1363 and online at thecultch.com

Info: sensationofmagic.com

VANCOUVER — Vitaly Beckman doesn’t just pull furry rabbits out of top hats. Magic is an art for the Vancouver-based illusionist, and his brand of tricks are more akin to experiencing The Nutcracker than something you’d see at a five-year-old’s birthday party.

“It’s the art of illusion in a theatrical context,” Beckman, the Sensation Of Magic, says of his shows that can be considered a performing art like dance, music and drama. “Some of my tricks tend to be more artistic, some tend to be more fun and entertaining, and some have a message behind them. The idea behind the show is to deliver the message that dreams can come true, and that something that looks impossible really isn’t impossible.”

While most magic tricks and illusions are pigeonholed as pure hocus pocus, consisting of scantily clad women being cut in half and men wearing funny velvet robes, Beckman stresses the symbolism, emotional communication and intellectual stimulation that emerge from his shows.

Born in Belarus, Beckman moved to Israel when he was eight. At age 15, he developed a passion for the performing arts and became enamored by local Israeli illusionists.

His two loves quickly melted into one.

Although he earned a fruitful career in mechanical engineering, he couldn’t resist his desire to perform. Beckman moved to Vancouver in 2008 and now works full time combining art and magic into a unique brand of entertainment that falls somewhere between Shakespeare and Criss Angel.

“At first I wasn’t really interested to get into [magic]. I just wanted to know how it works and how it’s done,” Beckman says. “I started to watch magic on television, and when I watched I was inspired. I realized magic doesn’t need to be performed as a trick but rather it can be elevated to an entertaining show or even an art form.”

Beckman says his magic has evolved into a performance that hinges on “making people dream, talking to their imagination and creating the feeling of wonder.” He cites Siegfried and Roy, David Copperfield and Lance Burton as inspirations, but never forgets to pay homage to the actors, singers and comedians who first drew him to the stage.

“The only thing that can create a sense of wonder is a human being,” he says. “A performance.

“The combination of coming up with something unique, something of my own and then performing it for an audience, it gives great satisfaction. It’s like bringing something to life. When I come up with something it has no meaning unless I perform it for an audience. When I perform it for an audience, during those moments, it becomes alive, especially if it’s something that makes people feel good. Making the impossible, possible, which is magic.”

Some of Beckman’s tricks include making drawings — like a rose on paper — come to life. He can also levitate objects, make paintbrushes paint by themselves, read books from 50 feet, and make people disappear and reappear in photographs.

Each concept and illusion is original, and together they all serve a larger purpose. Beckman’s goals are to inspire people to go after their dreams and to do what they want to do. Anything is possible and he guarantees that audiences can expect both an inspiring and entertaining show.

“A lot of the audience will take part and experience the magic. The show doesn’t only take place on stage; it takes place in the whole theatre. There will be a lot of wonder and a lot of fun. If people see something impossible become possible, they can think ‘Hey maybe I can do more.’ ”

Special to the Sun

Title as printed: ( Printed on December 7, 2010.)

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