Matthew the Magician Enthralls Again!

Sunday performance added! Saturday, July 5 AND Sunday, July 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sea View Theater

— by Margie Doyle —

At his last Orcas appearance in December, Magician Matthew Laslo had to turn away over 80 people.

So don’t miss his upcoming Magic Show on Saturday, July 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sea View Theatre. Popcorn and treats will be available and and  a special, (day-late) 4th of July BBQ starts at 6 p.m.

Tickets are an old fashioned $5 for youth and $10 for adults; on sale now at Smith & Speed in Eastsound and on line by clicking here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/720610

Along with Matthew, Maria Bullock, Madi Jane West and Virginia Sides will perform with silks and hoops aerial acrobatics.

There will be “returning elements, and lots of new illusions and fun surprises and a brand new opening”, Matthew says with a characteristic grin and significantly-raised eyebrow. Without giving away too much, suffice it to say that his show will involve making a large live animal appear — but don’t think of elephants!

He’s only 13, but Matthew Laslo has been doing magic his way for years. A Funhouse Science Fair award-winner at the age of 7, Matthew became entranced with magic when his grandfather gave him a Magic Set. From there he learned from You-Tube, DVDs and books — and hours of practice alone in his room. Matthew is home-schooled and shines in drama and music too, but he says “Magic is the coolest — I love it!”

He certainly surprised his audience — and himself — at his December performance when his “tear-away” pants caught on an attached microphone and he was left stripped down to his underwear. “I looked down and thought, ‘That’s not right!’ says Matthew. Even though his expression revealed his surprise, many in the audience thought it was planned. “So I just rolled with it, and it was a big applause moment.”

The show at the Sea View on July 5 begins a summer of magic touring for Matthew. He has possible show dates lined up on Lopez and San Juan Islands. In the fall, an old-time magic show, Shazzam, is going on the road, and Matthew has been offered the opening slot. The show has many vintage illusions, magic stage equipment, and animals galore — two ponies, three macaws, “tons of doves and rabbits, chickens — anything you can imagine! It’s funny as well as amazing!”

Last summer, Matthew won top honors at his first competition with pros from the Las Vegas show circuit at a Magicians’ Festival in Newburg, Ore.

Matthew Laslo at the Orcas Has Talent competition, January 2012

The festival took place on a large property with all sorts of animals and a full-sized theater in a barn. He and his mom Donna Laslo were planning to rent a 19-foot RV and camp on the grounds, but all that was available was a 35-foot model. “It was quite an adventure,” Donna says mildly.

Johnny Thompson, coach to magic acts such as  Penn and Teller, Lana Burton,  and David Blaine, is also on the boards to work with Matthew, possibly this summer.

Master Magician Stan Kramien has predicted Matthew could be headlining in Las Vegas in 5-6 years. “That’s my dream, my ultimate goal,” said Matthew.

Essential to his training, and developing his own unique style, is the availability of the SeaView Theatre to stage and rehearse his show. Before showtime there are weeks of rehearsal and storing his illusions. “It’s wonderful to have a theater to rehears in and put up a show that doesn’t cost a fortune. We’re passing that on to ticket purchasers with the low $5-$10 ticket prices.”

The goal was for it to be affordable for everyone, lower ticket prices for a fun family entertainment, that is “much needed” in the summer on Orcas.

Matthew is “beyond excited”  about doing his show again on Orcas. Many who attended the show in December will be lining up to see his amazing feats again. One night only — don’t miss it!