Now You See Me Live – A Thrilling Night of Sleight, Spectacle and Pure Misdirection at QPAC. Brisbane’s Concert Hall erupted with excitement on opening night as Now You See Me Live brought the world-famous magic franchise to the stage, fronted by an exceptional ensemble of international illusionists: Adam Trent, Pablo Cánovas, Andrew Basso, and Gabriella Lester. Together, they delivered a slick, high-energy night of stunts, humour, and jaw-dropping wizardry that kept the audience on edge from start to finish.
The show showcased an explosive escape that felt straight out of the films. Gabriella Lester was locked inside a danger-rigged box with a visible 40-second countdown before the structure appeared to detonate—only for her to reappear moments later high on the Concert Hall box balcony, drawing instant cheers. Her poise, showmanship, and dramatic timing made the escape even more electrifying, perfectly setting the tone for the night’s high-octane pace.
Spanish magician Pablo Cánovas made his mark early with an impossible teleportation stunt: seated casually in a chair one moment, he instantaneously appeared in another chair across the stage the next. The seamless execution and polished theatricality earned one of the night’s first big gasps.
Italy’s master escape artist Andrew Basso followed with a routine packed with tension and comedy, involving handcuffs, a live scorpion held between his teeth, and a brave audience volunteer who, in her frantic attempt to help, accidentally slapped him—sending the audience into hysterics. Basso later escalated to a daring Houdini water torture chamber escape that left the room collectively holding its breath.
American favourite Adam Trent brought his signature blend of charm, technology, and misdirection, stealing an audience member Roy’s phone—only for it to reappear sealed inside a rockmelon, zipped in a bag, still showing the same lock screen. It was one of the night’s biggest crowd-pleasers and a testament to Trent’s razor-sharp showmanship.
Gabriella Lester and Adam Trent continued to shine with their crisp, elegant close-up card work, performing a beautifully executed routine with audience members, projected onto the big screen so the entire hall could marvel at their finesse and precision.
Magic was woven into the entire experience. Audience members received four playing cards upon entering the hall, which later became part of a large-scale interactive illusion that somehow led everyone to the same impossible result—eliciting laughter, disbelief, and delighted applause.
A teleportation sequence involving three audience members’ personal items stunned the crowd as the objects vanished onstage and reappeared sealed inside a box behind the audience. Another playful routine placed four volunteers inside a box, followed by a cheeky “explanation” video offering fake theories—camera tricks, mirrors, twins—before the true reveal generated another wave of astonished applause.
The finale brought all four magicians together for a cleverly constructed mass prediction. After a series of seemingly random choices, the final number—10,926,937—perfectly matched a sealed prediction displayed from the very beginning, earning a final, thunderous ovation.
Now You See Me Live delivers exactly what fans of the franchise hope for: high-stakes spectacle, clever comedy, slick showmanship, and a relentless stream of “how on earth…?” moments. With Adam Trent, Pablo Cánovas, Andrew Basso, and Gabriella Lester each contributing their own distinctive style of magic, the production strikes a perfect balance between blockbuster illusions and intimate sleight-of-hand artistry. Opening night at QPAC proved that this stage adaptation not only captures the spirit of the films—it elevates it, leaving Brisbane audiences thoroughly entertained, delightfully baffled, and already eager for a return visit.
TICKETS
Now Playing at the Concert Hall, QPAC
Until 18 January
All images Cameron Grant.
The Fame Reporter 