Jan Meessen

Magic Show Review Jack Rhodes:

Reflecting on one of the absolute highlights from this year’s Blackpool Magic Convention: The brilliant Jack Rhodes. 🎩✨

I’ve been following Jack’s journey for a while, and seeing him live on stage the very first time is a completely different experience. For those who don't know him, Jack has carved out a unique space in the magic world by blending dry, self-deprecating humor with incredibly high-level technical skill. He’s not just a magician; he’s a storyteller who isn’t afraid to poke fun at the tropes of magic while simultaneously blowing your mind.

What truly blew me away was his innovation. The way he interacts with his "other ego" on the screen is a masterclass in timing and creative production. It blurs the line between the physical stage and the digital world in a way I’ve never seen before.

I loved his Interpretation of the trick "Cups and Balls". We’ve all seen this classic a thousand times, but Jack completely reinvented it. By integrating sound design so precisely, he gave the props a personality. It honestly felt like the balls were alive, reacting to his movements with a life of their own. It was funny, rhythmic, and technically flawless.

Jack represents the "New Wave" of magic where the secret is just as important as the personality behind it. I’m beyond excited to hear that he’s returning to the Blackpool Magic Convention next year. If you have the chance to see his full show, do not hesitate and enjoy this unique Show!

4 days ago | [YT] | 1

Jan Meessen

Magic Show Review: Penny & Teller

Finally made it to see the legends! 🪄✨

I spent an incredible evening at the Penn & Teller Theater at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. The show lasts about 90 minutes, and every second is packed with wit and wonder. I was so excited to finally see their "Comedy Magic" live. I've been a huge fan of their show Fool Us, where magicians try to outsmart them!

Here is what I liked:

The Surprise Opening: I was so impressed to see Penn right at the start. Before the magic even begins, he’s on stage playing the upright bass in the jazz band, entertaining the crowd. Such a cool, personal touch! 🙌 🎸

Constant Innovation: I love that they don't just "play the hits." They constantly swap tricks and introduce new material to keep the show fresh.

Modern Classics: I think they have an incredible talent for taking classic magic tricks and making them hilarious and engaging for a modern audience.

The Oracle: There was a super funny bit where a kid interacted with an "Oracle Prediction Machine" (it totally reminded me of the movie Big from the 80s!). The way the machine "answered" was just brilliant. 🔮🤖

The Perspective Shift: My absolute favorite was the "Backward Trick." I was so confused at first, and only at the very end does a "shift in perspective" reveal what actually happened. It was a true masterpiece! 🔄

If I had to complain about one thing, it’s that typical Vegas feeling: You can sometimes feel the "mass production" behind the scenes. Everything else was so great that it didn’t ruin the experience for me at all.

Highly recommended! 🃏🎲

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

Jan Meessen

Magic Show Review: Siegfried & Joy ✨🐯]

Ich habe die Show von Siegfried & Joy nun schon öfter gesehen und nun kommt auch mein Review zu der Show.

Mein Fazit vorab:
Wer die Show noch nicht gesehen hat: Unbedingt hingehen! Auch, wenn man eigentlich keine Zauberei mag! Es ist Comedy-Magic pur und die beiden sorgen mit ihrer positiven Ausstrahlung und den Gags einfach für unfassbar gute Laune - dafür muss man nicht unbedingt Zauberei-Fan sein (schadet aber natürlich nicht). Bis auf die Paillettenanzüge sind sie übrigens das genaue Gegenteil von Siegfried & Roy (und beide Shows sind / waren toll und sehenswert).

Zur Show: Erwartet keine Mega-Illusionen à la Las Vegas. Die Tricks sind technisch top und unterhaltsam, aber der Star ist hier die Performance. Jede Bewegung, jeder Satz, jeder Gag und jede Betonung sitzen zu 120 %. Es wirkt super spontan und chaotisch (besonders die "versehentlichen" Auflösungen der Tricks), aber dahinter steckt unglaublich präzise Arbeit und das macht die Show so einzigartig. Besonders schön: 1️⃣ Das Publikum wird sehr gut eingebunden, aber nie bloßgestellt - gemeinsam haben alle Spaß auf der Bühne. Wenn einmal Kinder auf die Bühne kommen, sind sie die Stars 2️⃣ Obwohl die beiden Künstler gemeinsam so perfekt funktionieren, haben sie auch Ihre eigenen kurzen Solos: Hier gibt es Mental-Magie und Karten-Manipulation. Der stärkste Zaubertrick ist für mich der Trick, wo eine Brille eines Zuschauers (versehentlich) zerstört wird und am Ende wieder erscheint.

Und kommt bloß nicht zu spät zu der Show! Die erste Hälfte finde ich persönlich sogar noch einen Tick stärker als die zweite und es wäre schade, wenn man hier etwas verpasst (obwohl die Chancen ganz gut stehen, dass man persönlich begrüßt wird, wenn man zu spät kommt). Die "normale" Show am Abend ist übrigens auch sehr gut für Kinder geeignet.

Ich kenne die Gags, Show und Tricks mittlerweile durch den wiederholten Besuch ganz gut und muss trotzdem immer wieder lachen.

Man geht einfach fröhlicher und glücklicher aus der Show, als man reingekommen ist. Und was will man mehr? 💛

#siegfriedundjoy #magiccomedy #review #magicshow #zauberei #zaubershow #magic

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

Jan Meessen

Magic Show Review David Copperfield

My Verdict First: If I could turn back time, I would absolutely buy a ticket again. This is less about the show itself and more about the opportunity to see the person who, as a boy, impressed me with fantastic illusions like walking through the Great Wall of China, inspiring my start in magic. I wanted to see this magician one more time, and that's why I bought the ticket. The Show Experience: If you're a teenager today and don't know David from the last millennium, you might be a little underwhelmed. The show, held at the David Copperfield Theater inside the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, runs for approximately 70 to 90 minutes in a beautiful setting. It featured many solid tricks, but few were truly unique in the way the young David Copperfield was known for. That said, some moments were spectacular, including the sheer disbelief during his license plate prediction act, where numbers chosen randomly by multiple audience members miraculously matched a prediction - this prediction trick was absolutely brilliant! Less engaging was a lengthy segment where he makes an alien appear and talked with it for 10 minutes. However, the show definitely had a few other high points near the end, such as when a large UFO appeared and flew through the theatre or the appearance of a big dinosaur. The close connection with the audience that David used to have was somewhat lacking, feeling a bit "assembly line," and David seemed a bit less energetic, which is understandable given his age and incredible schedule of 13 shows a week! In the end, there were Standing Ovations - not for the current show (I guess), but for one of the greatest magicians of the last few decades, who transformed the art of magic into what we know today. It was a great moment of nostalgia and a tribute to a legend! This was the last David Copperfield Show I saw - thank you for the magic!

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

Jan Meessen

Magic Show Review: Shin Lim's "LIMITLESS" Magic Show - An astonishing Experience!

I just saw Shin Lim - one of the greatest magicians of the world - live in Las Vegas this year, and I’m still blown away by the level of skill and artistry. If you are looking for a show that truly defines modern magic, this is it! The 90-minute show takes place at the Palazzo Theatre inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, which is a stunning and beautiful venue.

Perfect Start: The show kicked off with an incredible mentalist (the opening act) who was the ideal warm-up! I was particularly impressed when he produced the name "Shin Lim" through a seemingly random series of mathematical calculations given by the audience. It immediately set a mysterious and engaging tone.

Sleight of Hand Masterclass: Shin Lim's dexterity and sleight of hand are astonishing. The show's camera work is brilliantly executed, projecting the magic onto large screens so you don't miss a single breathtaking moment, even from the back.

💖 A Compelling Story:
What makes the performance so captivating is his personal journey. Originally a talented, aspiring concert pianist, a hand injury and subsequent surgery forced him to abandon that dream. This major setback, however, opened a new, unexpected door to the world of magic. His story is truly inspiring and adds so much depth to his performance.

🌟 The Highlight:
For me, the absolute peak of the show was his iconic FISM 2015 World Champion routine, which he has continuously refined. The precision, the music, and the poetry of the performance are on another level. The entire show is perfectly underscored by an optimal musical accompaniment.

💡 A Small Note:
The only small drawback (as is often the case with big Las Vegas productions) is that it sometimes feels a bit "from the tape." There's little room for spontaneity or a deep, personal connection with the guests due to the tight structure.

Bottom line: Despite the structured nature of the "Las Vegas mass production", if you're in Las Vegas and want to see truly fantastic, world-class magic that blends skill, emotion, and visual wonder, go see Shin Lim. You won't regret it!

#shinlim #magicshow #magic #zaubershow #show

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Jan Meessen

Rückblick meiner Mini-Benefiz-Tour 2025

Meine Mini-Benefiz-Zauber-Tour ist im September 2025 in Hamburg zu Ende gegangen und hat meine Erwartungen übertroffen. Ursprünglich als kleine Idee gestartet, haben wir Dank des Engagements und der Spendenbereitschaft der Gäste durch die Benefiz-Shows gemeinsam viel erreicht - unterstützt wurden dabei folgende wichtigen Organisationen:

👉 Das Deutsche Krebsforschungszentrum / #DKFZ durch Shows in Frankfurt & Fulda

👉 Die #deutscheaidshilfe / #positivarbeiten durch Shows in München & Erlangen

👉 und natürlich #HinzundKunztHamburg durch eine Show in Hamburg (Danke, @xenia_brennt !) und mittlerweile schon im dritten Jahr in Folge (und 2026 ist in Planung 😊)

Für die drei Organisationen konnten wir zusammen einen mittleren vierstelligen Betrag an Spenden zusammenbekommen, was fantastisch ist🙏! Aber insbesondere das große Interesse an den Organisationen war vor und nach den Shows toll - und Aufmerksamkeit zu schaffen, war natürlich auch ein Hauptziel und diese Themen und Organisationen brauchen noch viel mehr Aufmerksamkeit von uns (Schaut doch gerne Mal auf deren Seiten vorbei)!

Vielen Dank an alle Gäste, Spender:innen,.Helfer:innen und natürlich an die wundervollen Theater, die uns eine Bühne geboten haben (#heppel.ettlich , #centralkomitee , #kulturhausfrankfurt , #kuz_kreuz , #theaterbuehnefiftyfifty)

Es war dann doch viel Arbeit, die Strecke Hamburg - München habe ich irgendwie unterschätzt 🙄, aber ich würde es immer wieder machen - diese Abende bleiben in bester Erinnerung! 💖

P.S.: Die Planungen für die nächsten Benefiz-Veranstaltungen laufen schon! Falls ihr tolle Location-Tipps oder Anregungen habt, freue ich mich über eure Nachrichten oder Kommentare!

#BenefizZauber #magicforcharity #zaubershow #zauber
#magic

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 1

Jan Meessen

Magic Show Review: "Augenweide" - Marc Weide

Endlich hat es geklappt! ✨ Nach öfteren Verpassen konnte ich nun endlich die Show "Augenweide" von Marc Weide in Hamburg besuchen und ich kann nur sagen: Absolute Empfehlung! 🎩🙌

Wer sich für die Show ein Ticket besorgt, bekommt neben starker Zauberei, auch extrem viel Spaß und Unterhaltung für sein Geld. Marc ist nicht "nur" ein großartiger Zauberkünstler (Weltmeister der Zauberkunst), sondern ein grandioser und sympathischer Entertainer. Seine Comedy und die Art, wie er improvisiert (besonders wenn Gäste mal anders reagieren als gedacht), sind ein Highlight. Ich glaube, Marc könnte das Publikum zwei Stunden lang nur mit einem einzigen Seil unterhalten (macht er aber nicht - keine Sorge!)!

Trotzdem kommt die Magie nicht zu kurz: Von Gedankenlesen über Kartenkunst bis hin zu klassischeren Nummern ist wirklich alles dabei. Man merkt einfach, wie viel Energie er in das Storytelling und die Weiterentwicklung seiner Tricks steckt. Alles wirkt persönlich und einzigartig und die Show ist sehr vielfältig. Besonders beeindruckt hat mich, wie er verschiedene vom Publikum gezogene Karten auf unterschiedliche Weise wiedergefunden hat (das ist viel spektakulärer, als man schreiben kann 🙂 ).

Ein riesiger Bonus: Der Zauberkünstler Miles Pitwell war als Gast dabei! Die beiden zusammen auf der Bühne sind eine geniale Kombi – komplett unterschiedlich, aber perfekt harmonierend. Miles‘ Manipulation (wie er Dinge erscheinen lässt) ist beeindruckend, aber seine "Licht-Nummer" ist wirklich pure Magie, die man gesehen haben muss. ✨💡Toll auch, dass sich die beiden nach der Show die Zeit genommen haben, die Gäste im Foyer zu verabschieden.

Fazit: Die Show lohnt sich sehr! Wer einen magischen und lustigen Abend sucht, ist hier genau richtig. Ab Januar tourt Marc mit seinem neuen Programm "Magier des Monats" durch Deutschland - ich werde auf jeden Fall dabei sein.

#marcweide #augenweide #zauberei #magicshow #milespitwell #magie

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Jan Meessen

I had long desired to see Dan White live, and I finally managed it this October! Dan White's "The Magician" is a masterclass in intimate magic, set in an exclusive spot right in the heart of Manhattan. Forget big stage illusions - this is up-close mentalism and magic that leaves you absolutely stunned.

The journey to the show is already part of the enchantment. The entrance is unassuming and slightly mystical, hidden away in Manhattan. You are guided through an old, impressive foyer into a very nice bar. From there, an elevator takes you directly up to the attic, which serves as the exclusive and intimate performance space. The entire show is framed by a fascinating "narrative arc." I will spare you the details here so as not to spoil the surprise, but the beginning perfectly aligns with the end. Dan immediately puts the guests at ease regarding participation: He emphasizes how respectfully he works with the audience and that everyone can simply say "no" and will not be forced onto the stage.

The Show Highlights
Dan is incredibly relaxed, charming, and technically flawless. The absolute highlight for me was the trick with the borrowed ring! Watching that personal piece of jewelry disappear and then reappear in a completely unexpected place was pure genius and truly world-class magic.
Another highlight was that Dan managed to make one guest read the thoughts of another guest! It's also thrilling to see how Dan's team accompanies a guest to the rooftop of the building with a live camera (everything is completely safe) where personal items vanish. And his grand finale was unforgettable.

A Quick Heads-Up:
It gets chilly (in October)! The attic venue is atmospheric but cool, so be sure to bring a sweater or jacket and seating is very tight. Tickets are sold only in pairs (and they are not cheap). This makes it tricky for solo guests or odd-numbered groups (unless you have a magic-loving friend in the city).

The bottom line: If you look past these few comfort issues, this is a phenomenal and unforgettable show of world-class magic you can experience in New York City. Highly recommended!

#magicshow #danwhite #magic #zaubershow #themagician #newyork

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Jan Meessen

🎩 Magic Show Review: Jay Alexander, San Francisco

I had the unforgettable pleasure of seeing Jay Alexander's Magic Show at the Magic Theater in San Francisco. Right off the bat: This is a clear, absolute recommendation! You definitely get incredible magic, great entertainment, and a lot of fun for your money.

The Experience Starts Early 🥂 The entire evening kicks off in the bar area of the charming, small theater. This pre-show space is perfect for enjoying a drink or a snack while comfortably waiting for the doors to open. The biggest highlight here is that Jay Alexander himself walks around, personally greeting guests and performing stunning, close-up card tricks. This immediately lightens the mood and builds a level of trust - a crucial step, as he works extensively with the audience later on, and no one feels "afraid" to join him on stage!

✨The theater itself has the perfect size. It’s large enough to truly feel like a proper venue, yet not so big that the experience loses its personal touch. It feels very close, familiar, and welcoming. When the show officially begins, Jay Alexander immediately establishes a strong rapport with his audience through his approachable, witty, and deeply humorous style. He works respectfully and brilliantly with what felt like almost every person in the room - everyone was happy to participate, whether from their seat or by coming up on stage. His show focuses on Mind Reading. He presents these mentalist skills with such a great sense of humor that you never feel like you're watching a "supernatural" spectacle, but rather an engaging and smart entertainment show.

All the tricks are strong from the start, but they continuously build and escalate in difficulty and impact. The show ends on an exceptionally high note with an unbelievable prediction that left the entire audience stunned. The incredible evening is capped off by Jay Alexander taking the time after the curtain falls for a personal meet.

‪@JayAlexander‬
You can join this show every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
#sanfrancisco #magicshow #jayalexander #magic

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1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Jan Meessen

Learning from the best 2.0 - The Ehrlich Brothers
#Zauberer #magician #magic

2 months ago | [YT] | 2