Jonathan Goodwin’s ever-growing catalogue of terrifying stunts has dazzled television and live audiences for years and as part of the Illusionists 1903, Goodwin makes his Adelaide debut in January 2015. The Welsh-born daredevil, escapologist and free diver (among many talents) is the modern personification of a Victorian stuntman’s ingenuity, boldness and showmanship, paired with a gentlemanly manner and eloquence you’d also expect of the era.
Being a history and magic buff, Goodwin is delighted to be in a production that celebrates Victorian magic. His last television series emulated high rope stunts, escapology and deep water evasions in theme with his heroes of the era, Charles Blondin and Harry Houdini. “There is a real gamut of Victorian showmen and daredevil characters that most people will never have heard of today, so the opportunity to bring them back into a modern mindset is a privilege” explains Goodwin.
Recent blockbuster films like Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes series and Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland have heightened an interest in the era, for which Goodwin predicts the success of the Illusionists 1903. Goodwin says the set rendering and “filmic score” provides an evocative platform from which the performance will take place. He affirms the performers “are not pretending that we are in 1903, but very much showcasing the themes and ideas that were about in the period.”
Unrestricted by risk assessments and safety guidelines of today, the golden age was when performers, magicians and daredevils were “completely unhampered with regard to their creativity, and people did extraordinary things” according to Goodwin. Following suit, the performers in the Illusionists 1903 are pushing the limits for fame and reputation. “Performers were doing anything and everything they could to make their act stand out and be the one that everyone was talking about. What is really interesting about this show is that we are all doing very different things and we are sort of competing with each other for that top spot.”
While Goodwin is a seasoned stunt performer, this production has realised new challenges. ”For a corporate client or TV show, I do a stunt once and never have to do it again. The challenge in theatre is to come up with material that is as good as I can possibly make it, but something I can do up to three times a day. I go from setting myself on fire, to shoving a scorpion in my mouth and starting again.”
Goodwin believes the previous two Australian Illusionist tours has helped transform people’s attitude toward the art. “The performers for this show are amazing and absolutely the kind of people you want to see. It dispels the myth that magic is hackneyed and old school, but it can be incredibly entertaining and breathtaking theatre, as it once was.”
At the bottom of it all is the human interest in the daring and dangerous, which will make the show attractive to audiences. “Houdini said, ‘people will come to see you die’ and I don’t think people have changed that much in 100 years” Goodwin reflects.
Interview by Bree Downs-Woolley
Venue: Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: Thursday 15 January 2015 – Sunday 25 January 2015
Times: Doors open at 7:15 pm (1:45 for weekend matinee shows)
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Tickets: Premium $99.9, Subscription A Reserve $79.90, Subscription A Concession $69.90, A Reserve $89.90, A Reserve Concession $79.90, B Reserve $79.90, B Reserve Concession $69.90, C Reserve Concession $59.90, Family (2+2) $290.00
Suitable: Ages 8+
Bookings: Via the Adelaide Festival Centre website, or through BASS online 131 246
Links:
Jonathan Goodwin official website
Jonathan Goodwin on facebook
Jonathan Goodwin on twitter
Bree Downs-Woolley on twitter
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