Leaving the house on Friday to watch Australian illusionist Cosentino at Queens Park Theatre well worth it

How does one go from performing at the grand final of Australia’s Got Talent in front of a national television audience of about two million to mesmerising a low-key audience at a regional theatre? Seamlessly, I must say. Geraldtonians eagerly waited for grand illusionist Cosentino’s performance to begin last Friday night, huddled around the packed-out Queens Park Theatre with a glass of wine in hand, or otherwise lined up at the bar. Decennium was sold out as local families, fans and magic critics made an effort to leave their homes on Friday to unsuccessfully pick apart the illusions and death-defying escapes. Cosentino came runner-up in season five of Australia’s Got Talent and now continues following his magical passion full-time. A friend and I sat at the back of the theatre — all other seats were sold out — but we nonetheless seized an opportunity to see some good quality banter and seriously cool illusions. Eyes peeled open when the performance began with Cosentino lighting torches on fire and launching them through a box his assistants climbed into. Lo and behold they managed to get out in one piece. Cosentino performed other classic stage illusions, including sawing his assistant in half and making another float in the air. All which had the children in shock, and even prying adults trying to crack the magic code remained quietly stunned. The best part for me — a Gen-Z from country WA — was when the magician promised to transform a tipsy audience member’s $50 note into $100, but it ended up being a $5. After a few more amusing illusions, the magician cut into a real orange and extracted a $50 bill, handing it back to the crowd member, known as Ralph (I’m not convinced that’s his real name), resulting in laughter bouncing off the theatre walls. What sets this show apart is the way Cosentino integrates storytelling and snippets of his film Cosentino: The Magic, the Mystery, the Madness. Rather than mere spectators, the audience became part of the magic unfolding before their eyes. The show ended with an atmosphere of astonishment and I’m sure families were reliving the illusions as they made their way home.