- OTHER MEDIA
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- Review by Robert Avila in the SF Bay Guardian (March 23, 2011)
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- Christian Cagigal is back with the magical. Over the last several years,
the popular Bay Area writer/performer has developed a series of dramatically
structured magic shows (the most recent being the autobiographical Now
and at the Hour), each a different attempt at blending expert prestidigitation
with elements of narrative theater. Tightly focused and deliberately small-scale,
Obscura is in some ways his most successful foray yet. In the EXIT
Theatre's new studio space, Cagigal (with occasional help from his audience)
unfolds a series of sly Gothic stories combined with extremely clever,
sometimes dementedly playful card and coin tricks—the majority a collection
of favorite pieces from other magicians—all played out on a delicately
managed little table augmented by overhead projection (a set-up that offers
various visual opportunities, including use of title cards). Rapid-fire
narration (occasionally indistinct but generally articulate) and a laid
back, slightly mischievous demeanor combine here with consummate skill
in an intimate and very enjoyable evening of crafty little tales. If there's
an overarching theme, it probably has something to do with human folly,
the persistence of mystery, and the devil, but then any good fable involving
a deck of cards probably should.
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