 Mortimer's animated antics are half the fun (Photo:Xavier Mortimer/Wicked Creative) Las Vegas is known for its shows, some more famous than others, but it’s a known fact that if you are headed to the Strip then that’s a top priority. Over the years I have watched a few shows during my visits including the Blue Man Group, a few Cirque de Soleil shows and then some. So I was plenty thrilled to be invited to a media preview of a performance by Xavier Mortimer, previously with Cirque but now a Las Vegas Strip headlining magician!  Mortimer's trick that included my guest. Won't spill the beans on what it was but if you are a part of it, you will be as stumped! (Photo:Xavier Mortimer/Wicked Creative) Mortimer was in Hollywood at the Magic Castle promoting his new material and wowed audiences with his witty and humorous performance but equally mind blowing, rationale defying tricks. As someone who is usually just another audience member, I am pretty skeptical about magic performances and reserve some of that doubt for magicians as well. But this time was different – my guest got to participate in one of Mortimer’s tricks and it was a stunner. The limited edition run in Los Angeles saw Mortimer work through his entire performance of Xavier Mortimer’s Magical Dream as you would see it at Bally’s on the Las Vegas Strip. In addition to being awarded “Best Magician” by the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s “Best of Las Vegas” awards, Mortimer was a finalist on France’s Got Talent, has appeared on America’s Got Talent and is the first Cirque du Soleil performer to headline a show on the Las Vegas Strip. So if you thought the name sounded familiar, nope, you were not mistaken. Mortimer is ably assisted in his show by love interest Belle, who has a few tricks up her sleeve as well, and some pretty serious eyebrow action, if you end up being the receiver of her fancy (wink, wink). The audience participation is certainly an integral part of this show and the musical elements are an added aspect. I forgot how long the show was since I was pretty impressed with the whole performance but I believe it’s just about an hour – not a huge time commitment but at the same time, that one hour is filled with innovative acts by Mortimer. Bonus points on the shadow and light play too. It’s already a high-pressure performance when you are the only one on stage, no matter the skills and talents you are displaying but I think it’s an even more risky scenario when you are pretty much the only one trying to trick a whole room of onlookers into believing what they saw wasn’t what they saw or was it/not?! Highly recommend his performance if you get a chance to watch it in Vegas or keep an eye on his website to see if he is performing at a venue near you. I dare you though to leave without trying to guess how he did those tricks on stage. I think he dares you too! On a side note – not an easy thing to get into Magic Castle so I will say – they have a strict dress code so check the website ahead of your visit. It isn’t too strict when it comes to women though so you don’t have to dress like you are headed to church (which was me). Once inside, no photography at all. They have a restaurant onsite, where, if you do dine, then they give you tickets to one of the shows happening that day. Prices are steep for the entrees and you are required to order those so no way to play low here. Food and service is fantastic though so if you want to go all out, this place is it. The venue itself is quite the experience, walking round watching card shows and mind games as you wait for the next show and just an old school charm about everyone being dressed up for a night out makes this a uniquely LA thing to do. Of course, all this is actually dependent on you getting an invitation to the space first! So good luck. Easier to head to Mortimer’s show in Vegas! If you do go, share in the comments below about your experience. And which was your favorite act of all?  Mortimer's show will leave you celebrating the magic (Photo:Xavier Mortimer/Wicked Creative)
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