The Jason Bishop Show

     It was wonderful to see the new director of The McPherson Opera House introduce the show on Friday night. Diane Fallis did a terrific job on her first night introductions. 

     Then it was time for The Jason Bishop Show. I didn't know quite what to make of this illusionist. He was a bit off putting with his humor. Perhaps that was all part of the act but between the humor and the arrogance, I couldn't warm up to his act.

     As the audience entered the theatre, there were two screens set up on either side of the stage running a variety of video's for current songs, as well as the big screen at the back of the stage. Mr. Bishop appeared and performed a trick, then remarked that this was a $65. trick and since tickets were only $30, the show was now over. It was so funny not only did I forget to laugh, but so did the audience. The show went from there.

     Bishop used a lot of electronics in his act which I had never seen used before during a magic show. He even demonstrated to the audience how a trick was done and it wasn't until near the end of the trick that the audience realized that he had in fact performed another trick as he demonstrated how the previous trick was accomplished. There is absolutely no question the Bishop has a lot of talent.

     His assistant changed clothes over and over and over again throughout the show as she performed various tricks inside boxes and bags. In one trick, with audience members and children alike on stage, she went from standing on top of a locked box that Bishop had been placed into, and holding up a bag that she disappeared into; as she and Bishop not only changed places but she changed clothes as well.

   

     Clearly a show that for the entire family. Bishop has talent and his act is not run of the mill. The use of electronics clearly going to be the wave of the future. I just wish I could get past the arrogance and the mean spiritedness. Those two things just really didn't sit well with me. The crowd seemed to enjoy it and there was a lot of laughter but I wonder if it's because people actually thought it was funny or just reacted that way because the folks around them laughed.

     Coming up on March 17, just in time for St. Patrick's Day, will be The Women of Ireland. This show features an aerialist which should prove to be quite a treat. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are on sale at the box office.