Be prepared for an audience participation trick right out of the gate when attending Limitless, Shin Lim’s close-up magic showcase inside The Mirage Theatre. Spoiler alert: It involves cards. Although Lim resists his act being referred to as “magic,” as in supernatural defiance of physics, he can’t argue that it’s not magical. He draws too many “oohs” and “aahs” from fans who were introduced to his spectacular brand of sleight-of-hand on America’s Got Talent and Penn & Teller: Fool Us. Once they are seated and see the plastic-wrapped rectangles in front of them, they are fully drawn into Lim’s universe.
That universe was created when Lim exchanged a future playing 88 piano keys for one that orbited around decks of 52 playing cards. Lim was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome while preparing for a career in music, a plot point in his life that is woven into the biographical thread running through the show. The stage set-up is simple: piano, table, crystal-clear jumbo screen above the stage, mentalist Colin Cloud, and Lim’s graceful hands.
Scottish-born Cloud, himself an AGT alumni, transcends mentalist tropes with a rapid-fire delivery and razor-sharp timing. He keeps the show moving quickly with segments that contrast with Lim’s ethereal flow and graceful delivery. One might think carpal tunnel would have hampered Lim’s ability to pull off amazing feats of dexterity, but if he’s feeling any pain, he hides it well.
The ability to manage pain became crucial once the emotive pianist was bitten by the sleight-of-hand bug. Witnessing one trick, the slip force, got him hooked. A medical sabbatical from music study before he embarked on a sustained period of 20 hours a week of practice gave him a chance to refine his approach to close-up magic and develop his own tricks as well as garner a YouTube following. Increasing momentum led to his first International Federation of Magic Societies (FISM) convention in 2012. He came in sixth at the world championship held at the triannual convention, then won first place in 2015.
Television audiences were introduced to Lim that year when he appeared on Fool Us, clearly earning the respect of Penn Jillette and Teller. Like Teller, Lim creates mystique by opting to use few words, if any. The approach works great for international audiences but had to change once Lim’s path directed toward Vegas. He worked on his banter while competing on AGT during the show’s 13th season. By the time he arrived at The Mirage in October 2019, he was a polished pro who had audiences practically eating out of his hands.
Lim draws some of the most enthusiastic audiences on the Strip, creating an atmosphere that causes the proceedings at Limitless to climax in standing ovations. It’s like being part of a big club, with Lim demonstrating his skill to the music of Sting or making cards disappear, only to re-emerge from his mouth with a puff of smoke. He might just be the No. 1 close-up magic performer in the world, a virtuoso demonstrating the art of illusion in contemporary style like no one else can.
The Mirage, ticketmaster.com
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