Paul features in an interview in today’s Guardian newspaper. Interviewed by Maddy Costa, he talks about Matilda, Ghost The Musical and when when things don’t quite go to plan! Read Matilda’s master illusionist.
Tags: film magician, Ghost The Musical, Matilda, stage illusions, The Guardian, theatre magician
Paul Kieve has worked with legendary movie director Martin Scorcese on the new movie HUGO as magic consultant. He also tutored actor Sir Ben Kingsley in his role as magician and film maker Georges Melies and young Asa Butterfield (Hugo). Brian Selznick, author of ‘The Invention of Hugo Cabret’ on which the movie is based, interviewed Paul for the ‘Hugo Movie Companion’ book. One of the most exciting shots in the movie recreates an act performed on the stage of the magical Robert Houdin theatre in the 1890′s. The shot was suggested by Paul to Scorcese based directly on an image depicted on an antique magical poster.
Tags: brian selznick, georges melies magician, hugo cabret magician, hugo magic, illusionist hugo, magic consultant hugo, magic teacher hugo, magician hugo, martin scorcese magician, sir ben kingsley magician
West End Matilda wins Evening Standard Drama award for Best New Musical!
Following a sensational sell-out season in Stratford, the RSC’s production of MATILDA THE MUSICAL has opened in the West End, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and featuring magic effects by Paul Kieve. And even before its official opening it won the prestigious Evening Standard Drama award for Best New Musical.
“The best pieces of musical theatre come from great collaborations – the right people being in the right place at the right time – with each ingredient complementing the other. Composer/lyricist Tim Minchin, librettist Dennis Kelly, director Matthew Warchus, choreographer Peter Darling, . designer Rob Howell and illusionist Paul Kieve have done more than preserved the spirit and mischievousness of Roald Dahl’s classic tale – they have created a fresh and intelligent family entertainment that brings joy to both adults and children” The Stage, Nov 25 2011
***** The Times **** The Guardian ***** The Independent *****Daily Mail ***** Daily Express
More information: www.matildathemusical.com
Tags: Matilda, roald dahl, tim minchin
The Hugo Movie Companion has been released and features an interview with Paul Kieve.
see link
Tags: brian selznick, early film effects, georges melies magician, magic hugo, magician hugo
GHOST to open on Broadway – March 2011
Ghost The Musical, featuring magic effects by Paul Kieve, will open at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, West 46th Street, New York early in 2012. Previews start on March 15th and opening night is April 19th. According to Playbill.com
‘Ground-breaking stage illusions set the backdrop to the story of two lovers separated by an act of violence. Based on the movie starring Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg.’
A further production has been announced in Melbourne, Australia opening in 2013.
‘The best single argument for putting this film on stage is Paul Kieve’s special effects’ Dominic Maxwell, The Times
Ghost The Musical continues its successful West End run at the Piccadilly Theatre, London featuring ground breaking effects by Paul Kieve. It has now played to over 250,000 people. Not only did the national critics unanimously praise his work, but many of his fellow magicians have raved about it. Teller (from Las Vegas duo Penn and Teller) described it as ‘one of the finest magic shows I’ve ever been to’ and twittered about its ‘stunning optical magic’. Mac King who has had his own magic show on the Las Vegas strip for over 10 years wrote ’Ghost has some of the most incredible tricks that I’ve seen in any show of any kind’.
‘The appeal lies in Matthew Warchus’s super-slick production and Paul Kieve’s illusions, which use the latest technology to zoom bodies through solid doors.. and a plethora of other amazing special effects. These set a new industry standard and should win awards’
Robert Gore-Langton, Mail On Sunday.
‘Paul Kieve, who created the illusions, and Sharon D Clarke, playing the phoney psychic .. are two of the secret weapons of British theatre, and steal the show with their contributions – the first by stealth, the second with sass.’
Mark Shenton, The Stage
Tags: ghost effects, Ghost the Musical effects, Illusionist ghost, pepper's ghost, special effects, Special effects designer Ghost
Batman Live completed a successful UK tour including a triumphant 11 day run at the O2 arena in London. The Evening Standard said ”we are treated to some neat illusions courtesy of magician Paul Kieve and visually the show, directed by Anthony Van Laast, is often impressive” . The show continues to tour arenas in Scandinavia and mainland Europe into the middle of 2012 before opening in the USA. 
‘following on from succesful seasons in Paris. The Netherlands, Moscow, Tokyo and London, Paul has supervised the magic on the Asian premiere of ‘Zorro – The Musical’ with music by the Gypsy Kings. The show opened at the Centre for Orient Arts,Shanghai in October 2011
The Tempest directed by Trevor Nunn, starring Ralph Fiennes
Paul has once again collaborated with legendary theatrical director Trevor Nunn on his first ever production of William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’, starring Ralph Fiennes as Prospero.
The production which opened in September 2011 has now completed a limited season at The Haymarket Theatre, West End. Trevor Nunn commented that almost everyone asked where the banquet and banqueting table had vanished to. Shakespeare himself suggested it occurring by ‘a quaint device’.. Paul Kieve isn’t telling where it went…
Opera North’s acclaimed production of Ruddigore, by Gilbert and Sullivan, is currently touring the UK, and coming to The Barbican Centre in November. Paul was called in to assist on one of the most famous Ghost scenes of all, when the framed portraits of generations of Murgatroyd family come to life.. Conducted by the highly talented and dapper conductor John Wilson.
