GHOST The Musical on Broadway

GHOST now running at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre, New York

“It’s rare for me to experience wonder but my friend Paul Kieve gave me that experience for an illusion he created in Ghost”  Illusionist David Copperfield on ‘twitter’

‘The true stars of “Ghost Musical” are illusionist Paul Kieve along with projection designer Jon Driscoll …who have put together a visual spectacle on Broadway unprecedented in its technical artistry.     Jonathan Mandell, The Faster Times

As a technical achievement, “Ghost The Musical” raises the bar to new heights. In addition to Rob Howell, credited as designer, there’s a video and projection designer, Jon Driscoll, as well as illusionist Paul Kieve who are the real stars. Recreating the movie magic, they’ve come up with some truly awesome visuals. …Dazzling special effects.   NY1

It’s the slickest, most visually appealing musical since the one about a spider dude. It all comes together – computers, dancers, projections and illusions by Paul Kieve – thrillingly in two subway scenes … Those sequences are eye-poppingly brilliant. Overall, it’s an ambitious, carefully orchestrated work that raises the bar on technological innovation.    Huffington Post.com

What people are most likely to remember from the show are its magical illusions, created by Paul Kieve. Watching Sam walking through what had been previously established as a solid door is one of those “how did they do that moments”   Theatre Mania

Special effects are genuinely stunning. The audience gasps at the scenes when Sam slips through a door, engages in a spectral subway battle and makes his way up a stairway to heaven.   Time Out, New York

Paul Kieve has been nominated for a New York  ’Drama Desk’ Award for his work.

Matilda The Musical triumphant opening in West End!

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

Ghost The Musical in the West End

‘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

Read the Daily Telegraph article on Paul’s work in “Ghost The Musical” – Now playing. (Photo – Andrew Crowley)

The Tempest

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…

Scrooge The Musical on UK tour

Scrooge – The Musical – the original London Palladium production – is on tour once again, starring Tommy Steele, with dazzling magic effects by Paul Kieve. Leslie Bricusse’s spectacular musical extravaganza Scrooge is a heart-warming family story based on Charles Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol’.

“With stunning sets and costumes, , and a fantastic musical score, featuring the Oscar-nominated hit Thank You Very Much, Scrooge is this season’s unmissable smash hit musical for all the family”

21 – 26 Nov 2011:  M.K. Theatre  Milton Keynes

28 Nov – 2 Dec 2011:  Theatre Royal Glasgow

5 – 10 Dec 2011:  Empire Theatre Liverpool

12 Dec 2011 – 7 Jan 2012:  Lowry Theatre Salford

9 – 14 Jan  2012:  New Theatre Oxford

Ghost The Musical

Following a sell-out run at the Manchester Opera House, GHOST opened at the Piccadilly Theatre on 24th June 2011.

Paul has created some totally innovative effects to bring the famous 1990 movie onto the stage. (more…)

The Invisible Man returns after 19 years!

Ken Hill’s adaptation of H.G. Wells The Invisible Man with spectacular effects by Paul Kieve completed a successful run at the Menier Chocolate Factory from November 24, 2010  to February 13, 2011.

Read the brilliant  Guardian review.

‘Illusionist Paul Kieve is the invisible genius of British theatre…in an age when the theatre loves to show that it has nothing up its sleeve, Kieve restores our faith in the power of illusion.. (and) leaves you in a state of baffled pleasure’
Michael Billington, The Guardian

‘The production is a pageant of illusion, teeming with magic. His bandages pulled off, Griffin really does seem to disappear; the audience actually gasped.’
Rachel Cooke, The Observer
“The production’s secret weapon is Paul Kieve, a master of stage illusions.”
Charles Spencer, The Telegraph

“Paul Kieve’s illusions .. convincing and ..brilliant”
Libby Purves, The Times

‘Paul Kieve’s magic comes into its own here… as knives and pistols are brandished, books flung, drawers rifled through and cigarettes smoked – all by forces unseen.’
Sarah Hemming, Financial Times

‘Kieve’s illusions may be the star feature of this production, but it would be wrong to give away any of the surprise effects that are as humorous as they are special.’
Paul Vale, The Stage

‘Paul Kieve’s visual illusions are wizard’
Kate Bassett, The Independent

‘Tingly trompes l’oeil from illusionist Paul Kieve’
Brian Logan, Variety

‘Nifty tricks by illusionist Paul Kieve ..’
Ray Bennett, Hollywood reporter.

‘Paul Kieve’s wizard stage tricks’
Caroline McGinn, Time Out

Our House

OUR HOUSE by Tim Firth. Directed by Matthew Warchus. Music by Madness. Cambridge Theatre 2002/3. Winner of Olivier Award for Best New Musical. The “sliding doors” style narrative required the lead actor to be seemingly in two places at once. The many instant quick changes resulted in a Guinness World Record for Paul, the director and star of the show for the most number of costume changes by a lead in a musical.

The Witches of Eastwick

The Witches of Eastwick, produced by Cameron Mackintosh, Theatre Royal Drury Lane 2001. Paul collaborated with illusionist Simon Drake to create the vomiting demise of Felicia Gabriel (played by Rosie Ashe).

The Witches by Roald Dahl

The Witches by Roald Dahl, adapted and directed by David Wood, played the West End in 1992 & 1996 and three extensive National Tours. The illusion work included the transposition of children into mice, and the disappearance of a stage full of witches in the final scene.