Shanghaidaily.com mentions that Los Angeles magician, Armando Lucero is in Shanghai scoping out a “close-up” magic theater project which will include music and performance art in the Art Deco Bund 18 retail and entertainment complex.
I’m here to study and learn about the culture and see how we can attract people to a complex which has 70 percent foreign customers and would like to reach more Chinese, The concept is unusual as there are not many places where close-up magicians can perform in a theatrical setting, other than the Magic Castle in Hollywood, Magic Circle in London and magic bars all over Japan. It’s usually a performer in a room or a magician in a box but when I think of a theater I think of all the tools of a theater with light and artistic help, decor and production values.
The veteran magician has been plying his craft for the past 40 years and his specialty is the art of close-up magic at which he is recognized for his skill with cards and coins.
His performance pedigree includes stages in international cities around the world plus long stints in Las Vegas at Caesar’s Palace, the Venetian, MGM Grand and the like, as well as starring roles in productions such as “Mystique” and “Imagine.”
Lucero has a long-term view of the Shanghai project’s development. His first move will be to open an intimate 30-person performance area, the second to expand to 100-person capacity and the third to open a separate, stand-alone performance venue for 2,000 customers.