EYE Magazine February 22, 2008

On Stage: The Paranormal Show

By: Philip Brown

Editorial Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Starring Scott McClelland and Theadora. Written And Directed By Scott McClelland. Presented by Carnival Diablo Productions . To May 3rd. $28.50. Diesel Playhouse, 56 Blue Jay Way.

The Paranormal Show transports audiences back to the traveling sideshows and magic acts of the early 1900s. Hosted by Scott McClelland under the ominous pseudonym Vladimir Eisengrim, the performance consists of a series of old-fashioned illusions presented as supernatural occurrences. The show includes hypnotism, mentalist routines, the swallowing of razorblades and other mock paranormal activities. The tricks have all been seen before, but McClelland enhances them with atmospheric techniques lifted from horror movies (moody lighting, sinister sound effects, brooding music, etc.) and the performance benefits from McClelland’s commanding stage presence and wry manner. In the hands of such a natural showman, the piece is constantly entertaining and appropriately creepy.

McClelland is a veteran of the sideshow world, having created the acclaimed Carnival Diablo and trained a variety of illusionists and sideshow performers. His experience and respect for the trade are obvious in The Paranormal Show, which updates traditional acts for contemporary audiences. Unfortunately, this also means that much of the show merely repackages tired gimmicks with bigger budgets. But despite the familiarity, the old gags are undeniably satisfying when presented with such style and good humour. In an age of cold CGI–driven horror movies and increasingly disgusting television freak shows like Jackass, McClelland’s show reminds viewers how amusing, impressive, and oddly wholesome traditional carnival and magic acts can be.