PEABODY — Audience members were left speechless and stunned by Emmy nominated performer Matt Roberts’ magic show at the Black Box Theater Saturday evening.
Roberts has appeared in 30 states, on TV, and in a decade of “Music and Magic” shows at Boston Symphony Hall. He first became interested in magic reading magician books as a kid and ever since then he has tried to come up with the best magic that he can.
At the start of his performance, Roberts held out three different sized ropes, which he then made appear as though they were just one long rope. The audience clapped and gasped in surprise at what they ‘d just seen.
Roberts siad he tries to have smaller events like the one held Saturday night in Peabody every couple of months.
“Everyone has a better view and the audience participation is great,” said Roberts.
Orchestral music plays throughout the background of Roberts’ performance.
“When I book smaller venues like this one, I try to bring about the Boston Symphony Hall feel to the audience here,” he said.
Another illusion, this one involving a needle and a balloon, left the crowd with their jaws-dropped.
Roberts began by asking the crowd, “do you think I can put this very large needle through the balloon without popping it?” The crowd responded with more yesses than nos. Roberts, to the delight of the audience, was able to run the needle through the balloon without popping it.
“This trick was inspired by what I was told when I worked with the symphony and they said, never be afraid to make loud mistakes,” said Roberts.
Throughout his performance, Roberts called audience members to the stage, including, at one point, a nine-year-old named Kendrick who served as his assistant during a trick where he made an egg disappear and reappear.
Roberts went on to display several more illusions, including a Harry Potter themed magic trick, giant card tricks, and an invisible coin that won everyone in the room access to his free app.
However, Roberts saved the best for last — his Peter Pan trick, which left the crowd speechless. With the help of “pixie dust” Roberts had a table stand flying while held and lifted up the cloth that was on-top of it.
“I’m always trying to work on things that are a little different,” said Roberts.
Saturday night, the crowd walked out of the theater with an unforgettable magical experience.
