Anyone who knows me well will already know that I’ve got a real soft spot for magic, especially large-scale stage illusions. So, before even stepping onboard the cruise ship Arvia for a holiday recently (with P&O Cruises), I was pleased to discover that Matricks Illusion would be part of the guest entertainment line-up. I’ve previously seen them perform and I knew it would be a holiday highlight.
Matricks performed two separate shows in the Headliners Theatre aboard Arvia, each running for around 45 to 50 minutes and repeated a few times each during the cruise. There was also a meet-and-greet with Alex and Kelsie, which added a nice personal touch for guests wanting to say hello, grab a photo or even pick up some magic.
Alex and Kelsie are no strangers to the spotlight, with touring theatre productions and TV appearances including Britain’s Got Talent. The performances I attended were completely sold out in the ship’s impressive theatre, which seats around 1,000 guests. These special productions are clearly designed with the cruise market in mind, making full use of the venue’s sound, lighting and staging capabilities.
From the very beginning of the shows, there were plenty of genuine “wow” moments, with audible gasps from the audience throughout. The shows blending large-scale illusions, mentalism, comedy and audience participation, all delivered with a strong sense of pace and humour. Alex brings a huge amount of personality to the stage, with quick-fire improvisation and sharp comebacks that keep the energy high throughout. Very interactive shows.
As I’ve previously seen Matricks perform many of their set pieces on land, while restricted to the numbers of big box illusions they can bring on to a cruise ship, the show still offers a true variety of magic. Fans of classic “big box” illusions will definitely find plenty to enjoy, with Kelsie also takes centre stage for several standout moments. The acts performances also mix in smaller-scale magic using cards, ropes, sand and other props, which helps vary the content nicely. Kelsie also features in a solo dance and light sequence, adding another visual layer to show 2.
As always, I avoid spoilers or revealing exact details of performances, but both productions included touching nods to family members who helped inspire Alex’s career in magic, including his parents, grandparents and sister Emily. Emily still performs with Alex on select dates.
My family, who have seen more than their fair share of magic over the years, including previous Matricks performances, all thoroughly enjoyed both shows along with me.
For anyone wanting to see more of Matricks Illusion beyond the cruise circuit, they continue to tour a range of productions, including Reimagined, a full-scale illusion show, and Masters of Deception alongside Richard Jones. There are also Parkdean dates planned for 2026, along with the newer Mystery Box show currently being promoted. From what I understand, more tour dates are expected to be announced very soon.
In the event that you plan to cruise with P&O, Matricks do also advertise when they are booked to perform onboard via their social channels. Keep an eye out.
Overall, this was a very entertaining and well-produced addition to Arvia’s entertainment line-up, and an easy recommendation for anyone sailing onboard.
For more information, visit the Matricks Illusion website for info and tour dates.
https://www.matricksillusion.com/
And
Leave a Reply