VegasChatter

There’s magic in the traditional sense--coins appear impossibly under cards, you’ll be asked to pick a card. But his specialty is psychological conundrums.

Vigil’s mission is to impress upon you he can read your mind, or psychologically affect your decisions. And that artifice is an inspiration to make you think. It’s best you don’t turn up for the show after a few drinks. You’ll want to be alert for this hour of your vacation.

We feverishly wrote notes detailing the routines, but we enjoyed it so much we really don’t want to spoil the show’s trajectory for you. If you are available at 7pm on Wednesday, make a mental note and just go. And, yes, it’s still free.

Vigil has been an underground star in the world of magic for a number of years. His quiet demeanor and even his name (you pronounce the G as an H) sets him apart from each hungry, eager new wave of conjurers. This writer saw him fry the minds of a room full of magicians at the Orleans years ago. Since then he’s been developing this show with regular patrons in mind. And counter to the gothic look of King Ink, Vigil is bespoke and conservative in mode and manner.

The audience is a mix of informed and random tourists and incognito magicians. The magic community turns out for inspiration, admiration and maybe a little intellectual theft.

Holed up inside King Ink, Vigil performs with his back to a curtain and a collection of chairs, sofas, and bar stools huddle around his small table. With a quick introduction he’s off and running. Well, maybe strolling. It’s not as fast paced as most magic shows you’ve seen. The props can all be bought in the Mirage gift shop. Dice, cards, coins and a shot glass. The room fits probably 40 people maximum, and if you arrive late you’ll probably have to stand.

Paul coaxes inside curious casino stragglers who poke in their heads after hearing the applause. But this is a close up show, and it pays to be early and get up close. You’ll also become part of the event. This isn’t a display of dexterity and using the audience as committee and contributor is essential to show the fairness of his deception. You’ll hear him question his fairness often. His other habitual line is,"I'm not happy, until you're happy." You have the choice to change your mind. You do. He's already two steps ahead of you.

The cerebral nature of Vigil’s civilian life bleeds over into the performance. He’ll quote poet T.S. Eliot, 19th century Austrian conjuror Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser and Reservoir Dogs. The breadth of his connected influences further sets Paul from the pack, combined with wit, skill and the suggestion of some strange otherness at work. Also, the very clean, precise way he works.

The flashiness of other workers, is absent here. It’s all up front, and that’s why you’ll find so many visiting magicians at his show. Sneak a peek around you. Every now and then you’ll see a wry smile as they notice something wickedly clever. The kicker with Paul, is his inventive approach to performing surprises those of us who think we know what is going on. He fooled Penn and Teller. He’ll fool you.

It’s an hour long show and if you’ve seen him in the past, go again. New material. Different approaches. And an evident bolder confidence in his work. If you do go, take a cell phone, turn it off, but makes sure there’s someone, somewhere, who you can quickly call. It’ll be worth it.

Whether you believe in ESP, telepathy or are just willing to bask in the hokum of live magic theatre, bring an intelligent ,inquisitive mind and you'll find much to enjoy. Vigil dances around the true nature of his skills and is ultimately happy to just let you think of him weaving, “a beautiful lie.” He knows you’ll ultimately leave puzzling and thinking. He was already three steps ahead of you.

Paul Vigil performs at King Ink in the Mirage on Wednesdays at 7pm. Admission is free.