Columnist Joe Delaney: Magic — and much much more

Joe Delaney

Friday, July 25, 1997 | 9:05 a.m.

SIEGFRIED & ROY are solely responsible for the renaissance of magic as a major performing art this past quarter century, not only in Las Vegas but throughout the world. ... The duo started as a featured act in local production shows in the late 1970s. ... It was in 1981 that they starred in the first magic show, at the Frontier Hotel.

Prior to their coming to Las Vegas, the late Harry Blackstone might play the Fremont Hotel for a week or so once a year. ... There was an occasional specialty act like The Amazing Ballantine. ... Magic meant very little back then as a viable entertainment performance form.

"Beyond Belief," a Kenneth Feld production, ran nearly seven years at the Frontier, always a "tough ticket." ... In 1986, they took time off for an audience with the Pope. ... S&R left the Frontier in 1988 and embarked on a world-wide tour, prior to their debut at the Mirage.

Japan a success

That year, Siegfried & Roy set an all-time attendance record during their eight-month tour of Japan, playing to more than one million people and grossing more than $55 million. ... In 1989, they broke a 57-year old record for attendance and gross receipts during a four-week engagement in New York's Radio City Music Hall.

During these past seven years at the Mirage, they have filled the 1,500-seat Siegfried & Roy Showroom twice nightly, five nights a week, approximately 40 weeks a year, at $89.95, the top ticket price in town.

Lance Burton, David Copperfield, Penn & Teller, and all the others in main showrooms and lounges everywhere owe a tithe to Siegfried & Roy for making magic and illusions the most popular performing art form throughout the world today. ... These amazing statistics are only part of the duo's worldwide accomplishments.

Equally important

Just as vital is their work with endangered animal species such as their "Living Classroom" breeding program together with the Zoological Society of Cincinnati. ... S&R started with two white tigers and a white tiger cub. ... Today, that family has grown to more than 40, now celebrated as the Royal White Tigers of Nevada.

In 1994, with only 10 White Lions of Timbavati in captivity, none in the wild, Siegfried & Roy were approached by the Zoological Society in South Africa to help save the White Lions. ... Today, there are 11 in Las Vegas alone. ... They can be found in Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden at the Mirage along with other animals in a controlled natural habitat.

Las Vegas has no better entertainment ambassadors than Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, Siegfried & Roy, Superstars of Magic, conservationists and philosophers.

In conclusion

Steve Wynn and Kenneth Feld are major factors in the many accomplishments of Siegfried & Roy. ... Wynn and all concerned at the Golden Nugget deserve extra credits for making the incredible Doveiko Aerialists part of the Fremont Street Experience this summer. ... See you next Thursday.