‘Ultimate Variety’ offers bit of everything

Joe Delaney

Friday, Dec. 21, 2001 | 9:27 a.m.

Producer Will Roya -- juggler, magician and comedian -- put together an all-new production, "V -- The Ultimate Variety Show," in a matter of days when magician David Darkstone made a sudden exit from the New Frontier.

Roya's new effort is nicely together, compact, more varied fun than its predecessor. Roya also stars as Silly Willy, participating throughout.

Roya opened with five minutes of nonsense, nicely setting up magician Raushan Hammond, a prestidigitator who makes doves turn into scarves and vice versa. Hammond had a featured role, appearing in a key scene with Robin Williams in the film, "Hook," which was shown first on large screens on either side of the stage.

Hammond is a thorough professional, a rotund young man with an easy, affable approach who brought members of the audience onstage with him, resulting in appreciative applause at numerous points. Roya interrupted him for a bit of banter to cover a set change for an overlong illusion involving a candle and some string. Here it was a triumph of personality over content.

Roya did a bit with a disappearing bottle for comedic effect before he actually made it disappear. Next, he introduced Maria Malachikhina, a 10-year old contortionist, a delightful youngster who was the epitome of grace, assisted by her father, Nikolai, who walked about, keeping time with the music when not assisting his daughter -- a charming change of pace.

Next, Roya was a juggler, first with balls that glowed on a darkened stage. Then he juggled while eating an apple, followed by another stint as he played harmonica. This led into an example of his dexterity with the diablo, the Chinese version of the yo-yo, and closed juggling three fiery torches.

Nikolai and his wife, Nina, closed the just-short-of-an-hourlong performance with a "change" act where the duo changed costumes rapidly, a throw-back to the vaudeville days and the late Owen MxcGivney, the master. This you have to see to fully appreciate. Tonight through Sunday their son, Vladimir, will appear with his award-winning hand-balancing act.