In most magic shows women and animals are there to be cut in half or disappeared \u2013 not this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joyful, funny, thought-provoking there\u2019s little traditional about Liz Toonkel\u2019s Magic For Animals<\/em> \u2013 apart from her sparkling sequined outfit, and even that\u2019s vegan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tricks and illusions flow seamlessly through a narrative that revels in finding fun ways to look at human agency, consent and animal rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a queer American Jewish female magician, and animal rights activist, Liz felt the magic show format needed shaking up and needed fresh approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No live animals (though there\u2019s an impressive roster of faux animal performers) or seedy sexism, but lots of \u201cwow\u201d moments, laughter and incisive wit. It\u2019s a take on the world aimed at new, wider and diverse audiences for magic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having already earned praise at the Cincinnati Fringe, Magic For Animals<\/em> will have its UK premiere at this year\u2019s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. An early version of the show played to packed out audiences in Denmark last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Liz said: \u201c<\/em>Historically, womxn, animals and even fish have only existed in magic as props to be cut in half or miraculously disappeared.<\/em> I want to fix that. <\/em>In this show, they are fully embodied subjects given space to speak and swim.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI also want to offer audiences something sparkling and funny that takes on serious issues about how we treat each other and how we treat animals.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/em>I love to employ humour as a political tool, unpacking comedic tropes to push the idea of a world where all beings are happy and free<\/em>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Liz is a skilled costume and production designer with a strong interest in fashion and its relationship to animals. This comes through in everything from her gorgeous custom vegan costume to the fact that a big part of the show centres on a magical \u201ccrocodile skin\u201d Hermes Birkin \u2013 the world\u2019s most famous handbag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She also brings Jewish values to the show, having been inspired by Maimonides\u2019 five steps for the process of repentance: owning the harm, beginning to change, making amends, apologising, and making different choices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Liz thrives on storytelling and her work ranges from performance and installations to film. As well as being a professional magician she is also the production designer who shaped the look of films such as Emily the Criminal <\/em>and the Oscar-nominated Marcel the Shell with Shoes On<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A particular ambition is to serve the LGBTQ community, BIPOC and women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Praise for Liz Toonkel\u2019s work<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA delightful magic show which combines storytelling with a sensitivity towards animals,\u201d<\/em> League of Cincinnati Theatres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA fantastic storyteller,\u201d<\/em> The Sappy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe\u2019s got the dazzle and the patter. She is warm and welcoming, charming \u2013 and quick on her feet,\u201d<\/em> Liz Elcher League of Cincinnati Theatres<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLiz Toonkel\u2019s daring performance \u2026 showed us vulnerability, empathy, and above all humor,\u201d<\/em> LA Dance Chronicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n -Ends- <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Notes for editors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Listings Details<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cast and creatives<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n About Liz Toonkel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Liz Toonkelis an all-around creative force who believes in the storytelling power of design in theatre and visual art. Her work, which ranges from performance, installations, and films, strives to wield a power that serves the LGBTQIA community, BIPOC, animals, and womxn. Recent Exhibitions include Aarhus Festuge with Live Art Denmark, Honor Fraser Gallery, LAX Festival, ltd Gallery and the 2016 Queer Biennial in Los Angeles. Having contributed to over 40 projects as a production designer, her credits include the Independent Spirit Award nominated \u201cEmily the Criminal<\/em>\u201d and A24\u2019s Oscar nominated animated feature \u201cMarcel the Shell with Shoes On<\/em>\u201d for which her work was nominated for an Art Director\u2019s Guild Award. Liz was the first time recipient of the Calarts Distinguished Young Alumnx of the Year Award in 2023 for her work across visual art and film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instagram<\/strong> www.instagram.com\/liztoonkel\/<\/a> Websites: Design<\/strong> www.liztoonkel.com<\/a> Art:<\/strong> www.liztoonkelstudio.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n