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Stars join agents onboard Britannia for Astonishing premiere
TravelMole’s editor-in-chief Bev Fearis meets the show’s creators
Stars of stage and screen were in Southampton on Sunday for the premiere of Astonishing, a revolutionary magic and illusion show produced for P&O Cruises by BAFTA-winning presenter and entertainer Stephen Mulhern and performer Jonathan Wilkes.
Stephen Mulhern said: "Astonishing is a show like no other and I get goosebumps just thinking about it.
"Producing this show with Jonny is the culmination of a dream for me. I obviously don’t want to give anything away so all I will say is that it does exactly what it says on the tin and the audience should be prepared to be amazed."
Celebrities who attended the star studded premiere included ITV’s Declan Donnolly and his wife Ali Astall, Good Morning Britain’s Ben Shephard, singer Chesney Hawkes, Coronation Street’s Tristan Gemmill and Matilda Freeman as well as Eastenders and Holby City actress Nadia Wadia.
Astonishing combines the production talents of Stephen and Wilkes with the spectacular dance moves of choreographer Paul Domaine and the trickery of master illusionist Guy Barrett.
Jonathan Wilkes added: "It’s been a long time in the making but the show is now ready and we know that it’s certainly going to be astonishing. We’ve partnered with some of the best in the business – Guy Barrett who is Mr Illusion and Paul Domaine who has worked with Kylie Minogue, Elton John and Stevie Wonder – and we’ve come up with a show that is truly ground-breaking."
P&O Cruises senior vice president Paul Ludlow commented: "As its name implies, Astonishing is an extraordinary and visionary show that is unlike anything seen before on a UK stage.
"Bringing together the world of magic, dance, illusion and mystery, and using the latest technology of the giant LED screens in the theatres, the show will captivate our guests and have them tapping their toes whilst gasping in disbelief as they are wowed with dazzling dance moves and seemingly impossible feats.
"With plenty of surprises for the audience it takes entertainment to an entirely new level and is truly game-changing."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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