Lucy Darking is a fictional character who possesses the gift of magic. She hails from the mystical land of Arcanum, where magic flows through every facet of life. From a young age, Lucy's talent for sorcery stood out, and she quickly became the apprentice of one of Arcanum's most esteemed wizards. Under her mentor's guidance, Lucy honed her magical abilities and learned to channel the elemental forces of the world. She became proficient in spells related to fire, water, earth, and air, displaying an innate understanding of their intricacies. Lucy's affinity for magic was not limited to elemental spells alone; she also excelled in concocting potions, divination, and even enchanting objects.
“Lucy Darling is one of the most exciting, hilarious magicians to come along in the last ten years” John Lovick
Darling s accent seems like a hodgepodge of Eastern European think Zsa Zsa Gabor and French think Leslie Caron , and I clearly missed a few words while she was performing some portions of her magic. But before she sets about magically mixing their fancy inebriants, the glamorous and sharp-tongued Lucy Darling decided they both needed new personas.
Lucy's affinity for magic was not limited to elemental spells alone; she also excelled in concocting potions, divination, and even enchanting objects. As she grew older, Lucy ventured into the world outside of Arcanum, eager to explore and use her magical skills for the greater good. She joined a group of skilled adventurers and embarked on numerous quests and perilous missions, using her magic to protect her companions and overcome challenges along the way.
Review of “Lucy Darling: Indulgence” by Julia W. Rath for TSP News
Speaking of charms, award-winning magician Carisa Hendrix (stage name: Miss Lucy Darling) is the premiere headliner from now through July 16th. Her show “Indulgence” features magic acts taken from her Las Vegas show. Sassy, sultry, and cheeky, she is smart as a whip in exchanging witticisms with her audience, especially with the men in the first and second rows. The references to alcohol and sexual innuendo (e.g., cherries) are prominent in her flirtatious magic and lighthearted comedy; a lot of this will go over the heads of young children who may be present in the audience (and that is a good thing). The show begins with a random fanning through of a large book containing all sorts of recipes for mixed drinks; and through some mystical power, she is able to create three alcoholic beverages out of one container. There is also a trick, much like a shell game, when she asks a random audience member whether the cherry is located under the cup of the martini shaker—and, if not, where is it? There is a gag where she asks “Who is your favorite wizard?”—and Harry Potter is apparently the right answer. I really loved the part where she changes clothes behind a screen, with one dress more glittery than the next. For me, the least interesting segment has to do with the matchboxes and the room keys. But the showstopper is her very last trick, where she plays with volume and dimension and creates whiskey bottles and half-filled glasses, seemingly out of thin air. The finale, in and of itself, is worth the price of admission.
Darling explains that it takes one year to master six illusions. I didn’t count whether her show consisted of six acts all together, just that it (and the cocktails) flowed very nicely. The curtain on the stage was occasionally drawn to reveal a larger set, while at other moments, she appeared in front of it. Apparently, her assistant Kyle is the one who moves parts of the set around between her featured tricks.
In this 200-seat venue, there is not one bad seat in the house, so the magic can be witnessed very easily. Unfortunately, the sound could have been a bit better. Darling’s accent seems like a hodgepodge of Eastern European (think Zsa Zsa Gabor) and French (think Leslie Caron), and I clearly missed a few words while she was performing some portions of her magic. But hearing every single word is not essential, because the proof is in her slight-of-hand, not in exactly what she says! When one of the men in the audience was brought up onto the stage and a hand-held microphone was used, the sound was absolutely perfect. I felt that a boom microphone hanging from the top of the stage would have helped, since Darling’s very tight clothing plus her costume change would have made using a lavalier microphone very difficult, if not impossible.
In all, we watch Darling stage her tricks of the trade with rapt attention. Her show is highly captivating in large part because she beautifully combines her magic with delightful improvisational comedy. This fun, indulgent, and provocative performance is well worth seeing and makes for a pleasant evening of entertainment.
“Lucy Darling: Indulgence” is playing at the Rhapsody Theater, 1328 Morse Avenue, Chicago, through July 16, 2022.
Tickets: $35-$75, depending on seat location and date of performance, subject to change.
Performance schedule:
Thursdays – 8:00 p.m.
Fridays – 7:30 and 10:00 p.m.
Saturdays – 3:00, 7:00, and 9:30 p.m.
Note that upcoming shows this summer at the Rhapsody Theater will feature the psychic Ross Johnson, Spanish magician Jandro, and the magic artist Zabrecky.
Lucy's magic was not without limits. Like other sorcerers, she drew from a finite reserve of energy, which meant she had to carefully manage and pace her spellcasting during battles and long journeys. Consequently, she learned to rely on her trusted staff, a magical artifact that helped her amplify her magical abilities and acted as a conduit for her powers. Despite her prodigious talents, Lucy faced numerous adversaries who sought to subdue her and exploit her magic. This constant struggle between good and evil tested her mettle and forced her to come face-to-face with her inner fears and desires. However, through determination and the support of her friends, she always managed to prevail and emerge victorious. Throughout her adventures, Lucy Darking used her magical prowess to bring light and hope to the world. Her ability to control the powerful forces of magic allowed her to fight against injustice, protect the weak, and restore balance wherever she went. With each triumph, she grew stronger, both in her magical abilities and as a person, developing into a wise and compassionate sorceress. In conclusion, Lucy Darking's magical prowess is a key aspect of her character. Her journey as a sorceress showcases the challenges and triumphs that come with wielding immense magical power. Through her exploits, Lucy not only showcases her mastery of magic but also teaches important lessons about resilience, friendship, and the ability to overcome adversity..
Reviews for "Lucy Darking's Magic: A Gateway to Other Dimensions"
1) John - 1 star - I found "Lucy Darking Magic" to be extremely disappointing. The plot was weak and poorly developed, and the characters were flat and uninteresting. The writing style felt amateurish, with awkward sentences and repetitive phrases throughout. I had high hopes for this book based on the synopsis, but it failed to deliver on every level. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time with this one.
2) Sarah - 2 stars - "Lucy Darking Magic" was an underwhelming read for me. The concept had potential, but the execution fell flat. The pacing was off, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed and confusing action scenes. The protagonist, Lucy Darking, was supposed to be a powerful magician, but her abilities were never fully explored or explained. Additionally, the dialogue was often cringe-worthy and lacked authenticity. I wanted to like this book, but in the end, it left me feeling unsatisfied and frustrated.
3) Michael - 2.5 stars - "Lucy Darking Magic" had its moments, but overall, it left much to be desired. The world-building was weak, leaving many unanswered questions about the magical realm. The storyline felt disjointed and lacked cohesion, making it difficult to fully invest in the plot. While there were hints of intriguing ideas scattered throughout, they were never fully explored or developed. The characters, including Lucy Darking, felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. This book had potential, but it ultimately fell short of my expectations.