Festival International Vive La Magie - 18ème Edition

A landmark rendezvous for wonder in Lyon

We are delighted to welcome Festival International Vive La Magie – 18ème édition to our Lyon stage, a benchmark event that gathers some of the most inventive illusionists from around the world. From our vantage point as host, this new edition reflects a vibrant artistic moment for the production: a refined staging concept, a sharper dramaturgy that threads the acts together, and a renewed palette of visual effects that speak to all generations without language barriers. The show’s creators have assembled a cast that balances poetic visual pieces with high-energy, laugh-filled interludes, ensuring families, first-time spectators, and seasoned magic lovers all find their own spark of astonishment. Our audience in Lyon has long embraced productions that blend elegance and surprise; this visit aligns perfectly with that appetite, offering acts that move fluidly from intimate sleight-of-hand to large-scale illusions, always with a sense of theatricality that plays beautifully in our auditorium.

What to expect on our stage

From the moment the curtain rises, the production’s attention to rhythm and contrast is evident: silent manipulations set to cinematic sound design, playful interactive moments that draw laughter and gasps, and dazzling stagecraft that folds light, shadow, and perspective into the art of deception. Our technical team has tailored lighting, video, and sound to give each discipline its ideal frame—sleight-of-hand is supported with crisp camera relays when needed, while grand illusions enjoy broad, sculpted beams and dynamic tracking that highlight the scale without revealing the secret. Sightlines in our house make the visual magic readable from stalls to upper levels, and the pacing alternates between breathless spectacle and contemplative reverie. Expect contemporary touches—digital imagery, shadow theatre, quick-change artistry, and mentalism—interwoven with the timeless charm of classic magic techniques, all delivered with the warmth and humor that have become hallmarks of the festival’s personality.

Artistically, the 18th edition underlines the creators’ ongoing commitment to renewal: fresh international talents share the bill with seasoned masters, and the curation emphasizes originality over repetition. The show embraces today’s tastes—clean, cinematic aesthetics; music that frames emotion rather than overwhelms; and storytelling that invites the audience to participate in the mystery. For families, the all-ages design keeps the experience inclusive and safe, while still offering connoisseurs the layer of finesse they crave in technique and misdirection. As hosts, we’ve focused on making the reception and flow effortless so that the art remains front and center: a welcoming foyer experience, comfortable seating, precise transitions between numbers, and an environment where applause and laughter can live freely. In a city known for its discerning cultural scene, Festival International Vive La Magie – 18ème édition arrives as both celebration and discovery, a chance to encounter new stars of illusion and to savor the living tradition of stage magic at its most polished and generous.