The Magical Duo

When you think about Las Vegas the first thing that comes to mind is casino gambling, but Vegas is also famous for extravagant shows and performances. Las Vegas is definitely the gambling central in America, but the spectacular shows and fantastic venues make it a primary destination for both performers and audiences. And of course when it comes to performances, one of the most famous and distinctively "Vegasy" one was Siegfried and Roy's magic act at The Mirage casino. The duo are famous for their magic but especially for their work with the big cats, you know lions and tigers (no bears, sorry).

Of course like any famous act they had to struggle to reach the top. They were both born in Germany during the Second World War but while Siegfried was interested in magic from a very young age, Roy found a special bond with a cheetah called Chico at his local Bremen Zoo. The two boys separately continued working with their passions, until they met onboard an ocean liner in 1957, formed a partnership and began working in small unsophisticated clubs all over Europe until they got their big break. Their lives changed forever when they played the casino in Monte Carlo, the gambling capital of Europe and they were the fashionable crowd started to take note of their act. From Monte Carlo they received an invitation to Las Vegas and became known as THE magicians to see.

Well you know you've really made it in show business when Hollywood comes knocking at your door. Siegfried and Roy have been in several films including a documentary film made in 1999 called Siegfried and Roy: The Magic Box which showed how they became the famous magicians and illusionists they are today. The movie was narrated by no less than Anthony Hopkins with the tagline: "A story of hope. A journey of dreams. A life of magic." Besides showing how they began, the film also shows the duo at work with their tricks and their animals — if you are a magic fan, then this is the film to see.

No path is that smooth though, and on October 3rd 2003 trouble found them when Roy was attacked onstage by one of his white tigers named Montecore. Roy insisted that Montecore wasn't attacking him but trying to save him but dragging him to safety when he tripped; a mothering instinct. Nevertheless, he lost a lot of blood when the tiger clamped onto his neck and was taken to intensive care where it was found that he was partially paralysed. Nothing can stop this man though, with the help of his partner he is recuperating nicely and they intend to have a one night charity performance to raise money for the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute in February 2009. Whatever their plans for the future, these two fantastic performers have made a name for themselves that will not be forgotten any time soon, and made Vegas, a place where many wish for miracles, a little more magical.