New Siegfried & Roy DVD/Video Collection Released; Artist Plans New White Lion Paintings...the Living Art of Siegfried & Roy
Siegfried & Roy have become famous for their performances with exotic animals. In the early years there existed a clear division of labor: Siegfried handled the magic, while Roy did the same with the animals. In time, though, the line has become blurred, so that the audience now thinks of them almost as a single performer. There chemistry on stage is remarkable, not just with each other but with their magnificent menagerie of White Bengal and Siberian Tigers, Magical White Lions, leopards, blank panthers, snakes and even a 4-ton Thai Ceremonial Elephant named Gildah.
Siegfried & Roy are at once beneficiaries and benefactors of the unbelievable popularity of grand illusion on the big stage. Though they are the Magicians of the Century, the world of Siegfried & Roy never stops evolving and venturing into new avenues.
The most recent is the release of the new Siegfried & Roy Collection...a three-video or two-DVD set comprised of: The Magic and The Mystery, their record-setting television special; Siegfried & Roy: "The Magic Box," the original IMAX 3D feature film that describes Siegfried & Roy's childhood and how they came together to create their world-famous stage spectacle, and "The World of Siegfried & Roy, which allows the viewer to go behind-the-scenes during a performance, including bonus footage of White Tigers being followed from birth through their debut Las Vegas performance.
The Siegfried & Roy Collection is available by calling 866/232-1847 or in the Mirage gift stores.
A second project involves famed wildlife and marine artist, Christian Riese Lassen. Hawaiian-based Lassen has photographed Siegfried & Roy's Magical White lions for a new big cat series of paintings.
Lassen's latest project came about through his friendship with Siegfried & Roy and their personal manager, Bernie Yuman. "I love the Siegfried & Roy show," says Lassen. "We all arrived at this idea together. I'm grateful to have the greatest magic show appreciate my work and give me a chance to paint these magnificent beasts."
The plan is to have Lassen paint a dozen images during the next eight months. Each will feature the Siegfried & Roy animals and will be signed by the entertainers. The initial works will premiere at Lassen's Las Vegas gallery in the Forum Shops at Caesars.
Lassen uses a variety of materials to make his art...including acrylics, enamels and oils. His art is widely popular and expresses the artist's concern for the state of the environment.
Lassen, who grew up surrounded by the beauty of Hawaii, says that he "believes in making a difference" through his art. "In my work, I seek to act as a messenger, alerting people all over the world to the deterioration of the global environment, and to the need, as well, for greater understanding and respect for the world's diverse cultures. The Earth's irreplaceable treasures are steadily being eroded, but each of us, collectively and an individuals, can make a difference and must!"
