Charm, suspense and illusion blend altogether in this tinseling showcase of make-believe. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if its bewitching numbers manage to do the trick.
I put spell on you, and now you’re mine. I wonder why guys run away every time I tell them that. Meh – at least I kept their wallet. Carrying on. What is it about magic that fascinates us so much? Is it just its mind-puzzling deceit that makes its displays so appealing? Or is there something deeper palpitating underneath? Could it be that, in all honesty, we long for such wondrous fraud to be actually a thing? Allowing ourselves to daydream beside the dreariness of the everyday world. Whatever the case, the answer, at least to me, is fairly simple. If there’s a magic show in town, count me in.
Enter West End Magic. What? You don’t expect me to explain what it is about, do you? Sigh – you know how exhausting it is to type what my AI robot comes up with?! Anyway. Families may be in for a treat when taking their little ones to the first montage of illusionism (there you go). Currently on tour, but back to London by the end of the year, the piece is a petite yet powerfully entertaining combine of wonder, humour and, all in all, fun. Featuring a decent range of numbers apart from some amusing (sometimes, even bewildering) interactions with the audience, those in search for an easy, trouble-free evening should look no further. However, if the art of prestidigitation happens to be your forte, you may exit with a thirst for me.
Though regaling us with some shocking surprises, one can’t help but thinking that a few of the renditions look too very much alike to be put one after the other. Not to mention, in addition, that many tricks are not too far away from what we have already seen before in other shows – not compromising the production’s allure, but depraving it from the originality that not only would have made it stand out, but leave us with that infatuating sense of excitement we are expecting in this type of spectacle. Sadly, though never dull or uninteresting, it also never gets to give too much of a thrill except for some selected excerpts.
An enjoyable night out anyhow, West End Magic brings back the sweetness and warmth from our childhood memories – reminding us of those tender moments where, either onstage, TV or even during a family reunion, someone would make our jaws drop through a quick twist of hands – and make us wonder if that fervent wish we all had as kids could ever come true: for magic to be real. Of course, it’s a long way ahead from convincing the skeptics, and could also make a bigger effort at impressing the most cynical. But at least, it’s started on a good point.
West End Magic is currently on tour across the UK. Tickets and venue information are available on the following link.