Lots of Magic in London
There is so much live magic in the UK's capital city. What spurred this, and will the momentum continue?
London and magicians have long been intrinsically linked, with the likes of Harry Houdini and John Nevil Maskelyne making names for themselves in the big city. However, while magic has continued to conjure its way throughout the capital over the years, it hasn’t been as dominant an art form as back in its heyday.
That isn’t to say London doesn’t still host magic shows. Since the pandemic, shows such as Wonderville, Magic Goes Wrong, The Mind Mangler, Derren Brown’s Showman, and Penn & Teller have graced the city.
Still, magic ultimately feels a little bit on the sidelines – despite many efforts to make it a West End staple. Even in recent years, when big names in the industry have tried to make a runaway magical hit, such as Derren Brown’s Unbelievable, various factors led to these shows closing prematurely.
Nothing has the longevity of, say, Paul Daniels, who played at the Prince of Wales Theatre for nearly two years in the early 80s! Or that of the long-running magic shows of Las Vegas! Or even closer to the UK in Barcelona, where El Mago Pop has built quite the residency.
I do believe that we’re on the cusp of a new golden age of magic in London. It feels as if there’s never been a better time than the present to not only be a magic-goer here but to be a magician as well.
That’s because an impressive number of new and innovative magic shows have recently popped up in and around the West End. It’s currently the last quarter of 2024, and some of the most notable new magic shows that are running in London at the moment include Asi Wind’s Incredibly Human at Underbelly Boulevard, Jamie Allan’s Amaze at the Criterion, Rhythm & Ruse in The Vaults, and The Magician’s Table in… a secret warehouse.
These aren’t just one-off performances or touring shows dropping in and out of town; these are full-on runs. It’s a lot of magic shows to be happening at once, and I think it’s worth talking about.
The question is: why are magicians all of a sudden so keen on taking on the West-End market? And is there something in the air that is not only making audiences want to see more magic shows but also encouraging theatres to book them in?
Furthering Your Career
Well, if the Edinburgh Fringe is the place to start your career, the West End is the place to define it.
Magicians may want to take on London to progress, grow their fanbase, and garner strong reviews that could lead to other ventures beyond the city. Asi Wind is obviously New York-based, so having successfully achieved a 4-star review from the notoriously hard-to-impress Guardian will certainly resonate with his audience back home, now making him not just a renowned magician but an internationally respected one, too.
The same is true for Jamie, who’s built a career traveling the world, performing internationally and on high-end cruise ships. Having a West-End credit under his belt can only be a good thing.
This can also be echoed for the casts of The Magician’s Table and Rhythm & Ruse, who are all professional entertainers in their own right. Being part of a fresh, new, and potentially respected London ensemble is an exciting prospect.
Following The Footsteps Of Others
Next, all of the shows in question have something in common: they’re directly inspired by what’s come before them. It’s as if audiences have been prepped for them without even realizing it.
Take The Magician’s Table and Rhythm & Ruse, for example. Both offer an immersive close-up magic experience combined with cocktails and live music. Immersive theatrical experiences are a modern phenomenon, and there’s clear inspiration from that. But the music isn’t just an afterthought; it’s integral to the storytelling.
