The Magicians Table: New Venue Launch, 11 June @ The Vaults, Waterloo Review by Ryan Beardsley
I’ll be frank, my magical experience extends from watching Paul Daniels on the Beeb as a kid, to when David Blaine lived in that box for a week, so it would be fair to say I’m no expert. However, I do know a thing or two about having a great night, and The Magician’s Table in Waterloo is certainly that!
So what’s it all about, Alfie? Basically, you head into this swanky venue underneath Waterloo where you’re treated to delicious cocktails and exotic canapes whilst about a dozen of the country’s finest conjurers float around entertaining you with sleight of hand, mind reading, card tricks, and all sorts of other mind-bending feats, and that’s just the warm up.
The arc of the night is a tribute to the late, great showman and magician – the all-knowing Dieter Roterburg. ‘Presided over by his doting widow, Calliope, this entire evening of magic and marvels was planned by Dieter. The lights, the layout, exactly who would be invited, to precisely who would perform…’
You are then welcomed into the main hall of The Vaults and seated in groups for the main show, and then it’s kind of like speed dating for magicians; you’re joined by a different illusionist every ten minutes or so, and they spend that time wowing you with their finest work.
We saw six different virtuosos that were all incredible in their own way, but to shout out a few in particular;
Richard McDougall was a consummate showman, genuinely funny, sharp, and his sleight of hand tricks blew everyone’s minds.
Dee Christopher, a self-styled vampire magician, had some amazing props and let our jaws hanging with his mind-reading performance.
Maxwell Pritchard was my personal fave as he picked me to be his assistant (I always envied Debbie McGee) in a trick which saw him miraculously place a ring on my thumb that was already covered by his hanky. I’m still wracking my brains to figure out how he did it.
But like I said, I could write a few words about everyone I saw tonight, they were that talented and it was a true pleasure to be in their company.
If I have one word of critique, the venue is relatively small and when there are 10 different performers all working at the same time, there were occasions when it was difficult to not be distracted by the various sights and sounds, but I’m very much nitpicking.
A fantastic night’s entertainment, I’m probably going to go back so I can see the performers who didn’t make it to my table! Get a ticket you won’t regret it.
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