The Greatest Magic Show, is performed at the Palais du Variete in the lush and child-friendly Assembly George Square Gardens.
We are greeted enthusiastically by The Ringmaster, who, after whipping the young (and at times throughout the show, wonderfully mischievous) audience into a greeting frenzy, he explains that he has scoured the Earth seeking a magical Holy Grail… The Greatest Magic Show of all time. Thwarted, he has taken it upon himself to deliver it to us.
The opening smacks of a fairly traditional magic show with a top-hatted, twisty-tached, red and black suited Ringmaster laying down the order of proceedings. This is quickly subverted as we meet our main magicians, Justin and Sam.
Dressed in colourful, trendy jackets they appear as much more contemporary and accessible magic weavers. As a magical duo, they have a brilliantly high-octane partnership, much in line with the wackiest of children’s shows beloved by those of my daughter’s age, who is 7. In fact, the whole hour reminds me of the pacy, unrelenting energy that goes into the popular YouTube videos she so voraciously gobbles up.
A criticism could be that for a show that calls itself the greatest, the tricks are unlikely to surprise many of the adults in the audience. However (and much to their credit), they make it clear early on that this show is very much for the kids and they are going to be loud and demand much volume and fervour in return.
Your children will laugh, gasp and probably clamour to be on the stage in one of the many audience participation moments. Indeed, I witnessed my own child straining to go up; something she hasn’t always felt inspired or safe enough to do at other shows.
The Greatest Magic Show is raucous, energetic and entertaining. Adults, take your earplugs.
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