Magic Goes Wrong At New Victoria Theatre, Woking Review

Reviewed by Joanne Hughes

Tantalising tricks and sensational slapstick comedy – at it’s best!

The newly acclaimed MISCHIEF Theatre company descended upon Woking yesterday to thrill and amaze the audience of the New Victoria Theatre with breath-taking tricks and mischief by the dozen. Their thrilling show ‘Magic Goes Wrong’, co-written with Penn and Teller, the world-famous comedy magician duo, presents a band of misfortunate magicians who are staging a magic show to raise funds for the charity ‘Disasters in Magic’, to commemorate all those who have lost their limbs or lives due to mishaps with magical acts.

The band is led by Sophisticato (played by Sam Hill), whose magician father has recently passed away due to an accident involving a large number of magical props falling through the ceiling. Sophisticato, as a child, was not permitted by his father to dabble in magic and, now being in possession of his father’s wand, is relishing in the freedom to perform his magic tricks. Sam plays this character with such gusto and energy, warming our hearts with his plight whilst also enthralling us with his magic and having us in stitches with his mishaps. Sophisticato is joined by the ‘Mind Mangler’, a second-rate clairvoyant who is plagued by a mischievous teleprompt feeding him rude lines, including “The time has come for me to reveal….my xxxxx!”. (editor’s note – word removed) Mickey is the Mind Mangler’s sidekick, who acts as the audience plant and, adorned in several disguises throughout the evening, volunteers to participate in the Mind Mangler’s acts which, inevitably, go wrong! The two elicit audience participation in a ridiculous and humorous manner, highlighting the ineptitude of the Mind Mangler to the guffaws of the spectators. The death-defying ‘The Blade’ ends up injuring himself in every one of his acts, much to the delight and laughter of the onlookers, and the beautiful Eugenia, who had previously been Sophisticato’s father’s assistant, reaches an untimely and rather gaudy end, being sawn in half! The magicians are playfully assisted by the fake German duo, Bar and Spitzmaus, who sparkle throughout in their dazzling costumes.

There are some wickedly hilarious moments involving dead doves, several card tricks and, my favourite, a bare bottom, all of which are mixed together with a number of very clever illusions and topped off with a brief film appearance from the famous, magical Derren Brown, providing us with an evening of sublime entertainment. Unfortunately, following the incidents and disasters that occurred, the magic show was unsuccessful in reaching the fundraising target for the ‘Disasters in Magic’ charity (spiralling out of control and ending in a negative deficit!), however, the magic show was a resounding success with the audience – a wonderful evening of hilarity and magic in equal measure.

The New Victoria Theatre, which is part of the Ambassador Theatre Group, was the ideal venue to host this glorious show. Being housed in Woking’s favourite Peacock shopping centre, this stylish theatre is surrounded by eateries, parking and shops. The theatre’s two bars provide a wide range of drinks and snacks both prior to the show and during the interval. The staff are friendly and helpful, the facilities clean, and the new entry routines for Covid are well managed. All in all, a ‘fun’tabulous evening out!

Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £13 (plus £3.65 transaction fee).
Magic Goes Wrong is at New Victoria Theatre, Woking from 4th November to 6th November, for more information or to book tickets visit https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre/ or call the box office on 0333 009 6690.
New Victoria Theatre, The Peacocks Centre, Woking, GU21 6GQ.