Adults Only Magic Show
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Date Reviewed: 12/09/2019
Review written by Cassie Cheeseman
For a limited season The Showmen are performing Adults Only Magic Show as part of Sydney Fringe Festival. Playing to a full house, this show is part comedy, part magic and all parts naughty.
Adults Only Magic Show is unlike anything else on the market and is practically in an entertainment category of its own. Reminiscent of stand-up comedy, the show engages in a form of dirty humour that relies on audience participation. But what makes the show so unique is the magic components on which the show is based. With a passion for magic and over 15 years combined experience, Sam Hume and Justin Williams effortlessly pull off magic tricks that leave the audience in awe.
A personal favourite was watching Justin get out of a straight-jacket. This classic trick is rarely performed in modern magic shows and coupled with a sexy rush against the clock, it was a true delight. At times the show felt in poor taste in its choice of tricks, such as one where a participant audience member was given a ‘hug’ as a present. These types of acts had an impact on the audience engagement and repetitively through the show audience members would refuse to participate.
There is no doubt that Sam and Justin are incredibly talented. Some of their tricks were so impressive that even now the only way I can envision how the tricks were possible is through placement of actors in the audience, which is almost certainly not the real way! This is especially so for one act which expands across the show and asks the audience to assist Justin in planning his ideal date.
The Showmen acknowledged at the beginning of the show that they had only had a few hours to rehearse in the venue. Unfortunately, this was to the detriment of the show which suffered several audio hiccups including loss of microphone from time to time and overly loud music. The styling of the set itself was basic and given the recurring nature of the performance, there is certainly reason to upgrade the quality of materials used.
The Showmen have identified a gap in the adult entertainment market and found a superb way to keep an older audience occupied and mystified. Whilst the show could benefit from minor refinement, Sam and Justin are immensely likeable personalities whose love of magic comedy is infections. All in all, Adults Only Magic Show is a fantastic must see option for a light-hearted evening filled with laughter and illusion.