(seen at the performance on 13th September 2025)
Whilst playing the Apollo Hammersmith is a pinnacle of magicians’ achievement in London, performing at the London Palladium is one of the greatest things any artiste can do – whether on stage or out on its balcony.
Firmly indoors, monkey’s magic idols Penn & Teller celebrate 50 years together with 10 sold out nights of “just how the (insert expression of amazement here – keep it clean) did they do that” in the world’s best-loved variety house.
Variety is the word. SPOILER ALERT arrive early to catch Penn jamming with their versatile pianist. Stick around at the interval too, for a video history of the act as you have never seen it before. SPOILER ENDS.
Over 80% of this show is new to the UK stage (a few bits have been on television before, but are way better live). It’s wild, often interactive and warmer and deeper than before.
Most of all, it is immaculately constructed. You may think it is just a string of random stuff, but there’s always a reason.
Kicking off with strangling a small child in the name of religious faith (they are still anarchists at heart), the second trick involving a handful of coins and a jar of jelly beans is their usual way of ensuring other volunteers are rewarded as they take part.
In fact, remember to check out what they want you to do in the foyers and venue aisles, in order to play your part.
“Monkey Soup” gets an airing. It’s brilliant, and you will never skip a Spanish lesson again.
First of the ones the monkey hasn’t seen involves scribbling on Teller to predict a card. You may think the pack is dodgy, but it is inexplicable.
More explicable, the doughnut on a string doesn’t explain how Teller keeps the weight off every night… and is pure Penn & Teller telling us that they are revealing secrets when really…
In typical style, “Dream Battle” is a long sequence with the audience heavily involved as it builds up to an unforgettable payoff. Taking a guess that some paper got into a pocket at some point, but it’s the art and sends us off into the interval happy.
Act two, another classic, the inflatables – with a cute kid supplied from the audience once more.
Penn has trouble with a chicken (and his water bottle – the yelp was hilarious), Teller even more so, and a monkey adds to the confusion. It’s a substitution, and from row B this monkey didn’t have a clue on the method.
It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack, which is exactly where the duo go next. You won’t believe it, but it’s another stunner.
For all who doubt, despite Penn explaining they couldn’t afford all the stooges needed in a show like this, there remains a large number. Non-believers are herded on to the stage and made to repent via a bible reading, another brand-new twist on a classic magic routine, done their way.
Atrophy, the finale is mind-blowing and ties the entire show together in a knot Teller will probably cut and make whole again. It’s that kind of a show.
Giving always maximum credit to their own team and also that of the Palladium – from cleaners to the lowliest manager, the classiest pair in magic take their leave, leaving us with end-credits before the lights come up.
This duo will always produce something laconic, sardonic, rebellious, fun and inexplicable. Gloriously smooth, one magic fans will need to see and which should convert a fair number of those who are willing to lend credulity to the idea of the hand being quicker than the eye.
5 stars, standing ovation given.
Oh, and they are still having problems with the Royal Variety Performance raccoons. So is the monkey – it thought it knew how they got that card in there… it was wrong. As usual.
Very limited tickets are still available at www.lwtheatres.co.uk.