Skip to main content

Wonderville Magic & Cabaret (Haymarket)


(seen at the press night performance on 16th August 2022)

Dedicated venues for magic have a chequered history in the West End. This new venture, once home of the 'Planet Hollywood' burger, is a mixture of magic and cabaret - and looks set to go the distance.

Second magic show on the bounce after the expansive Ehrlich Brothers event on Saturday night, the monkey was curious how 'Wonderville' could top opening by materialising a helicopter on stage.

Fay Presto is how. A “Magic Circle Close-up Magician of the Year,” her cheerfully pyromaniac pre-show table hopping is like booking the Queen as your warm-up act.

Opening the show proper from a small plinth stage at the back, co-host Desmond O’Connor and his accordion work with Miss Chastity Belt guide us through the evening. Both meander among the seats (when space allows – in-joke), laying a hand on favoured guests (the monkey won’t wash that T-shirt again) and filling the room with warmth.

The pair do best when singing. O’Connor’s “Jungle Book” medley has the entire audience joining in, with one man neatly supplying ‘you eat ants?!’ right on cue.

Chastity Belt’s voice is an experience. “Diamonds Are Forever” sparkles, “London Calling” sounds better than the original and to close the show with a slow “Life On Mars” is an unexpected and inspired choice.

But to rewind, or in fact literally circle back to the start. Opening act Amazi Olayiwola is a returner from previous “Wonderville” shows. A hula hooper of rhythm, strong enough to manipulate multiple heavy hoops at once before turning herself into a glittering human sculpture.

Time for the first magic with Billy Kidd giving us “old babies” the benefit of quick, sardonic American accented wit. Conscript audience member Jamie may never be able to drink another glass of wine.

A short break for his recovery, before the pattern of cabaret artiste followed by magician and pause for drinks and snacks, resumes for the rest of the nearly 3-hour event.

Snookie Mono has a sparkly white suit, and a violin case full of swords which he uses as toothpicks... well... manages to miss his teeth and... One of those acts which either intrigues or repels (as it did one lady in the audience).

Both regular readers know that the monkey is a keen magic fan who does read up on the subject and last year even took the plunge of asking for help to learn a little card manipulation itself – going very slowly but well, thanks for asking. It is always most delighted when it sees an act where it hasn’t a clue how a trick is done, and is happy never to know.

Marc Oberon had the hardy press-night audience begging to be involved in his “numbers” act, and gasping at every reveal. A slick multiplying bottles routine and a little cane-spinning flourish deservedly received the loudest applause of the night.

Thanks to extra tables present on press night, the monkey and rest of table 13 (lucky for some) stood in the aisle to allow Tara Talland to play with her hair. In fact, fasten herself by the top-knot to a hook, kick off from the table-top and perform aerial feats of spinning most likely saving her the cost of gym membership but costing a fortune in cut-and-sets after.

Blundering over the vacated tables, Ritzy Crackers (Abi Collins to her cronies) throws a little of everything – probably not gin – into a bizarre turn incorporating a bit of singing, hula hooping, a cocktail glass and a drama teacher. Clearly a figment of her own imagination, let us hope she continues fantasising.

Final magicians of the night, family act The Matricks opened with Alexander Jesson producing first his sister Emily and then his wife Kelsie from a box. He then levitated his sibling before shutting sister and wife in separate boxes of various sizes and pushing sharp things through the sides to prove they had vanished.

A particularly attractive light show lifted the second box trick to above average, something TV's "Britain’s Got Talent" judges overlooked in unjustified remarks about this act last year. It may also be worth buying a season ticket to the show just to be there the night the two ladies get fed up and take revenge.

The Matricks also make charming use of the TV screens on the walls of the venue to swap the unchanging past magic posters briefly for family album shots. Wonderville and other magicians take note - this is a medium worthy of further use both in display content and possible future illusions.

Taking our leave after a final serenade from Miss Chastity Belt, the whole event adds up to something very British indeed. At the moment it does feel something of a cross between a stage show and holiday camp revue – in need of refining its identity but with a good heart and endearing 'let's muddle through together to the end." Oh, and a pelmet on the curtains please - they look a little tatty at the moment.

Dropping the patchy “back story” of being a resurrected club of a bygone age and being very openly a happening magical cabaret entertainment would help. Freed from a rather narrow stage-style scripting, it would feel more like the Jongleurs Club of the late 1980s, with magicians instead of comedians as the headliners. This adjustment should have the younger crowd queuing to get in on a weekend.

In fact, the age range at whom it is aimed is a little hard to discern. Mostly suitable for a sophisticated 10 year-old's first proper "grown-up" treat, there are parts certainly not family-friendly, which may limit audiences unless the performance is modified at early weekend shows. 

There is great potential for themed weeks or months. Christmas, obviously; but also “Britain’s Got Talent” revealed a young generation of exceptional magicians who would undoubtedly pack this unintimidating room during weekend matinees and school holidays. Producers reading this, feel free to send monkey a press ticket when they do.

Wonderville Magic & Cabaret have created an exciting new West End night-spot, and are well on the way to casting a spell which will enchant the London Entertainment scene for years to come.

Those seeking arena spectacle can wait for Ehrlich Brothers next September. This is an altogether smaller full magic-family affair, and the monkey's favourite kind of close-up wonderment.

4 stars.

Buy Tickets: www.atgtickets.com/wonderville. Advice on choosing seats is available here - scroll down the page past the first venue entry.

Show website: wondervilleuk.com

 

Back To Top