Magic – Lion and Unicorn Theatre, London

Writer and Director: Hugo Lau

Magic delves into the tumultuous journey of Natalie, a ‘hot mess’, grappling with the profound grief stemming from the loss of her brother. As Natalie navigates her pain through a haze of drinking, smoking, and casual encounters, the narrative unveils the poignant attempts of her loved ones to offer support amidst her persistent efforts to push them away.

Hugo Lau’s writing paints a modern world that resonates with audiences, presenting the raw and relatable landscape of grief through the lens of a Gen Z perspective. However, while this voice adds freshness, the dialogue occasionally lacks depth. Additionally, the story would benefit from tightening unnecessary parts and subplots which don’t seem to contribute to the narrative resulting in an interval-less 95 minutes which occasionally drags.

In contrast to Lau’s largely adept writing, his direction falls short, as transitions between scenes feel disjointed, hindering the story’s momentum. The heavy-handed use of a whiteboard to denote time and location contributes to an amateurish aesthetic, detracting from the story. Furthermore, the scenes themselves lack the tension needed to sustain engagement throughout the production and to get to the heart of the story’s conflict.

Despite these directorial shortcomings, the ensemble cast admirably defends the material, infusing the realism of their characters with nuanced detail. While Honi Cooke’s portrayal of Natalie occasionally lacks the emotional depth required to fully explore the depths of grief, the cast as a whole skilfully embodies the diverse array of characters that intersect Natalie’s journey, each contributing to her gradual path towards acceptance.

Magic, while not without flaws in its execution, still manages to captivate audiences with its fresh perspective on navigating grief. Though lacking in cohesiveness, the play’s exploration of new voices ensures it retains a degree of intrigue for its viewers.

Runs until 16 March 2024