West End Magic – Harrogate Theatre

Creator: Oliver Tabor

A show calledWest End Magic arrives with a promise of prestige, polish and spectacle. Created and curated by award-winning magician Oliver Tabor, this variety-style performance assembles a small cast of magicians and illusionists, with potentially different ones at each venue on the tour. While the evening offers plenty of fun and a few genuine gasps, it sometimes struggles to live up to the glittery expectations its title sets.

Opening the show is Tabor himself – a silent, suave, old-school magician whose act is accompanied by a slightly cheesy soundtrack. His sleight-of-hand tricks are familiar fare for seasoned magic fans (yes, that levitating table again), and though his props are high quality, the misdirection sometimes slips – possibly an off night for him. The kids, however remain smiling throughout – a reminder that this show is pitched to families as much as magic aficionados.

The format offers a variety of styles and flavours, and the compere keeps things moving along. Jezzo brings welcome energy and charisma, and is the standout magician of the show, with a chaotic, fantastic second set involving a walking pad, shell suit, fire and rubber chicken. Vicky Butterfly pops in occasionally adding a touch of theatrical elegance with LED butterfly wings and an ability to appear and disappear in Tabor’s set pieces. The vibe occasionally leans towards a nostalgic, end-of-the-pier vibe, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

There are certainly “how did they do that?” moments, and Tabor’s own silent set pieces – birds appearing, objects vanishing and appearing in time to music – showcase his skill and commitment. But not every trick lands. During one set late in the first half, a couple of effects fell flat, which momentarily dulled the show’s momentum. And the final illusion – a levitating girl – was polished but predictable, closing the evening on a slightly safe note.

Technical niggles – a screen cutting to black mid-card trick climax and a 20-minute interval that overstayed its welcome – added to the sense that a little tightening and rethinking could lift this show from good to great. When you invoke the term “West End,” expectations naturally soar – and while there’s talent on show here, the staging and structure don’t always reach the lofty bar the title implies.

Still, for an afternoon or evening of accessible family-friendly magic,West End Magiclargely delivers – just don’t expect it to reinvent the wand.

Reviewed on 19th April 2025.