Marvel, mystery, and a whole lot of magic – 'Theatre of Magic' at Rydges Hotel in Fortitude Valley is a must-see for anyone who enjoys being astonished. With a mix of world-class illusions, sharp comedy, and some truly mind-blowing tricks, this intimate theatre offers an unforgettable experience. Whether you need a unique date night, a fun family outing, or just looking to inject a little wonder to your weekend, this show is guaranteed to leave you spellbound.
The show was divided into two segments: a captivating 30-minute close-up magic performance by Christopher Wayne, followed by a 45-minute stage act by The Amazing Nigel. Believe me, both were packed with moments that left the audience gasping, laughing, and whispering, “How?!”
From the moment you walk in, the magic duo of Christopher Wayne and The Amazing Nigel made sure every single person felt welcome. They personally greeted each audience member at the door, and Nigel even went the extra mile to memorise everyone’s names. That’s right – he knew every person by name. And by the end of the night, we were all laughing together like old friends.
Christopher Wayne, renowned Vegas headliner and one-half of The Naked Magicians (though fully clothed on this occasion I assure you), exudes pure charisma. His comedy is quick, charming, and never awkward or cringey, with a knack for keeping the audience completely mesmerised. His tricks? Astonishing of course. He casually produced a bowling ball out of an art book, amazed us with a clever celebrity "Guess Who" trick, and left us in awe with his sleight of hand card tricks. But the moment that absolutely floored me? The Coke can trick. Right before our eyes, he took a crushed, empty can, restored it, refilled it, and resealed it—only to dramatically shake it and pop it open, spraying soda everywhere.
Then there's The Amazing Nigel—and believe me, "amazing" doesn't even begin to cover it. His performance is a flurry of magic, mischief, and memory tricks. One moment, he's showcasing an incredible memory feat; the next, he's executing a full-scale magic trick with an old banana or a newspaper. But the most astonishing moment for me? The $100 bill and the lemon. I watched the bill vanish before my eyes and transform into a $5 bill, only for the $100 to reappear inside an uncut lemon. HOW?
Nigel's act radiates a wonderfully chaotic energy that appears entirely spontaneous, yet each move is carefully crafted. A memorable moment was a trick where he revealed the secret to the audience while keeping it concealed from the participants—a clever touch that had us all laughing at their expense. And just when you think you've figured out his strategy or a trick seems to have gone wrong, he astounds everyone by completely turning the tables with some truly unbelievable feats.
Throughout the night, the audience participation was perfect. Willing legends were called up (by name of course) to assist with tricks, props were distributed, which they got to keep (ranging from awesome items like a block of Toblerone or a sandwich maker to utterly pointless ones like a slice of cheese or a piece of rope). Even the smallest details were thoughtful – from the customised letter cards to the Lindt chocolate on each seat, everything felt premium and personal.
By the end of the show, one thing was clear – unless you are a total bummer, this is a show you’ll want to see again. I overheard some audience members who were on their second or even TENTH visit, and honestly? I get it. With a rotating lineup of magicians and ever-changing tricks, no two shows are exactly the same. And with 'Theatre of Magic' performing every weekend in Brisbane (plus a monthly show in Toowoomba), it’s the perfect excuse to relive the magic and experience the wonder once more.
So, if you enjoy magic, laughter, and a touch of absolute WHAT-THE-HECK-DID-I-JUST-WITNESS, do yourself a favour – grab a ticket, sit back, and prepare to be amazed.
Theatre of Magic is suitable for ages 10+; $69 to $89 for VIP seating; theatreofmagic.com.au
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