Presented by: Gluttony
Reviewed: 12 February 2016
Look, nothing up my sleeve!’. That’s a quote often heard in magic acts around the world. Used to ensure punters aren’t being tricked by small animals stuffed in clothing and wires holding hidden cards, the saying is there to ensure what everyone seeing is ‘magic’. The Naked Magicians haven’t needed to use this phrase in the years they have been doing their act. An annual Fringe tradition, their show features the two magicians wearing nothing but cheeky smiles. Nude they certainly are which some audiences may find confronting. Most will enjoy the cleverness in their performance as their non-clothing policy strips them of any place to hide. All is laid bare – so to speak – with a dizzying array of traditional and often naughty tricks sure to bedazzle audiences.
Fronted by Christopher Wayne and Mike Tyler, the duo appeared on stage clothed. Gradually layers were peeled off in terms of attire and audience participation. The latter is a huge part of the show’s fun as my plus 1 found it to their horror! Called onto stage for the ‘smash your mobile phone in a numbered bag’ trick, he took his unscheduled appearance in his stride. Thanks to the ease in which Christopher and Mike made him feel comfortable, he was able to survive mostly unscathed! His participation mirrored the duo’s overall determination that everyone shed their inhibitions and have fun. Yes, it’s a very naughty show that would even make the cast of the Carry On movies blush, but it is fun which is exactly what last night’s mostly female audience wanted.
Choosing audience members via a certain inflatable object, The Naked Magicians turned their tricks into wickedly funny delights. Cards, darts, locked boxes and other unmentionable paraphernalia were used to great effect, stirring up the crowd even further. That’s part of their appeal, as they were fearless in conjuring laughs with the magic secondary. The show’s pacing was well done as was the use of colourful lighting and music. Hearing ABBA’s Dancing Queen and Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive while watching them get out of straight-jackets is a sight rarely seen. An amusing sight however with the magicians’ gift for comedy apparent.
The show’s climax does indeed see them get very naked. By this time the audience were in raptures due to the humour. The Naked Magicians have great chemistry and know how to entrance their viewers. Whilst their nakedness is certainly – for want of a better term – titillating, it again highlights their bravery in going full throttle for laughs. Their magic was very good too with the ‘how did they do that?’ question going into overdrive. By the end, everyone was satisfied by a very salacious production. This certainly isn’t a show for the sexually conservative or the erotically deprived with the more open-minded person ensured to gain much from a mischievous but highly impactful experience.
Rating out of 5: 5
Reviewed by: Patrick Moore
Twitter: @PatrickMoore14
Venue: Gluttony – The Octagon
Season: 12 – 21 February 2016
Duration: 60 mins.
Tickets: Adult: $39.00, Bank SA Customer – $35.00, Companion Card, Group 6+ – $33.00, TREv – $35.00, VIP seating – $45.00.
Bookings: Book online through the Adelaide Fringe website or phone Fringe HQ on 1300 621 255
https://www.facebook.com/ADLfringe
https://www.youtube.com/user/adelaidefringeinc
https://www.instagram.com/adlfringe/
https://www.pinterest.com/adlfringe/
http://www.yelp.com.au/biz/adelaide-fringe-norwood
More News
