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Love and Other Magic Tricks
Reviewed by Chris Cox
John Van
der Put is more likely to be known to you as is fantastic alter ego
Piff The Magic Dragon, but in Love and Other Magic Tricks we are shown
another side of this performers imagination.
Part play, part magic show it is a true fringe theatrical experience and one
that puts the joy back into magic.
Loosely telling the tale of a relationship, Van der Put and Maya Politaki
playing his girlfriend take us through their tale with poetic dialogue,
beautiful silent sequences and hidden magical effects that bring a smile to ones
face.
The beauty of the show lies in its simplicity and its desire to have magic as
part of the production rather than obvious trick moments. It's so nice so sit as
an audience member and be surprised as a trick suddenly appears and then not
feel the need to have to applaud it.
Imaginative reworkings of classic effects include a truly heart warming torn
and restored card, a lovers appearance of sponge balls, a Morecambe & Wise esq
breakfast scene and a grand illusion done in the most simple yet effective way...
It's all the better for it.
Strong direction means it never lacks pace and keeps you utterly engrossed
throughout. This isn't your usual magic show but instead a show that reminds us
how magic should be part of our everyday lives and that love might well be the
most illusive trick around.
© Chris Cox, February 2010