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Amethyst presents; Top Secret - The Magic of
Science
The Little Theatre, Leicester
28th May 2025
Reviewed by Neil Roberts
I
recently got the opportunity to see this show on its current nationwide
tour. Having known Danny Hunt for more years that either of us want to
admit I was interested to see how things would pan out. Presented in the
style of a children’s TV presenter Professor Danny and his lab assistant
Crazy Kazy performed “magic that looks like science and science that
looks like magic”. One word that sums up the show is enthusiasm, both
from the performers and generated in the audience’s responses.
To put together a show that will hold the interest of all ages from
toddlers to grandparents is no mean feat, but Danny and Steph (who is
out of the show at the moment awaiting a happy event) achieve this
superbly. Very reminiscent of the Royal Society Christmas lectures.
Although a lot of it will be new to the younger members I am sure a
number of the parents and grandparents remembered these items from
schooldays (as did I), most of which are no longer allowed due to health
and safety.
A perfect example of a show that “packs small, plays big”, a few
banners, a couple of boxes and two tables, make for a striking stage
set, even incorporating a “set change” between the two halves.
Lots of audience participation, from involving everyone with the spiral
disc hypnotic head shrink, various children are brought on stage for
many items, and one of the dads is used each time an adult helper is
needed which becomes a running gag. Having to endure the hydrostatic
glass over his head, having his phone blown up, which finally reappears
in the battery used to power the prop and results in him receiving one
of the biggest rounds of applause. Classic tricks like the hydrostatic
glass and Stodare silk to egg are performed “as is”. To close the first
half two “custard bombs” resulting in big plumes of flames.
Along with the showier effects were a few smaller quiet items, new to me
was the “energy tube” a clear tube with lights inside that lit up when
the two ends were held and even when one person held one end another the
other and would only light when they touch hands to complete the
circuit. Danny explains exactly how it works (science) but it still
looks impossible (magic).
The second half opened with Crazy Casey standing on three lightbulbs,
which when lit it made for a great visual image. There were frequent
warnings to “don’t try this at home”, although I did wonder how many
would have a Van de Graff generator lying around. This was used in a
great sequence with sparks, hair raising etc and led very easily into
the “electric girl”, lighting a fluorescent tube, fire brand and ending
with our audience member standing on the box and lighting a lightbulb
(another example of using a magic trick in with “real” science
experiments).
The big finale and messiest effect was the classic “mentos in coke”
volcano. Done with three bottles of coke and almost hitting the roof
(and the front row).
So, is it magic, or is it science? The answer is “yes”! But whatever it
is, it is pure entertainment. If this show comes near you then you
should take your children, and if you haven’t got children then go
anyway.
© Neil Roberts, June 2025