Review: Adults Only Magic Show at The Pleasure Garden
Adults Only Magic Show at De Parel Spiegeltent at The Pleasure Garden
Thursday, January 25, 2024
The term ‘Adults Only’ is a good way of luring sceptics into a magic show, provided you mean it when you say, ‘Adults Only’. A long line outside De Parel Spiegeltent under a near-full moon suggested the branding had caught attention and that it would soon prove accurate.
When the lights went down under the red and yellow tent, MC Magnus D. Magnus sparkled onstage, introducing the show by making dirty jokes while slipping in the occasional introductory statement. The assisting AUSLAN interpreter showed just how filthy sign language can be, showing great tolerance when forced to interpret his obscenities. He solemnly warned the audience of the presence of dicks during the show, although attendees saw this more as as something to celebrate. Finally, drawing his introduction to a close, the evening’s performers were introduced. Magnus stepped aside for the magicians; his slick hair, moustache, and smile suggested some less than wholesome intentions for later on.
Justin and Sam, ‘sex magicians’ as they were dubbed by the MC, enthusiastically made their way on stage. As per usual, audience volunteers were required and called up. An opening trick involving a hammer and a volunteer’s phone built great suspense; at one point, it seemed like we were about to witness a master of magic finally choke.
A simple act of making their stylish jackets vanish went astray when everything except a yellow jock strap vanished off Justin. The forces that control adult magic clearly just wanted more. In between tricks, the audience volunteers helped plan his ideal date. While this did seem irrelevant to magic, they also showed a propensity for suspense. A million ideas swirled as to what wonder this would lead to.
After a rundown of the duo’s history, a bit of competition between the performers was thrown into the equation with a race of untangling. A new audience participant assisted Justin in getting into his restraint, while Sam was tied into his by the MC, who had now turned BDSM master. Magnus’ sparkling dinner jacket from before was swapped for a leather bulldog harness and gimp mask. As the magicians made their frantic escapes, Magnus reappeared onstage in the background, trousers removed. One was right to suspect he would cause trouble. The dicks we had been warned about were all revealed as Sam and Justin succeeded in escaping.
But one question still remained: what was the deal with Justin’s ideal date? The fact that it involved him and Borat in the wheelbarrow position made it seem unlikely that this was going to happen—although this is magic after all! While Sacha Baron Cohen did not make an appearance, the relevance of Justin’s ideal date rolled out, creating great mystery. Maybe we just knew him too well.
Sam and Justin showed a classic but well-executed dynamic throughout the show, with Sam being the suave, classy entertainer and Justin the wild and untamed larrikin, desperate to show off his yellow jockstrap. Sam, at times, just had to stop for a moment and get his laughs out during his partner’s antics.
This show is perfect for people who love crude humour, nudity and just a hint of magic. In all seriousness, there is certainly a plentiful amount of magical wonder, but it is hardly the magic shows of mid to late-2000s TV. Some of the filthy content in this show might even ruffle feathers in Vegas!
AJ MAHAR