Piff and Poppe Magic Shoppe

York Opera House

Two stars one legend one who is fast becoming a legend. That’s Penn Jilette and Piff the Magic Dragon. The latter found fame on Penn and Teller Fool Us many years ago, tonight is, I think, Piff’s first UK theatre tour.

The show is broken down into two halves first Penn dressed in trademarked suit performed his famous tricks first a humorous rope trick and then the dazzling and edge of your seat Nailgun illusion; again I think this is first time on a UK stage.

At three hours long the show delivers in laughs and amazing tricks, Piff in his silky dragon suit is one part talented sleight of hand magician and then the sarcastic belittling treatment of audience volunteers all with not a hint of a smile.

Piff combines the glitziness of Vegas–complete with showgirl and real-life partner -Jade Simone ,it’s very tongue in cheek but hilarious. It’s a strange performance in third act when both magicians dressed as dragons perform what could be described as tacky or gross at worst, certainly different at best.

How many many magicans can make a spectator’s “urine” disappear then appear in an impossible location?! Some tricks seemed to go on rather long, an audience member stood on stage and chose a song to sing which ended up being predicted before hand even Mr Piffles even helped out on a trick, what more do you need?

It’s not without it’s faults as said, some routines fell a bit flat and the video screen work was a little haphazard but that aside it was three hours of entertainment from two senior professionals.

John Mather

Review John Mather ★★★★