Step inside a world where magic is always just a few inches away — and where the evening’s biggest mystery might be what happens next.
‘The Magicians Table’ is no ordinary magic show. The immersive experience, fresh from London, has arrived in Philadelphia for a limited engagement at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, inviting audiences into an enchanting evening of close-up illusions, unexpected surprises and a little theatrical mischief.
Inside an intimate space, you’ll enter the fictitious world of Dieter Roterburg, the late, legendary magician whose friends and fellow performers gather to celebrate his life. As the story unfolds around you, magicians make their way to your table, bringing the magic within arm’s reach through card tricks, sleight of hand, music, comedy and storytelling.
Guests can order snacks and themed cocktails while soaking up the atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind experience. Arrive early to enjoy pre-show entertainment at the private bar, where the evening’s magic begins before you even take your seat.
But be sure to keep your eyes open — Dieter may just have one final trick up his sleeve.
Executive Producer Thomas Greenwood-Mears recently sat down with Metro to share what makes ‘The Magicians Table’ such an unforgettable night out, what audiences can expect and how local performers are helping bring magic to life.
'The Magicians Table' launched in London two years ago and I knew immediately that we had stumbled across something special. The combination of audiences stepping through doors into another world with a beautifully crafted story, incredible close-up magic, and delicious cocktails throughout the night was clearly going to be a success wherever you were. So the natural next step was to bring it to an American audience as soon as possible.
I developed this with Iain Sharkey, who has an impressive and extensive magic background. I have zero magic background, having come from theatrical touring. This combination has meant we approach the experience from very different places and I think it’s this that has made this experience so unique and special.
It’s incredible. You don’t get many opportunities to see close-up magic, and that in itself is extremely special. But, on top of that is a unique opportunity to perhaps connect with people who were strangers at the beginning of the night — personally I hate forced interaction with people I don’t know, but [the show] creates the sort of environment that makes it the most natural thing in the world. The cocktails help as well.
He’s the lynchpin behind the entire evening, the reason we're all there, the reason all the magicians are there. Without Dieter, there’s no show! He is, of course, completely made up!
Not too many. We were conscious of bringing a UK show to an American audience, but frankly, American audiences are so much more generous and willing to play along than their British counterparts. We could learn a thing or two in the UK!
None at all. The standard of magicians we have working on every show we do is so high; they know exactly what they’re doing and keeping the audience engaged is the least of our problems.
That’s one of the best things about this show — the local talent we bring into 'The Magicians Table' really shows off what Philly has to offer in terms of talent, and Philly should be very proud with the magic talent it has.
Yep… but I can’t say more than that!
'The Magicians Table' takes place at SEI Innovation Studio in The Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., now through Nov. 22.
This show is for audiences ages 18 and older.
Ticket options include single tickets, table bookings, and VIP packages. Tickets can be purchased online at ensembleartsphilly.org, by calling 215-893-1999, or in person at the Academy of Music Box Office, 240 S. Broad St.
For additional information, visit ensembleartsphilly.org
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