It's a Kind of Magic
The Magician's Table (The Vaults Theatre, Waterloo) Guest Review by Dr Terror
Bud and Chesney might have observed that underneath the arches, they'd dream their dreams away - but here, just outside Waterloo Station, while you hear the trains crashing by above, something distinctly magical is going on.
If you love a spot of conjuring, from the most intimate of close-up illusions to large, elaborate set-pieces, not least the 'Magician's Table's itself, a large immersive space filled with mysterious lighting, dry ice smoke, posters featuring the likes of Thurstone and Houdini and some rather delicious cocktails (do try the chocolate orange double espresso martini, if I remember the details correctly) beckons you in.
The setup is that this is a memorial for the recently-deceased greatest magician in the world, Dieter Roterberg, hosted by his widow and brother. Dieter may be six feet under, but is evidently trying to entertain all concerned from beyond the grave, his death mask rumoured to be inhabited by his spirit.
A series of enormously talented and vastly entertaining close-up magicians go from table to table - I was particularly impressed by a vampire mind reader - and all aim for your funny bone. I've seen plenty of this kind of thing over the years and this was exceptional.
As you sit, cabaret-style tables of 8 to 10 and watch the beauty of the illusions unfold, it's not unlike being at one of Derren Brown's shows but being reasonably certain that every person will be the centre of attention at some point and what a giddy thrill that is. There are multiple performances most days.
'Life is Magic' runs Dieter's motto. Down here, it sure is!