Cirque du Magique – Wolverhampton Grand

I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of the great Philip Astley who, in 1770, gathered together a disparate band of acrobats, unicyclists, tight rope walkers and stunt performers to entertain the crowd in the gaps of his horse-riding show inadvertently creating what we know today as circus. Over the years the format has grown and evolved with clowns thrown in and a ringmaster added to offer some semblance of authority until it has become today what Barnum bombastically described as “The greatest show on Earth!” and after two hundred and fifty years it continues to grow – and today we welcome its latest incarnation into the ring!

For those of you who thought Richard Cadell was first and foremost the right-hand man of one of the most iconic characters in British entertainment – a character so famous they don’t need any extra publicity here suffice to say their name rhymes with “butty” – then you’d be wrong. Cadell is an illusionist, actor and screenwriter. He’s a Gold Star Member of the Inner Magic Circle – what you have to make disappear to achieve that accolade I can only imagine – and a highly accomplished magician whose prestidigitary proficiency far outweighs that of his notable sidekick – primarily because, unlike his little bear friend, he has opposable thumbs. And now he’s starring in his very own circus. I love a good circus and I’ve seen many from du Soleil to Hussani to Fossett so “a mesmerising spectacle that pushes the boundaries of possibility” sounded too good to miss. Joining Cadell in the ring are Alex McAleer, Rebecca Foyle & Taylor Morgan offering a standard of circus far beyond what we are usually given to expect.

And what we have is a joyous concoction of skills and ability which is both thrilling and totally engaging. Cadell, like his furry buddy, clearly has an interest in boxes and spends a large part of the evening climbing in and out of them in various exciting ways many of which could almost be described as death-defying. He’s a seasoned pro who knows how to delight an audience. Mind-reader Alex McAleer, provides a welcome low-key contrast with small but breathtaking psychic tricks but could, perhaps, invest in better chalk if he wants us to read his predictions on the board. Taylor Morgan delivers a selection of mute close-up magic needing a camera operator to catch the detail, ironically mask our direct view of his tricks – but nonetheless impressive. Ezra Veldman is an outstanding and sophisticated diabolist with a slick and controlled act.

Of course, we can see more confusing and bewildering acts on YouTube, but there’s something utterly compelling watching David Adams built a 20-foot tower of chairs and standing on it or Duo Rock ’n’ Rollers manipulate each other on roller-skates on a very small turning circle when we’re in the room with them. We forget how thrilling it is to see live skill – not behind a screen recorded months but right there – before your very eyes!

Reviewer: Peter Kinnock

Reviewed: 30th October 2024

North West End UK Rating: