Adelaide Fringe review: The Maho Magic Bar is full of surprises

Recreating the feeling of the famous magic bars dotted throughout Tokyo, The Maho Magic Bar has set up shop in Adelaide Fringe‘s Garden of Unearthly Delights. The Garden itself is probably the best known hub of the Fringe, in the parklands east of Rundle Street in Adelaide.

While the clientele relaxes in the outside bar waiting for the Maho Magic Bar to open, a hostess moves amongst them and allocates each person a table number. Inside, there are four individual bars with a large centre table. On the evening that we attended, there were about six customers per bar. On the plus side, this meant everyone could get a good view of the five magicians rotating through the bars. However, the smaller crowd likely didn’t have the same energy as a crowded raucous late night session.

Shirayuri is described as the “Mixologist of mischief” and has a fast paced, witty style about him. Kaori Kitazawa is a Kawaii princess of illusion and makes cards change right before your very eyes. Between the acts, there is a chance for anyone in the audience to purchase a special trick from the menu. This then involves an hilarious audience participation act in the centre of the bar. It’s all in good taste in the end, even if there is some mild embarrassment along the way.

The quality of the tricks varied from mind-blowing to being as feeling a little still in development, but there is such a quick pace that we soon move onto the next. There’s lighting, smoke effects, and a driving music beat that helps keep the energy levels up. However, this type of performance really feeds off audience energy and evening shows would likely be more dynamic.

It’s a light-hearted way to experience the unique phenomena of the Japanese magic bars – all while never having to leave the equally unique magic of the Fringe garden!

FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)