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Jamie Allan's "Amaze" Show Review
I have waited a long time to see Jamie Allan perform on the stage live. I've attended his live magician's lecture, read his book, followed his online show and enjoyed his work from afar while following his career. At last I finally got to see him perform on a UK stage after many projects and shows have kept him busy internationally.
When this show was announced, I had already heard some rumours that the show was coming to London and I bought tickets immediately. The team behind this show consists of established artists who are all experts in what they do. It is an amazing collective of people which inludes Jamie Allan's right hand man Tommy Bond, along with magicians Jonathan Goodwin (Director), Harry Du Cruz (Consultant) and Natalia Love (Stage Manager). Just some of the amazing creative team who are responsible for helping Jamie bring us this show (click here for the full team).
"I heard a saying recently which I think sums up my feelings on the matter: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”" - Jamie Allan
Ticket costs range in price to meet all budgets and VIP front row(s) tickets which include a post show meet and greet with Jamie are also on sale.
My daughter and I travelled to London and made our way to the Marylebone Theatre. What an absolute amazing and beautiful theatre, intimate in size holding about 200 and this show appeared pretty much sold out.
It will quickly become difficult to buy tickets as the show is on a limited run and is only showing until Friday the 24th of August. Most shows are marked as selling fast on the booking site. To get the dates and seats you want, I would move fast before they are sold out.
Show times
Monday to Fridays 7pm show start
Saturdays 4pm and 7pm show starts
Sundays 4pm
"We think the Marylebone Theatre is an absolute gem. For a theatre that is just over 200 seats." - Jamie Allan
The foyer is setup with a merchandise stand selling a good selection of Jamie's products. Some professional effects and books are available for magicians or those who aspire and then magic sets ideal for the younger audience members and beginners of any age. A really nice stand and quality products and I have seen some shows miss this as an opportunity. Jamie does hang back at the end of shows as well if you need to know anything or say hello.
On sale are:
Beginner
Jamie Allan''s Amaze - The Classic Magic Kit
Professional Magician Items
iMagic
While this is a new show in the UK, the previous run last Christmas was actually in Chicago in the US and received many postive reviews. My daughter and I were so excited to finally get the chance to see this show.
"We have significantly developed the story and some of the methodology, but the core of the show remains the same as in Chicago. It will always be a development in process." - Jamie Allan
Prior to the show start, Jamie’s company stage manager Natalia Love welcomes visitors and interacts with the audience to complete a little task. The show does start promptly so do allow enough time to get seated and take in some great 80's music that is played to help set the scene of the show which starts by taking you back to 1982. But as a spoiler free review, some specific details in this write up are going to be limited or vague to avoid giving too much away.
The audience was mixed in age with many families and children, perhaps around the 8 to 12 age group. This makes sense as this review took place on a Saturday afternoon show at 4pm and the show is marketed as family entertainment. My observation was that this particular audience was preliminary lay persons (Sat 4pm show) which is ideal as I could then observe audience reactions from a seat slightly further back in the theatre. Jamie does of course attract many magicians who flock to see him in the same way that we all did last summer for Penn & Teller. The main difference being this is a longer run and the theatre is smaller. Therefore, you will get a good view regardless.
Other observations were that the set was open and consisted of three key areas along with a massive digital screen, as Jamie is of course the original iMagician. Many props were also on display and sound, lighting and music was already important before the show even started.
Throughout the show, sound, lighting and music was excellent and this greatly enhanced the immersion of the experience. I was able to completely switch off from reality and be drawn into the show. The digital screen is not only used to support for story telling but also video work to capture close up magic needing extra visual enhancement. Even this is polished as Natalia Love provides excellently focused and steady camera work. If you get this wrong, you can lose your audience.
If you haven't guessed already, this show has high production standards and you get your money's worth. The show length is 80 minutes ,without any interval, which is ideal as it keeps the pace flowing fast. No doubt an expensive production.
"It’s story-led and has so much truth in it, unlike most magic shows. It also does not start nor end with a magic trick." - Jamie Allan
As for the show itself, Jamie narrates the story confidently as you would expect and he captivates the audience with an amazing back story of how he got into magic. Making the point that we all have aspirations in life as to what we want to achieve and what we perhaps end up doing. Jamie of course aspired to be a magician.
While I did already know a lot about Jamie's back story, this production still breathed new life into the tale with the narration and animated digital imaging. I loved the references to his early magic items/props and how they were acquired with the help of his supportive parents. Early magic effects in this production used toys from Jamie's childhood. The effects are also tied to a timeline as Jamie demonstrates skillful advanced techniques as the story progresses. I also appreciated referencing to magic history and to artists of this trade like "The Great Cardini." Lots to discover and some amazing coincidences. You will be taken on a journey.
This is an experience that I will not forget for a long time. While I had seen many of the effects before, I had not witnessed Jamie Allan perform them and bring them to life. Everything used is part of the story and has relevance as to why it is happening. Personal highlights for me had to be seeing Jamie perform his digital art, the glass penetration effects and manipulation of playing cards. WOW! This is when you get to see this master at work presenting and performing magic in a way that is unique to Jamie. This alone making the trip to see the show worth it before you even account for all the other excellent content which includes mentalism and props to support ranging from toys, cubes, coins, playing cards, ribbons and string.
Jamie and Natalia are both excellent when interacting with the audience and in particular with the children. Expect a lot of interaction and humour during this polished production. Having personally reviewed over 60 magic shows since the site began, this show will definitely fall into the "memorable" rather than "forgettable" category. Certainly the ending is very memorable with a nice reveal.
Observing my daughter, and the audience, the reaction was positive throughout. With many in the UK admitting that they have not seen live magic, many audience members will not have seen any of this before.
I could hear conversations of some trying to work out how something may be done or gasps of disbelief which was a good reaction to witness. I have to admit, I was scratching my head at times as well.
The audience definitely enjoyed the performance and the show ended with a rapturous applause. I thought the show was worth a standing ovation though and I know other performances closed out in that manner. My suspicion is that it didn't happen as so many children were in the audience and the audience mix was a little different at this 4pm showing. It would have been deserved had it happened.
Jamie and Natalia made an appearance in the foyer which is also a nice touch at the end of the performance. I'm not sure if that always happens but this was a lovely touch. In the same way Natalia greets you on arrival, both then appear to say hello, chat and goodbyes at the end. My suscipion is that they likely appear in the foyer as much as possible.
In summary, this show is ideal for families and it is recommended for ages 5 and up. If you have children into magic or who would just like to witness this event, do consider taking them. But whatever your reason, don't miss out as Jamie is in so much demand it will likely be a while again before he performs on these shores. Production values are exceptional and you will get to see a very slick show. An enjoyable afternoon/night out for non magic folk and magicians!
Jamie Allan is absolutely captivating on stage and his creative team have helped him put together an exceptional show. Please don't leave it as long again before another production plays in the UK, Jamie.
If you enjoyed this review and want to read more, do take a look at our interview page talking with Jamie about the show. Just click on the interview banner below.
Thank you to the entire creative team and the Marylebone Theatre team.
"Amaze" originally ran from July 31st to Aug 24th. A new show run is now on sale at the Criterion Theatre until the 23rd of November 2024 in the West End.
To learn more about Jamie and to book to see the "Amaze" show. Please visit:
Thank you 🙏 Martin. Great review and I like how your site then suggested a look at your review on Jamie's book.