Review: The Magician’s Table, The Vaults

Approaching the rather ominous entrance to The Vaults beneath Waterloo station, there’s an immediate thrill of mischief, the sense that we’re slipping somewhere we perhaps shouldn’t be. It feels faintly illicit, almost Speakeasy-like, and by the time we’ve checked in and wound our way to the waiting area, the anticipation is already working its magic.

The newly claimed home of The Magician’s Table is a delight: richly decorated, atmospheric, and full of character. Heavy curtains create pockets of secrecy, an apt motif for an evening built on concealment and surprise. At the back, a raised, curtained platform promises séances; at the front, a bar serves cocktails so good I can personally vouch for their excellence. An old mahogany piano sits proudly in one corner, a gramophone in another; the whole space feels curated for entertainment. Early arrivals gather around a performer warming up the crowd with card tricks, while black-and-white portraits of magicians and circus artists line the walls. At the centre, framed in gold, hangs a painting of Dieter Roterburg — the supposed reason for our gathering.

When we’re led into the main performance space, the sense of mystery deepens. Blue lighting and haze create an otherworldly atmosphere, and the staging encourages us to lean in. It’s worth noting that this is a communal experience: you’re seated at a table with eight strangers and encouraged to converse throughout. If sharing the evening with unfamiliar faces isn’t your thing, this may not be the show for you.

The performance opens with Calliope (Shea Wojtas), welcoming us to the memorial of her husband, Dita Roterburg. She chats easily with the audience, referring to us as jugglers and trapeze artists who once knew him. Light improvisation is part of the fun; if she asks how long you knew Dita, you’ll want to have an answer ready.

What follows is a fully immersive sequence in which six magicians visit each table in turn, performing close-up illusions with sleight of hand and clever misdirection. Each has a distinct persona and rhythm. The Genius (Rob James), The Trickster (Gareth Kalyan), and The Conjurer (Richard McDougall) are particularly memorable, and while I won’t spoil specifics, watching a coin travel from the table to beneath someone’s watch is genuinely astonishing.

The intimacy of the magic is a real strength; having performers right at your table creates a personal, engaging experience. However, the tricks do begin to feel somewhat repetitive, often revolving around coins or cards. While this is standard fare for close-up magic, I couldn’t help wishing for a little more variety. The five-minute breaks between each magician also start to drag, interrupting momentum just as things get going. A standout illusion in the middle of the evening raises the bar, but it oddly isn’t the finale, leaving the closing moments feeling a touch underwhelming by comparison.

There’s no denying the evening is fun, and it certainly delivers on its promise to let you “experience magic from different perspectives”. Still, I left feeling slightly less dazzled than I’d hoped. The absence of the live accordion musician, advertised as part of the experience, was disappointing, as it would have added another layer of charm. If you’re coming primarily for magic, you’ll find it, but the event is clearly designed for groups who want to drink, chat, and enjoy a social night out rather than sit and watch a structured two-hour show.

Produced by: Right Angle Entertainment 
Executive Producer: Thomas Greenwood-Mears
Creative Consultant: Sheena Patel
Associate Producer: Natalie Scott
Writer, Executive Producer and Magic Director: Iain Sharkey
Performance Director: Geoffry Colman
Writing Consultant: Kevin Hammonds 
Production Stage Manager: Alice Wood
Sound Design: Cameron Graham 
Scenic Design: Darling and Edge
Special Effects Prop Maker: Jen Kewley
Lighting: Light Me Up

The Magician’s Table is on sale at The Vaults until Saturday 31 October.l