The Naked Magicians

As the promos say, “Good magicians don’t need sleeves. Great magicians don’t need pants”.

Launching a full frontal attack on the magic community, and the public at large, are the duo of magical comedy, or comical magic, Christopher Wayne and Mike Tyler.  They are The Naked Magicians and are performing at the Brisbane Powerhouse till  June 29.

Bringing sexy back, these lovable lads bare their bums in the name of art and entertainment. Sexy jokes, sexy tricks, sexy boys, The Naked Magicians is a great girls, (or fabulous boys), night out. This is one show where audience participation is welcomed and the single ladies clamour to get up onstage to help the boys out.

From a competition in a straight and not-so-straight jacket where the loser gets his kit off, to a card trick where an audience member needs to help hold the magicians hat on his *ahem, head, this dirty magic is actually just a bit of clean, but naughty fun.

Charmingly cheeky Christopher Wayne is a talented magician and time spent doing close up TV magic has obviously helped hone his tricks for this particular show; there’s just nowhere to hide anything when you’re wearing just a magician’s hat and a smile. Being a comedy writer with B105 has also provided good training for infusing the show with cheeky jokes, one-liners, and quick-off-the-mark improvised comedic moments.

Equally charming is Mike Tyler, the other half of The Naked Magicians. As a magician, mentalist, hypnotist and the comic duo’s straight man, Tyler has a lot to offer (he’s also pretty buff…!). Although the only hypnosis in the act was the mesmerising eye candy; this is a new take on the magician’s art of distraction.

There was a whisper in the crowd that ‘Magic Mike’ should spend more time on stage naked – just passing on what I heard. And while the act has developed since their last appearance with earlier nakedness due to audience demand; my plus one female companion (who probably would prefer female magicians), said “is it possible to have more nakedness?”.

Let’s be upfront; the voyeurs in us were sold on the title alone, and the act is a bit of a strip tease; so tease us all the way… with ALL stripping happening onstage. Sorry boys, but any backstage baring is a bit of an anti-climax. However, the climax at the end …

A highly entertaining show, and the most fun I’ve had in the theatre to date. To all the single ladies, just go see it already. And to the married ones? Just tell hubby that you’re spending a night at the theatre and you won’t be lying. It’s not like you’re going to a strip club or anything.

The Naked Magicians will be playing at the Brisbane Powerhouse till 29 June, but after a week of sold out shows and the release of an additional show on Friday night, I would ring to book your tickets soon… your time… starts… now!

Other tour dates include 11 July in Maryborough, 12 July in Bundaberg, and 9 August in Caloundra. For more information, see their website: thenakedmagicians.com.au