Review of Penn & Teller’s Magical Return to London, UK

They've waited 16 years to return to the UK. But the entertainment and atmosphere of Penn & Teller at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo last night, was simply magical.

Of course, for those youngsters born in the '80's and '90's, they would not really know who these two Americans were; apart from a big loud one with long black hair, and a much shorter balding one who doesn't really speak. Quite a couple, but regardless of their opposites, the match is perfect. Obviously they do magic as well.

As mentioned earlier in the week, I had Penn & Teller tickets for the opening night, Wednesday 14th July 2010. Having sold my spare ticket on eBay for a loss, it was only apparent in the hours before just how much demand there was going to be.

An appearance on the Jonathan Ross show last Friday and on the BBC One Show, certainly gave their publicity a boost. I put an ad on Gumtree and recall a youngish American woman with desperation in her voice as she begged for my now already sold ticket. She was tempted to just get down to Hammersmith and get one from a tout instead.

With sell out shows in Las Vegas it only meant one thing, leave the office and get down there ASAP.

On arrival, albeit an hour before, it all seemed pretty quiet. Maybe the calm before the storm. After a pint in the Duke of Cornwall round the corner, I made my way inside, grabbed a souvenir programme for £10 and a hotdog en-route to my seat.

Once upstairs, signs were all over the place... No Cameras, or video and audio recording devices.

That seemed to me, to be warning. A warning that you see before watching an 18 rated movie. Scenes of a disturbing nature, adult theme, violence, bad language, etc. It only got me more excited.

The opening session really got the crowd warmed up. Both Penn & Teller engaged the audience and plucked people out of the crowd to assist them in their acts. We all felt part if it, with 2 big screens on stage as well, for those eager to get a closer look of a magic palm of a card or hand trickery.

Without wanting to spoil anyone's enjoyment if they are planning to go this week, but I've put headlines to the acts that I can remember - without trying to give the full description of the performance. This is to act as a prompt for me to reminisce on what they did, and for you to remember and tell your mates the full act. If I've missed any key ones, post a comment (thanks).

# Spoiler Alert Start #

Part One - not necessarily in the right order

• Glasses go missing
• Water into coins
• Polyester cutting kid
• ESP joke books (American-Japanese, Thin Women, Hooker)
• Lighting a cigarette
• Levitation
• Houdini water tank

Part Two - not necessarily in the right order

• Handcuff makeup
• Apple and needles
• Close up cow video
• Rose shadow
• Remember the nail gun
• Fishing for knives
• Fire eating

# Spoiler Alert End #

The acts were well executed, with the very misfortune that the 5 foot 11 women just could lift her legs high enough. Penn recognised this and swiftly moved on.  The audience I'm sure accepted that shit can happen to the best of them as well, regardless of their disappointment.

My favourite was the nail gun memory trick. Secretly wishing for a lapse in concentration, I was perched on the edge of my seat throughout. This was the type of sick and twisted trick I was looking forward too.

However, they didn't pull out many dare devil or large scale illusions that I recall from their TV show in the '90's. Remember the one with Teller running between and inside some boxes on the stage, Penn explaining how it's done, then pulling out something incredible and nigh impossible.

It was a really good night, but made even better after I left. At the end of the show, Penn and Teller ran down the aisles past the audience, who were either sitting in their seats or still clapping a standing ovation. Once outside, two gatherings of people stood under the Hammersmith flyover outside the front of the Apollo.

On the left, stood a towering Penn Jillette and to the right, invisible at human eye level, was a certain Mr Teller. What a surprise, both Penn and Teller were outside meeting the very audience who had paid to see them, engaged in photos and signing programmes, tickets and playing cards!! They really put themselves in the middle.

For that alone, FULL BLOODY RESPECT. AWESOME.

I took my programme and headed towards Penn. With the rain starting to fall and Penn's black pen running out, he grabbed his silver pen and scribbled across himself on the cover.  Done.

Should I have asked for a photo? Yes, of course.  Did I?  Er, no.  The iPhone 3GS is crap for photos.  It was dark, no flash, starting to rain, and asking a stranger to fanny about with my phone seemed pointless.

Now, do I just jump back in the tube and accept that Teller had a huge crowd amassed around him, or get stuck in myself?  Answer was easy, join the incoherent circular crowd.

I actually got to hear him talk. Teller has a voice! Such a gentleman, he picked out the people who were next better than any barman I've ever seen.  He signed my programme, asked how I was, and smiled for the photo above.  I even got him to sign on the programme "DO NOT EBAY".  How funny!  Penn had said earlier, "Go on, sell it on eBay, I don't mind".  Anyway, I'm sure the personalisation will make it worth even more.

If you are looking for some Penn & Teller tickets on eBay, click here and see if you can get a bargain, or if you are looking for signed memorabilia, click here.

All in all, a great night out.  Made even more special because a couple of down to earth guys, who coincidently are pretty famous, made the effort to spend time with the very people who have made them successful.

If you want to find out more about Penn and Teller, visit the official website at http://www.pennandteller.com or follow them on Twitter via @PennJillett and @MrTeller.