Comedy magician teams up with Piff The Magic Dragon instead

Penn Jillette is to tour the UK with fellow comedy magician Piff The Magic Dragon – the first time he’s played here without Teller, his partner of 50 years.

It will also mark the first time  Piff – aka John van der Put – has performed in Britain in over a decade since he moved from his birthplace in Forest Hill, south-east London, to Las Vegas on the back of his success on America’s Got Talent. 

Piff has also appeared on Penn and Teller’s show Fool Us a number of times – including once twisting the formula to see if Penn could fool him. 

In the new show, both will perform solo sets before combining in a new double act – Piff & Pop – with 70-year-old Jillette donning a dragon costume of his own to play Piff’s dad.

Jillette said: ‘We’ve done our TV show, Penn & Teller Fool Us, for well over a decade and saw almost 400 magicians perform for us.  

‘Piff the Magic Dragon grabbed me right away – perfect magic, funny, and totally original.  We became fast friends, and now we’ve decided to work together. 

‘I get to play Pop the Magic Dragon and we’ll be doing Piff & Pop’s Magic Shoppe, and it’s already as much fun as anything I’ve ever done.  I hope you get to see some of it.’

Piff added: ‘After ten years and over 2000 shows at the Flamingo Las Vegas, I’m coming home to where it all started, and I’m bringing my Pop (which is American for Dad)! 

‘I can’t wait to show him every great thing about Britain, from the food to the fanatical love of mythical creature-based magic. This will be a father-son bonding trip for the ages!’

The announcement comes after Penn & Teller were finally inducted into the Magic Circle, 50 years after first performing together. 

They had previously been refused membership for revealing how tricks are done - but were finally honoured during their run at the London Palladium which ends tomorrow (Review) 

Piff & Pop’s Magic Shoppe will play nine dates, kicking off at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on September 10 next year. Tour dates.

Since 2001, Penn & Teller have headlined at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, earning the distinction of the longest-running residency in Las Vegas history for a magic act. While Piff has headlined his own residency at the Flamingo Las Vegas since 2015, along with his canine sidekick Mr Piffles, the world’s only magic-performing chihuahua. 

Published: 23 Sep 2025