Review of the magicians' stint at the London Paladium

For their anniversary show marking 50 years in magic, Penn and Teller are proud to say they are presenting almost all new tricks, rather than relying on old favourites. Or at least Penn Jillette says that, given that his sidekick is nearly always silent.

On stage at the London Palladium, they are lower key than you might expect. Despite having the longest-running residency in Las Vegas, the razzle-dazzle showmanship is muted in favour of letting the magic speak for itself. Given the pair are 70 and 77 respectively, that may be expected – but it’s also part of their determination to distinguish themselves as magician craftsmen rather than trickster illusionists.

They start with one of the genre’s staples, cutting and reassembling a rope… or in this case a giant polyester ribbon. The other twist is recruiting a small child from the audience, who Penn amusingly trash-talks throughout.

A far more impressive trick drawing on the wisdom of crowds to determine the number of jelly beans in a jar – and more besides – is underplayed, given how clever it is. That’s followed by a far dumber, but no less masterful, routine based on a trick they allegedly bought with Spanish-language instructions that Penn badly translates. 

Comedy’s always been integral to what they do, setting them apart from the humourless likes of David Blaine and David Copperfield, who prefer to project themselves as unknowable mystics beyond human emotions. Penn and Teller are more playful with the craft, always reminding us they are conmen out to deceive us. Penn has the shyster’s quick, teasing patter while chipmunk-cheeked Teller is a much underrated physical comedian. Beyond this, what shines through is an affection for each other and for the art of magic itself. It’s a surprisingly charming vibe for performers who have built their reputation on being a bit cynical. 

A fun – if ultimately over convoluted – ‘battle of the dreams’ sequence ends with a surreal payoff, while they admit a skit about entropy is the most ‘weird ass’ thing they’ve done. We watch, as they predicted, with patience more than astonishment. The payoff is a long time coming, but worth it.

The final trick of the first half also involves quite a lot of business, but the revelation of a 132,600-1 ‘coincidence’ is just reward.

After the interval, things get even better, starting with a delightful visual image of the pair performing as giant inflatable versions of themselves for a trippy card trick.

Teller’s routine reassembling shattered glass is awe-inspiring, and a none-too-subtle defiance of the aforementioned rules of entropy which say the universe tends towards chaos. It’s why you can’t uncrack an egg… or unbreak glass, apparently.

The ‘needle in a haystack’ routine is another visually and technically stunning trick, a new classic for the Penn & Teller repertoire. And while a routine assembling the biggest sceptics in the audience on stage verges on the shambolic, it, too, reveals yet another, formidable payoff.

Surprisingly, this 11-night run is the first time Penn and Teller have played London’s home of variety in their half-century, although they have been at the Eventim Apollo Hammersmith before. But they use the storied stage to reestablish their credentials as masters of their craft, still able to amaze.

• Penn & Teller’s 50th Anniversary Tour is at the London Palladium until September 24. Tickets

Review date: 19 Sep 2025
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: London Palladium