By Sarah Skubala
When was the last time you experienced a magic show? Outside of kids’ parties, magic performances aren’t usually something you find as a standard entertainment offering, except maybe in Vegas. Fortunately for Brisbane, Maho Magic Bar is in town for a limited time and boasts an up-close, immersive experience set in a bespoke pop-up cocktail bar with a unique Japanese twist.
Located at the back of the Maritime Museum in Southbank, Maho Magic Bar is accompanied by two exciting experiences set inside shipping containers, Séance and Flight. All three are designed to be experienced back-to-back, or you can pick and choose which ones you want to do. I started my night with the shipping containers, and Flight was first. Set in a disused 747 cabin, the 25-minute experience was terrifying in the best way. The 360-degree binaural sound coming through the headphones was incredible, and the voice acting was world-class. I could feel the rumble beneath my feet as though the plane was actually flying, and I half expected to feel the cabin shift as the plane ‘moved’ in the sky. I would have loved this experience to run for even longer; it was so good it left me wanting more. If anyone has a genuine fear of the dark, tight spaces, or flying, this is not for you. Thrill seekers, however, must absolutely check this out. Séance was probably the weak link of the three in that there were issues with the sound in my headphones. At times, it was way too loud, and the seating was such that it rendered me in an uncomfortable position throughout, as all hands had to be placed on the table. Sound issues aside, Séance would be best enjoyed with a friend for a truly interactive, shared experience.
The theatrical main course of my night was Maho Magic Bar. For the moderate drinker, I recommend holding off on buying a cocktail at the Maho Mini Bar in the front courtyard and waiting until you are inside the venue. The drinks come out fast, courtesy of Comet, the award-winning flair bartender extraordinaire, and if you only want one (they cost extra on top of your ticket), save the drink for the show. Running for approximately an hour, small groups are seated around four different bar areas, and the magicians move from one station to the next in a style almost like speed dating but for magicians. There are extra magic acts on the menu, and these cost a bit extra, but they allow the purchaser to be drawn into the centre of the room while everyone watches the magic act taking place. We were lucky to witness three such acts, and they definitely enhanced the overall show.
There were many aspects of the show that left us wondering, ‘How did they do that?’ My son was innocently drawn into one such trick by Kaori Kitazawa, and we were left simply amazed. Kaori also performed a trick with a soft drink can, transforming it right before our eyes. Shirayuri performed an astounding trick with a real orange, and E.O. Lee’s ring and gumball machine trick was also a highlight. All of the performers were friendly, energetic and charismatic, setting the tone for a really fun night out.
Maho Magic Bar is an entertaining and captivating experience, and with family-friendly sessions also available, there’s something for everyone. Here in Brisbane for another month, there’s still plenty of time to catch all three shows before they move on to their next stop. Maho Magic Bar is presented by Broad Encounters, with Flight and Séance presented by Darkfield.
https://www.darkfield.com.au/brisbane
Image: Axis Productions
