Jamie Allan’s Amaze is not only entertaining but spellbinding (pardon the pun) and deeply thoughtful, offering a fresh take on how magic can be conceptualized and performed.

Allan, a renowned magician and performer, began his journey into magic from a young age, performing his first show at just eight years old. Since then, his career has flourished, with performances around the globe and collaborations with high-profile stars and corporate giants like Mercedes Benz and Sting. Often referred to as the "21st-century Houdini," Allan draws inspiration from the legendary escapologist Harry Houdini, blending classic illusions with cutting-edge technology to create a modern magic experience.

Currently being performed at London’s Criterion Theatre, a popular venue for magic shows (it previously hosted Derren Brown’s Unbelievable), Amaze is a welcome addition to the city’s theatre scene, which doesn’t often feature magic as a central art form. Historically, magic has been met with scepticism, and even today, magicians must contend with audiences filled with doubt. Allan, however, cleverly bridges this gap, drawing even the sceptics in by seamlessly integrating magic into contemporary culture and storytelling.

The show follows the trajectory of Allan’s life, with each magic trick woven into key milestones in his personal journey. From the very start, this personal approach sets Amaze apart, making each trick more than just a spectacle—they become meaningful moments tied to his own experiences. For instance, an early trick involving a Rubik's cube narrates how Allan first discovered his passion for magic as a child. This personal touch adds a unique emotional depth to the show, inviting the audience into Allan’s world, allowing us to see the man behind the magic.

The pacing of the magic is great, with tricks perfectly timed throughout Allan’s storytelling. Audience participation is also a key feature, with participants selected at random—one memorable moment involved Allan throwing a soft brick into the crowd, with the third person to catch it becoming the participant. This spontaneity made the tricks feel even more authentic. Some standout moments include his dazzling card tricks, the seemingly impossible feat of pulling a string through solid glass, and a particularly impressive heads-or-tails game that led to an audience member’s "predetermined" image and details being revealed on a paper that had been placed on stage earlier.

However, the most jaw-dropping moment for me (and for much of the audience) was when Allan asked us to use our smartphone calculators to add up a series of random numbers, including birthdays and anniversaries from the audience. The final sum, to our amazement, revealed the exact date and time of that evening’s performance when we all pressed the equals button. The collective gasp from the audience was palpable—Amaze lived up to its name in that moment.

What sets Amaze apart from other magic shows is its unexpected emotional resonance. Allan incorporates heartfelt tributes to his family, most notably his late mother. In one moving segment, recordings of her singing play while Allan performs a string trick. Additionally, there is a scene where an actress portraying her levitates and then vanishes. These deeply personal moments elevate the magic from simple tricks to something more profound, blending illusion with sentiment and memory. This emotional layer, coupled with visually stunning sets that reflect significant elements of Allan’s life, adds a rich texture rarely found in traditional magic shows.

Not every trick hit its mark—one, unfortunately, did not work on the night I attended, a reminder that live theatre is unpredictable. Additionally, those seated in the upper circle might be able to see how certain tricks are performed, which could spoil some of the magic for them.

Still, Amaze is an impressive and thought-provoking production, one that goes beyond mere spectacle by intertwining Allan’s life story with breath-taking illusions. If you’re a fan of magic or simply want to be wowed, this show won’t disappoint.

Jamie Allan’s Amaze is running at the Criterion Theatre until November 23rd. Book tickets here.

Review by Alex Tullah