I’ve just got back from a masterclass in magical entertainment as I caught ‘Paul Daniels, The First Farewell Tour’ at Camberley Theatre.  I have been a fan of the great man (and the lovely Debbie McGee) for more years than look possible if you have met me, and I was in no way disappointed tonight.  In fact,  having had the privilege to see The Illusionists at the Hammersmith Apollo only last week, I can honestly say that with the exception of the company (just in case my wife reads this!) I enjoyed tonight’s show more.

Of course, this may just be a sign that I am hitting middle age – and all the loud music and flashing lights of the Illusionists was too much for me (I may be revealing too much if I let you know that the real low point of that evening was my inability to obtain a cup of tea in Hammersmith at 11pm – and a hotel room without the necessary facilities!).  The Camberley Theatre has been very nicely refurbished and was a pleasant venue with much to commend it – but the (I presume carefully planned and scripted) gags about music playing too long and the like would have been incongruous at the large scale London venue.

But I think there is more too it than just age and stage.  A couple of the routines in the Illusionists seemed genuinely under-rehearsed – or simply poor quality.  Everything tonight was polished.  Perhaps there is a cultural thing going on since the Illusionists had a distinctly American feel to it and I am a Brit through and through.  But like him or loathe him, Paul Daniels understands audiences – his timing and audience handling is superb – and, of course, he is (still) a fine magician.

There was a great variety in the show – everything from ‘grand illusion’ down.  There was mental magic, card magic, a cameo appearance of the Bunco Booth – and Debbie performed a few routines of her own too.  Perhaps this is all just the glowing nostalgia for a 70s/80s childhood.  But I had a superb time tonight (a view shared by my fellow audience members) – and would encourage you to catch this seemingly under-publicised show if you get the chance.

Oh, and ask first if you’re going to give him a hug…

Tour details here: www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/paul-daniels

The post Paul Daniels – hug him appropriately – and do catch his show appeared first on Bicycle Cards.