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Magical new show Wonderville heading to the West End this summer

A brand new magical stage show is heading to the West End this summer.

Described as a “vaudevillian journey of illusion”, Wonderville will play at the Palace Theatre between 21 July and 30 August with tickets on sale here.

The show will star multi-award-winning mind reader and TV star, Chris Cox and magician Josephine Lee, both stars of The Illusionists which has played on Broadway, the West End and across the globe.

They’ll be joined by Young & Strange (Penn & Teller: Fool Us; The Next Great Magician, ITV), Edward Hilsum (Champions of Magic, world tour), and Amazí and Symoné (who will split the run with their Guinness World Record-holding hula hooping finesse).

A teaser of the production shares: “There’s magic brewing in the West End once more. A vaudevillian journey of illusion, with performers at the cutting edge of their art, Wonderville is set to astonish audiences this summer at the Palace Theatre. This fun night for all the family must be seen to be believed.

“Wonderville brings together some of the greatest illusionists live on stage in breath-taking displays of magic and illusion that will electrify, surprise and delight.”

Chris Cox has sold out UK tours and runs at Fringe Festivals from Edinburgh to New Zealand, and is no stranger to the Palace Theatre as the Magic and Illusions Assistant for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Josephine Lee took the magic world by storm after her appearance on Britain’s Got Talent in 2017. Her dynamic and modern spin on illusion saw her act hit millions of views
overnight.

Young & Strange comprises stage illusionists Richard Young and Sam Strange. Alongside live performance, the pair creates online video content to showcase original and exciting formats for
magic. For five years, Edward Hilsum starred alongside Young & Strange in the record-breaking Champions of Magic. His original shows have received acclaim from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to Las Vegas and he was invited to be part of the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.

Performing from 16th – 26th July and 18th – 28th August will be Amazí. An international hula hooper, she’s performed at the National Theatre, the Tate and Glastonbury Festival as wellas for Children in Need and BBC’s Crackerjack. Symoné will take to the stage from 28th July – 16th August, combining hula hooping, roller skating and dance with psychedelic style. She has performed for clients including Instagram, ASOS, Kate Nash, and Sun Ra’s Arkestra. They both currently hold a Guinness World Record with their hoop troupe, Marawa’s Majorettes.

Director Annabel Mutale Reed commented: “It’s an absolute privilege to be creating Wonderville with world class magicians, who are bringing their greatest illusions to the West End this summer. Audiences have been making memories at The Palace Theatre for 130 years, and we are delighted to be filling its stage with a vibrant 2021 twist on an old-fashioned variety show.

“Wonderville is an exhilarating, mind-bending show that really has to be seen to be believed, all under the roof of what was once described as ‘The Handsomest Music Hall in Europe’!

Producer, Stephen McGill added: “We are so excited to bring some magic and wonder to the West End again, which we know has been sorely missed during this difficult last year. Our fun-packed family show is full of magic, illusion, and comedy. It promises some old- fashioned entertainment with some innovative, fresh, contemporary style and exceptional performers. We hope it will cast a spell over our audiences and fill them with Wonderville!”

Nica Burns said: “Wonderville: fantastic and fantastical, full of surprises and marvel. Hugely entertaining. A perfect summer show for all. Just the tonic.”

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About the author: Josh Darvill

Josh is Stageberry's editor with over five years of experience writing about theatre in the West End and across the UK. Prior to following his passion for musicals, he worked for more than a decade as a TV journalist.