Adelaide Fringe

Direct from Japan, Maho Magic Bar to Dazzle Adelaide Fringe

By Annabel Fuller

Posted on February 4, 2022

Direct from Japan: Setting The Garden of Unearthly Delights ablaze like a neon-lit happy snap of Shinjuku, Maho Magic Bar is unmissable.

An Australian first, Maho Magic Bar delighted, astounded and set the standard high for its near sold-out season at 2020’s Adelaide Fringe, while scooping up a suite of stellar reviews. Wave a wand to 2022 and Maho Magic Bar is hurtling back into town like the Shinkansen, carrying with it a fresh team, fresh tricks, fresh cocktails . . . and a hedonistic night out in Tokyo on the cards.

Setting The Garden of Unearthly Delights ablaze like a neon-lit happy snap of Shinjuku, Maho Magic Bar is unmissable. Step inside, and you will find a bespoke and gorgeously refined bar and entertainment space spread across six spacious performance areas. After taking your seat and selecting your drink of choice, consummate master magicians will perform your own exclusive magic show at your table – creating an unforgettable, multi-sensory and interactive experience unlike anything else you’ll find at Fringe or indeed across Australia.

Making up the magicians’ troupe are the prodigies of mischievous prowess from the labyrinthian tumult and high-octane energy of Japan’s nightlife capitals:

Shohgo Yamashita is the pin-up boy from party capital Osaka and is a pioneer of magic with compelling storytelling. Making the crowd gasp, Kaori Kitazawa is our kawaii princess of illusion, shaking up gender stereotypes in the typically male magician domain. And then there’s Sarito: quite possibly the craziest close-up magician on the planet, his daredevil repertoire includes needles, gaffer tape, detergent, stuffed animals and. Tokyo superstar, Jonio, who’s famous for his weird beard, is a favourite with Penn & Teller and America’s Got Talent. While Johnny Balance from Melbourne rounds out the troupe with his Willy Wonka style comedic magic.

True to the bars of Japan, purchase a drink upon entry – and if you’re adventurous of spirit, then select a special magic moment from the ‘special menu’. Sip from a traditional cedar masu cup of the highest-grade Junmai Daiginjo sake; treat yourself to a gorgeous cocktail made with sake, vodka or gin; find love with Japan’s famed whiskeys or savour an Umeshu and soda, a refreshing Japanese liqueur spritz made from an infusion of sweet plums and green tea flavouring – perfect on those hot summer nights.

Broad Encounters Director, Kirsten Siddle, explained Maho Magic Bar’s origins, ‘We wanted to bring Japan’s crazy, cool, fun to Australia and give audiences an experience, unlike anything they have experienced before. Seeing close-up magic really does inspire awe. The skill, finesse and personalities of these master magicians are really something special.”

Indeed, with its extremely limited capacity, and spacious venue, plus the ability to book an entire table of 8 or indeed an entire show for your group, Maho Magic Bar is set to be one of the most covid-safe choices for audiences this Fringe.

Those lucky enough to have secured tickets previously will be clamouring to get back inside the neon-lit jewel of a venue to see what the tricksters have in store, while those who were on the 2020 waitlist have already responded to their early invitation for 2022 in droves. It appears Adelaide is keen to welcome the world back to Fringe and secure their ticket to a Japanese escape.

With its dazzling bespoke venue, captivating and awe-inspiring show, delectable bar offering, and small capacity, Maho Magic Bar is a truly immersive experience . . . and a night out like no other.

Read our review here.