NOW YOU SEE ME LIVE
London Coliseum
★★★★
“packed with spectacular illusions and cinematic showmanship”
From the producers of ‘The Illusionists’, ‘Now You See Me Live’ brings its hit international tour to London before heading to Las Vegas. Inspired by the Lionsgate film franchise, this slick mix of illusion, mind games and cutting edge tech lands with a real wow factor even if a couple of elements could use tightening.
Loosely inspired by the ‘Now You See Me’ films, the four Horsemen – Enzo Weyne, Andrew Basso, Gabriella Lester and Matthew Pomeroy – tear through increasingly jaw dropping feats. From lightning-fast sleight of hand and psychological mind games, to time bending illusions and death defying escapology, this show has it all!
Pomeroy emcees with easy charm, weaving the night together with sharp mentalism and sleight of hand work. Weyne delivers clever escapes that tease a reveal before hitting you with an even bigger trick. Lester builds momentum with a team trick you think you’ve cracked until somehow everyone’s stepped out of the box. Basso ups the ante with increasingly death-defying escapes and real danger. They’re supported by guest appearances from Eden Choi’s boundary pushing manipulations, Fraser Penman’s spot on psychological force, and Rafferty Coope’s blink and you miss him appearances. Though one of my favourite tricks involves the audience ripping up and shuffling cards you’re given as you enter – deceptively simple yet no less mind boggling! Though the acting and diction don’t always match the magic’s polish, the company still turns out an impressive set of acts.
Co creator Adam Trent, drawing on characters by Boaz Yakin and Edward Ricourt, shapes an evening of spectacle with genuine heart, creating a family focused show anchored with positivity and self-affirmation. The acts are well structured, building momentum and tension throughout, though the encore feels a touch anticlimactic after the space and time bending teleportation sequence. Creative Director Ash Jacks McCready, Illusion Director Weyne, Resident Director Todd Hampton and Technical Director Isaac Ogilvie deliver a seamless fusion of stagecraft and technology, bringing magic straight into 2026. High resolution screens allow crisp close ups across the vast auditorium, and a futuristic video sequence channels cinematic drama, even if the video somewhat outshines the physical work. Handheld footage blended with pre recorded segments sells the illusions in real time – the tech team deserves huge applause for their effortless execution. That said, a couple of moments are visible if you’re paying attention – such as a pre recorded shadow and pre-recorded sound – but that doesn’t undermine how incredibly well the departments collaborate.
Evan Duffy’s score is modern and electric, expertly driving and releasing tension, and wrapping the show in cinematic scale. Hugo Mericer Bosseny’s lighting is a standout, with a complex rig creating mesmerising patterns, colours and shapes, balanced expertly with pitch darkness. Eugene Titus’ costumes lean into heist edginess with lots of black leather, yet each character feels distinct. The sound mix could use a touch more clarity; diction occasionally slips and music sometimes overpowers dialogue, but it’s an easy fix in an otherwise polished package.
‘Now You See Me Live’ is packed with spectacular illusions and cinematic showmanship, and a few smart tweaks would take it from impressive to unmissable.
NOW YOU SEE ME LIVE
London Coliseum
Reviewed on 2nd August 2026
by Hannah Bothelton
Photography by Johan Persson
