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  • Write the River presents

    Queen of Magic

    Sat 11 Mar at 7.15pm
    Tickets £8 - £12
    ARCHIVE
    Join Helena and Amberlilly on a surreal quest to rescue magicians' assistants from the boxes they've been stuffed into - before the saw gets there first.

    Heard of Houdini? Thought so.

    What about Adelaide Herrmann, the Queen of Magic, renowned Victorian magician?

    Award-winning feminist artists Write the River have had enough of women being the assistants. Join them on a surreal rescue mission that spans time and space, as they encounter a sentient broom, your best mate’s granny, and the magician from everyone’s 5th birthday party. Will Helena and Amberlilly ever make it to the centre of the magic circle? Will their magic lessons pay off? And, crucially, is Adelaide the role model they’ve been searching for?

    Hocus your pocus and suspend your disbelief in the sure-fire hit the creators call ‘Spirited Away’ meets ‘Thelma and Louise’ (they assume, they’ve never actually seen either of them).

    "I shall not be content until I am recognized by the public as a leader in my profession, and entirely irrespective of the question of sex." - Adelaide Herrmann (wife, magician’s assistant, world-famous entertainer - in that order).

    Supported by Farnham Maltings no strings attached. With thanks to Jayne Corrigan.

    Content Notice
    Running Time 60 mins
    Wheelchair Accessible
    Wheelchair Accessible
    Assistance dogs welcome
    Assistance dogs welcome
    Content Notice
    Content NoticeMisogyny and violence against women: frequently referred to throughout the show. One instance of description of a personal experience of sexual assault. Frequent dismissal of women's autonomy. Infrequent verbal judgement of body size. One physical depiction of hypnosis with a woman in a vulnerable position. Two further instances of women having reduced mental faculty and not being in power when in conversation with others. One scene where an older male character alludes to underage girls being better and emotionally manipulates a young woman. Medical practices: One physical depiction of hypnosis with a woman in a vulnerable position. Mentions of hysteria and asylums. Bereavement: frequent references to the loss of a partner. Brief mention of domestic fire and loss of animal life and property. Retching: one brief instance.
    Health Notice
    Health NoticePyrotechnics,Smoke/fog/haze,Flashing Lights,Loud Noises,Food/Drinks consumed by performers,Food/Drinks given to audience members
    "A sharp comic tongue"
    A Younger Theatre (on previous work)
    "Mesmerised & awe-inspired"
    Audience feedback on work-in-progress of Queen of Magic
    "Blown away by the writing and performing"
    Audience feedback on work-in-progress of Queen of Magic
    "I've never listened to a broom handle so intently!"
    Audience feedback on work-in-progress of Queen of Magic

    "Welcoming, friendly, the best bits of London in a cool venue."

    Audience member