CELEBRATING their tenth anniversary as a dastardly duo of deception, Morgan & West bring their unique show of wonder, mystery, and annoyingly unexplainable magic to Salisbury Playhouse for a week’s fun.

Dressed and acting like 19th century very English gentlemen, Mr Morgan and Mr West entertain the audience in Victorian suits and hair styles, impeccable manners, and precisely enunciated language. And they seem able to read people’s minds.

There is an innocence and old-fashioned simplicity about the show, there are no gratuitous obscenities or glamorous assistants ... but there are some baffling and genuinely amazing unforgettable magic tricks.

Various members of the audience are gently and politely encouraged to take part in the magic ... and their puzzled and spellbound reactions all add to the fun.

The tricks are smoothly delivered – how is Mr Morgan strapped tightly into a wooden box by enthusiastic audience members ... and then seemingly sawn in half?

How does Mr Morgan, in front of a flummoxed and horrified lady, appear to swallow and regurgitate sharp pins from his mouth? Grotesque, magical genius!

The original finale features a trick which genuinely seems to go wrong, with the duo actually apologising for the mistakes, and the audience squirming with embarrassment and sympathy ...

And the encore is a hilarious mime, featuring seemingly hundreds of red balls.

This wonderful magic show runs until Saturday, with matinees on Thursday and Saturday.

Brendan McCusker