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Cape Town City Hall has hosted its fair share of historic moments. On Saturday, 7 and Sunday, 8 November, things get a little more mysterious.
MAJIKA: Africa’s Greatest Illusionists takes over the landmark building for three performances, turning its grand interior into a theatrical playground of mind-bending tricks, illusions and feats that will leave audiences questioning their eyesight.
Created by Cape Town’s College of Magic, MAJIKA brings together seven professional magicians for a fast-paced production that puts African talent firmly in the spotlight.
Following sold-out performances last year, the show returns bigger, bolder and armed with new tricks. Because apparently, making things disappear once wasn’t enough.
The magician’s apprentice
Award-winning comedian and television personality Stuart Taylor leads the charge, with hosting duties that promise to keep the laughs coming between the gasps.
The line-up includes illusionists Olwethu Dyantyi and Kgomotso Marite, trickster Mawonga Gayiya, daredevil Anja Steyn, card manipulator Sinalo Mtwana and deceptionist Thomas Wege, alongside the MAJIKA Dancers.
The result is a lively mix of theatrics, comedy, close-up magic and illusions. Expect participants to appear and disappear, seemingly impossible sleight of hand and enough visual trickery to make the most committed sceptic reconsider their POV.
Now you see me
One of the headline acts pays tribute to legendary escape artist Harry Houdini, with Anja attempting an upside-down straitjacket escape high above the stage.
Kgomotso’s large-scale illusion takes misdirection to another level, with a seemingly impossible cutting-in-half illusion performed using transparent sides.
Watching a trick unfold live, surrounded by a crowd trying to solve the same puzzle, is part of the fun. The other part? Realising you’re probably not going to figure it out.
MAJIKA is more than impressive tricks. It celebrates the skill, creativity and showmanship of African performers, many of whom have honed their craft through the College of Magic’s training programmes.
Olwethu, a former student, has represented South Africa internationally. Sinalo’s card manipulation showcases a discipline that demands extraordinary precision and years of practice.
Part of the illusion
Then there’s the venue. With theatrical staging, lighting, projections, smoke and special effects, City Hall becomes part of the illusion itself.
This is not a magician squeezed into a corner at a restaurant. It’s a full-scale experience in one of Cape Town’s most recognisable buildings.
Suitable for audiences aged five and up, MAJIKA offers a family outing with plenty to entertain grown-ups, too. After all, there’s something wonderfully refreshing about suspending disbelief for a couple of hours.
More info
- MAJIKA: Africa’s Greatest Illusionists takes place at Cape Town City Hall on Saturday, 7 November, at 3pm, and Sunday, 8 November, at noon and 3.30pm.
- Tickets cost R165-R185, excluding any applicable booking fees, via Webtickets.
- The show runs for approximately two hours and 10 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.
- Free parking is available on the Grand Parade.
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