So Wickedly Funny

First published in Sunday People, New Sunday Times
8 March 2009

So wickedly funny
MAX KOH




Comedian-magicians Barry Jones and Stuart MacLeod combines the irreverent, funny and macabre to create a magic show of their own, writes MAX KOH

IN Wicked Wizards: Barry & Stuart’s Part-time Warlocks, Barry Jones shows us how to balance a spoon on the nose. “This would be an excellent after-dinner magic trick,” he quips while Stuart MacLeod looks on. “We won’t use any glue or gum to make it stick.”

He turns his head from side to side, and amazingly the spoon does not fall off. He then, proceeds to remove the spoon which is attached to his nose with a five-cm nail!

The audience cringes.

“This way you won’t need to use any glue at all!”

The crowd bursts out laughing.


Barry shows his trick with the spoon.

At another point, the duo wears eye-patches and begin to do a little “pirate jig”, much to the audience’s amusement and laughter.

Is this a magic show or Saturday Night Live? Well, it is both!

The British comedian-magicians combine gory tricks, stand-up comedy, drama and a dollop of silliness to create their own brand of magic show.

Humour is a big part of their act and they perform regularly in comedy clubs in UK. Magic tricks are woven into little drama sketches. Their quirky characters engage in witty repartee.


Ouch! Barry’s tongue is skewered


Before you think the humour is mere novelty, the duo astounds you with first-class magic tricks. They were previous winners of numerous Scotland’s Young Magician Of The Year awards.

Barry and Stuart met at a magic circle event 10 years ago, and decided to pair their skills against older counterparts. Their electric chemistry and awesome tricks proved to be a winning combination as they soon toured local clubs and festivals, and even got their own TV show.

They courted controversy for one programme, called The Magic Of Jesus. They re-enacted the miracles of Jesus like turning water into wine.. That got a lot of Press. One bishop remarked: “Maybe these two fraudsters could try being crucified to see if they can rise three days later.”

But the Wicked Wizards’ brand of humour offended some members of the audience. Someone yelled “you suck!” as Barry and Stuart pushed the limits.

They don’t shy away from the taboo as they even demonstrated a voodoo curse on a member of the audience and seemingly conjured a ghost on stage. But it was all in good fun, as their witty exchange lightened the mood.

If you’re squeamish, keep away as there’s a lot of blood (fake), needles, pins and razor blades.

Despite the dark and twisted approach, Barry and Stuart perform a number of silly but impressive tricks that will make you smile.

I felt slightly short-changed though, as I had expected a big trick to end the night but it never came. Still, I enjoyed the show. Their quick fire humour, trickery and awesome audience rapport make a winning formula.

Wicked Wizards, presented by Gardner & Wife Theatre, is on at Pentas 1, KLPac until March 15. Tickets from RM48. Call 03-4047 9000 or visit www.gardnerandwife.com