Book Review: Hocus Pocus by Paul Kieve

Phew, that’s Andrew’s Christmas shopping done – well, Phil’s gift anyway.

Monday saw the publication of West End illusion-meister Paul Kieve‘s new book, Hocus Pocus: A Tale of Magnificent Magicians and Their Amazing Feats.

Coming soon – Orlando Bloom

Andrew got terribly excited when he found out there would be a revival of David Storey’s play In Celebration. As a Storey virgin he felt it was time he dipped his toe into fresh waters. Storey’s plays are described as having “long descriptive passages detailing many items that appear at least superficially to play no role in furthering the plot”. Andrew claimed he was completely sold on the idea and dispatched Phil to the Duke of York’s Theatre to book before the stampede.

Of course Phil didn’t fall for Andrew’s enthusiasm for a minute. Could Andrew have been seduced by the West End debut of Hollywood heart-throb Orlando Bloom? Despite Andrew’s protestations Phil remained deeply suspicious.

Review – Equus with Daniel Radcliffe

Wild horses couldn’t drag Andrew to Peter Shaffer’s Equus.

Being of a somewhat sensitive and nervous disposition, the idea of horses having their eyes poked out on stage proved a little too much for him. Phil tried to convince him that it’s “just a play” and “they’re only acting” but Andrew dug in his substantial heels and stayed curled up on his sofa watching the much less upsetting Snakes on a Plane, while Phil was left alone to witness the most talked-about snake on the London stage.