A spellbinding masterclass in mischief

What do you get when you combine a pinch of Hogwarts whimsy with a sprinkle of illusion and a dash of circus flair? Academy of Magic – an immersive experience for the young, the young at heart, and anyone with a penchant for mischief and mayhem. 
 
The show invites aspiring witches and wizards to join Tom Weil and his intrepid assistants, Nic Ames and Emma De Maria, for a masterclass in the art of misdirection and sleight of hand. But before you start waving your wands in the hopes you’ll catch a glimpse of Harry Potter, be forewarned: while the production is cleverly marketed to pull on the nostalgic heartstrings of Potterheads, the link to J.K. Rowling’s franchise is a bit of a stretch. There’s no sorting hat, no Quidditch, and no owls or potions – just a glimmer of the magical world we’ve come to know. Instead, Academy of Magic treats little sorcerers to a stand-alone, hands-on spectacle that leaves them – and their muggle guardians – bewitched and bewildered.  
 
Children gasp as Weil bends logic before their eyes, their wonder only deepening when they’re handed the tools to conjure tricks of their own. Watching young imaginations spark to life is nothing short of enchanting – but as they quickly learn, pulling off the impossible takes more than a flick of the wrist. Patience, focus, and dexterity are what really power the spells.
 
A tighter opening and sharper pacing would elevate the experience, but for budding magicians, Academy of Magic is a spellbinding first step into the art of illusion.