Frances Whiting’s review of Penn and Teller 50th anniversary show at QPAC

One is larger than life armed with the gift of the gab, the other famously silent, but you cannot imagine Penn without Teller, writes Frances Whiting.

Las Vegas Magicians Penn Jillette and Teller at QPAC ahead of their 50th Anniversary Tour show. Picture Lachie Millard

There is something utterly delightful about Penn and Teller, and it’s less to do with their onstage magic (although it is always top notch, often mind blowing and occasionally just plain mad) and more to do with the magic between them.

You cannot imagine Penn - larger than life, armed with the gift of the gab and a laser sharp sense of humour without Teller - famously silent yet who, with the lift of an eyebrow can convey the full gamut of human emotions - and vice versa.

Clad in plaid, the duo casually strolled out to the stage at QPAC’s Concert Hall for the opening night of their 50th Anniversary Tour and for the next two hours proceeded to show exactly why they remain the longest running headline act in Vegas.

Las Vegas Magicians Penn Jillette and Teller at QPAC ahead of their 50th Anniversary Tour shows starting on Wednesday night. Picture Lachie Millard

If you like your magic with a side of pyrotechnics, go see Copperfield, if you want deft sleights of hand and mind, tricks with twists you do not see coming (and I can’t tell you what they are) delivered with a side of first class banter - verbally from Penn, mostly with his eyebrows from Teller - then this is the show for you.

This is also a show that’s big on audience participation, from writing down our dreams to throwing bits of rolled up paper on stage to gleefully offering ourselves up to count coins, don hats, and cut cloth on stage, there’s a distinct feeling of all being at the same, somewhat absurd party.

At the end of the show, after Penn and Teller stroll off the stage as casually as they strolled on it, there’s a montage celebrating their 50 years in the business.

And when you watch it, when you see these now 69 (Penn) and 76 (Teller) year old men as young magicians, amazing everyone from King Charles and Jimmy Fallon to the cast of Friends, it brings home how lucky you are to have also been in the room.

Oh, and there’s a gorilla drinking soup.

Penn and Teller 50th Anniversary Tour plays at the Concert Hall, QPAC until February 7.