Piff the Magic Dragon: Piff-tacular 2 – Get Rich or Die Trying

Just the Tonic Caves
6-29 August, 15:15


John Van Der Put is a great sleight of hand magician, who dons a ridiculous costume and renames himself Piff the Magic Dragon. His sidekick is a ridiculously adorable dog called Mr Piffles, who admittedly is somewhat reticent as a performer. Complete with magic tricks, baby ghost impressions, hula hoops and a talking pizza, the show contains some moments of genuine brilliance based largely on delightful ineptitude.

It’s all rather fun. The snag is that John Van Der Put’s persona as Piff is unapologetically grumpy. It’s a shame, as Van Der Put is clearly a talented guy, although I suppose it’s nice that he’s not the least bit smug about it. However, it makes the show a little uncomfortable on occasion. While on one hand, it’s refreshing to see what’s essentially a rather daft magic show with the cheesiness taken away. On the other, it’s hard to get enthusiastic about a performance when the leading man looks like he’d rather be anywhere else.

– Miranda Fay Thomas