one4review | On 20, Aug 2025

Messy Magic Adventure starts as we meet our cleaning duo, Spray and Wipe; they say they’re the stain-busting specialists, and what starts as a simple clean-up job turns quickly into silly but wonderful fun. The pair get the audience involved with a cleaning dance and call-and-response chant. When the giant plastic ‘shield’ came out, I did get slightly worried smaller children may not enjoy what’s coming, as it was much larger than you might expect. ‘Plastic fantastic’? I’m not sure. There’s ladder hijinks and dusting that leads to the forbidden box! We learn that the house they’re due to clean is more than it seems, and they’re set on a magical quest!

It’s a rambunctious and playful show that doesn’t take itself too seriously; think more getting wet and messy (stage full of glitter) than polished close-up magic tricks. The children in the audience (and some parents) are enlisted to identify their ‘stinky’ grown-ups as well as chant and sing along; the room buzzes with a giddy energy. When the plastic shield section gets going, we are really protected by the plastic shield from being drenched, but I couldn’t really see what was going on or when it had ended, and one child took quite the disliking to it completely. You can’t win them all.

There are a nice amount of jokes layered in just for parents that will sail over children, and there’s enough ‘magic’ to warrant the title, but at points you do feel you’re watching two very polished performers delivering more personality than tricks and gimmicks, and their personalities are infectious. A few scolding ‘time-out’ moments do seem a bit harsh, and in a gentle parenting era, this may not sit well with all. There’s impressive physical comedy and confident crowd work that leave everyone smiling. It’s a lively and good-hearted show for families that want some confetti with their chaos.

***1/2

Reviewed by Matthew

Assembly Rooms George Square Gardens – Bijou

Until 17 Aug