Prepare for an audacious spectacle as American comedy provocateur Natalie Palamides teams up with Las Vegas circus trailblazers Spiegelworld to develop their next multi-million-dollar Las Vegas Strip production, live and in full view of audiences at the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. "Lady Magic," written and directed by Palamides, is a work-in-progress set to premiere at the Pleasance Dome from July 30th to August 25th. This wild, unpredictable anti-magic show invites Fringe audiences to play a pivotal role in shaping its ultimate fate.
Following the smash-hit success of Spiegelworld’s Vegas mainstay Atomic Saloon Show, which was also developed at the Fringe in 2019, Lady Magic offers a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the birth of a major Las Vegas production. The show features a hand-picked cast of comedic misfits who will build, break down, and rebuild the show throughout its Fringe season.
Lady Magic flips the traditional magician-assistant dynamic on its head. "Throughout history, the magician’s assistant has put up with a lot: being sawn in half, dodging flying knives - all while wearing high heels, a skimpy costume, and a smile," the producers note. This show sees the assistants finally get their chance to make the magician disappear in increasingly desperate and deadly ways, promising a riot of foolish mayhem and illusions that wouldn't fool anyone – a perfect treat for anyone who has ever hated their boss.
Natalie Palamides is no stranger to Fringe success. Her 2018 show Nate – A One Man Show won a Total Theatre Award and was later commissioned by Amy Poehler's production company for Netflix. Her 2024 show, WEER, also garnered critical acclaim, winning Best Show at the inaugural List Festival Awards.
Palamides expressed excitement about the collaborative and experimental nature of Lady Magic. "We’ll be flying by the seat of our pants, things will change every night," she stated, promising a "very good time" and encouraging audiences to "set your expectations low, and I guarantee you'll leave on a high.” Spiegelworld's Impresario Extraordinaire, Ross Mollison, added that the Fringe provides the ideal testing ground for future Las Vegas hits, where "If the jokes don’t land in Edinburgh, it will never work in Las Vegas.”
