On Tuesday night, the McKittrick Hotel hosted an astonishing magic performance that left the audience in awe. The show, which featured renowned magician David Blaine, showcased breathtaking illusions and mind-boggling tricks. Blaine, known for his daring stunts, did not disappoint as he pushed the boundaries of magic and captivated the crowd with his incredible feats. One of the highlights of the evening was when Blaine performed his signature "levitation" trick. He effortlessly floated in mid-air, defying gravity and leaving everyone wondering how it was possible. The audience gasped and applauded as they witnessed the seemingly impossible become a reality right before their eyes.
“Being from Edinburgh, the experience would not be complete without a Scotch pairing,” Lawrence Green, The McKittrick Hotel’s Beverage Director, tells PEOPLE. “The whisky tasting is intertwined in a number of ways and accentuates both the illusions and story Scott tells throughout the night.”
Though Silven s alluring hocus pocus intertwined with enchanting tales from his childhood in Scotland s Ochil Hills was the main event, the three-course meal was impressive in of itself. That s a pop culture reference-loaded way to describe the unique, immersive dinner theater experience of At The Illusionist s Table , currently in a 12-week exclusive engagement at the McKittrick Hotel in New York City.
The audience gasped and applauded as they witnessed the seemingly impossible become a reality right before their eyes. Another standout moment was when Blaine made a live elephant appear on stage. The majestic creature materialized out of thin air, stunning everyone in the theater.
Dinner and a Magic Show: Mentalist Scott Silven Hosts 'At The Illusionist's Table' Inside N.Y.C.'s Famed McKittrick Hotel
Take one part Clue, mix in some David Copperfield, add a double pour of Scotch and hire a Sex and the City chef. That’s a pop culture reference-loaded way to describe the unique, immersive dinner theater experience of At The Illusionist’s Table, currently in a 12-week exclusive engagement at the McKittrick Hotel in New York City.
The McKittrick Hotel is best known as the home of the Off-Broadway hit Sleep No More, which invites a masked audience to explore the 100,000-square-foot venue filled with intricate, macabre sets and an interactive cast performing a loose adaptation of Macbeth. Other spaces within the McKittrick include the rooftop Gallow Green bar and restaurant and the jazz-inspired concert hall, the Manderley Bar. Now, yet another room, The Heath, is transformed into an ethereal setting for mentalist Scott Silven’s At The Illusionist’s Table.
Upon arrival, guests were ushered into a train car (We mentioned the McKittrick sets are elaborate, right?) just outside The Heath and served cocktails or wine, as well as some elegant finger foods. The Camisa Negra cocktail, which includes “activated charcoal” as an ingredient, was a deliciously strange and unusual harbinger for the rest of the evening.
giafreseSoon thereafter, this assorted group of strangers were shown to their assigned seats around a large, rectangular, candle-lit table for 28 in the center of an otherwise dark room. At this point, our magical and mysterious host introduced himself. Charming, handsome, and surprisingly young for a professional illusionist (What did we expect? Who knows…), the Scotsman immediately launched into a mind-reading trick involving the unlikely guess of one guest’s favorite number. More tricks, illusions, sleight of hand and seemingly deft feats of mental telepathy were interspersed throughout the night. Meanwhile, a gourmet meal courtesy of former Pastis chef Pascal Le Seac’h, including a whisky tasting, was enjoyed by all.
WATCH: Illusionist Mat Franco Wins America’s Got Talent
Later in the evening, Silven correctly predicted that a guest would draw a rabbit after asking her to visualize an object during a guided group meditation. He revealed this fact after highlighting the name of the libation we’d been sipping: The Bunny.
Want the ultimate dish on the latest celebrity food news, plus exclusive recipes, videos and more? Click here to subscribe to the People Food newsletter.
“Being from Edinburgh, the experience would not be complete without a Scotch pairing,” Lawrence Green, The McKittrick Hotel’s Beverage Director, tells PEOPLE. “The whisky tasting is intertwined in a number of ways and accentuates both the illusions and story Scott tells throughout the night.”
giafreseThough Silven’s alluring hocus pocus — intertwined with enchanting tales from his childhood in Scotland’s Ochil Hills — was the main event, the three-course meal was impressive in of itself. On this particular evening’s menu, seafood risotto was paired with a tiny message-in-a-bottle of broth, the roasted chicken entree was accompanied by vegetable platters served family style, and the chocolate torte for dessert was a truly magical experience.
“Our culinary team worked directly with Scott to make sure that each course of the dinner I created was inspired by the narrative of the experience,” the McKittrick Hotel’s Executive Chef, Pascal Le Seac’h, tells PEOPLE. “The meal engages the senses, adds subliminal dimension, and most importantly provokes table conversation. We also had a fun opportunity to incorporate Scott’s magic directly into the meal. You have to see it to find out how!”
By the end of the night, 28 strangers had formed an intense, albeit fleeting bond. Piled into the old wooden elevator after the show, guests took turns ribbing each other for being undercover accomplices within Silven’s routine — but it was all in good fun. Whether the interactions were real or illusory, every guest took part in the show as a bit player or as part of a larger trick. And, perhaps, the intimate nature of our collective experience was the most surprising treat of all.
Experience At The Illusionist’s Table inside the McKittrick Hotel, 530 West 27th St., N.Y.C; Book tickets, from $145, here through Jan. 14, 2018.
Though Silven’s alluring hocus pocus — intertwined with enchanting tales from his childhood in Scotland’s Ochil Hills — was the main event, the three-course meal was impressive in of itself. On this particular evening’s menu, seafood risotto was paired with a tiny message-in-a-bottle of broth, the roasted chicken entree was accompanied by vegetable platters served family style, and the chocolate torte for dessert was a truly magical experience.
The illusion was so convincing that many spectators could hardly believe their senses, questioning their own perception of reality. Throughout the evening, Blaine engaged with the audience, inviting volunteers to participate in his tricks. One lucky individual even had the opportunity to have their own wedding ring magically restored after it had vanished. The interactive nature of the show added an extra layer of excitement and engagement for the audience. The grand finale of the night was a mind-reading performance that left everyone astounded. Blaine accurately predicted personal details and thoughts of audience members, causing jaws to drop and creating an atmosphere of wonderment. His ability to tap into the subconscious minds of strangers was truly extraordinary. In conclusion, the magic performance by David Blaine at the McKittrick Hotel was nothing short of astonishing. Blaine's ability to defy physics, make objects appear and disappear, and read minds left the audience spellbound. It was an unforgettable night of disbelief and wonder, and a testament to the power of magic to captivate and amaze..
Reviews for "Prepare to have your mind blown: The magic show at McKittrick"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I was so disappointed with the magic performance at the McKittrick. The tricks were predictable and lacked any sense of astonishment. The magician seemed more interested in his own showmanship than actually wowing the audience. The tricks were poorly executed, and it was obvious how he was pulling off each illusion. I would not recommend this show to anyone looking for a truly mind-blowing magic experience.
2. Mike - 2 stars - While the setting at McKittrick was atmospheric and intriguing, the actual magic performance was lackluster. The magician's tricks were unimpressive and felt outdated. It felt like watching a magic show from the 80s rather than something innovative and astonishing. The audience participation segments were forced and awkward. Overall, I was disappointed and felt like I wasted my money on a subpar magic performance.