A magical plot

Avant-garde showgirl Marisa Carnesky stands on a box in a gold and purple costume, a collision between World War I nurse and She-Ra, decorated with Masonic symbols. She delivers a plummy-toned description of how she, a 'mag-ish-ee-en', will stab a box containing her assistant, then proceeds to do a mime version of the trick on thin air, to rapturous applause. Hmm, this isn't Britain's Got Talent sort of magic shtick.

Carnesky, a stalwart of London club Duckie and the brains behind 2004 hit Carnesky's Ghost Train, uses magic and illusion as a metaphor for war. Her plucky assistant, dressed in a soldier's costume, delivers a monologue about how the military has used magic throughout recent history, while tied to a chair with bandages - before commencing a comically shambolic escapology routine.

Later, Carnesky asks volunteer Katy, a fund manager, if she'd be willing to chop her finger off to start an anti-capitalist revolution.

Sadly, the points Carnesky tries to make regarding the treatment of terrorists are largely lost on the audience, who are baying for poor Katy's head to get chopped off with a guillotine.

The magic and anti-war sermonising isn't always an easy mix but Carnesky is a likeable performer, and the show never takes itself too seriously. Let the politics wash over you and watch Carnesky levitate, stick metal sheets through her flunky and learn how we're all part of a secret, magical plot.

Until Sat, Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street W1, 10pm (extra perf Fri 11.30pm), £15, £12.50 concs. Tel: 0870 429 6883. Tube: Tottenham Court Road

Magic War
Soho Theatre
Dean Street, W1D 3NE