Rob Drummond as William Wonder takes you on a journey through the mythology surrounding the 12 illusionists that have previously tried and failed ‘The Bullet Catch”: A volunteer from the audience has to shoot a bullet, from a real gun, which is then caught between the Magicians teeth. It is a trick so dangerous Houdini refused to attempt it. The show has story telling throughout mainly revolving around William Henderson, a Victorian Magician and student of Houdini, who was the last person that died attempting this trick.  This sense of forboding slowly and subtly increases the tension in the audience building up to the final act of the ‘Bullet Catch’.

From the onset a volunteer is picked from the audience to participate in Drummond’s tricks including mind reading, games of chance and ultimately they have to fire the gun at his face.  Being a bit of a sceptic I believed her to be a plant.  However as the tricks increased in their danger there was no doubting the girl was visibly nervous, which I very much doubt was faked and added realism to the show. Though this integral element could also give each days performance a different feel depending on who is picked from the audience.  

It is a sophisticated, charming, flawlessly executed performance with moments where the audience is both gripped and stunned.  

Bullet Catch

Traverse Theatre,

Aug 5-26, Times Vary