The Magic Duel
The Magic Duel
5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
TripAdvisor's DC Comedy favorite, The Magic Duel is back with live shows on most Saturday nights at The Mayflower Hotel. Two snarky, sleight-of-hand masters battle for the title of 'Washington DC's Best Magician'. Audience members participate by choosing the challenges, assisting on stage, and voting for their favorite to win. Laugh, be amazed, and then cast your vote to decide who wins the coveted 'Golden Wand' award. A unique mix of comedy, magic, and audience participation, The Magic Duel is designed for audiences 12 years and older. Come enjoy a glamorous Saturday night at the historic Mayflower Hotel - Autograph Collection.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Top ways to experience The Magic Duel and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Downtown
How to get there
- Mount Vernon Square • 3 min walk
- Metro Center • 9 min walk
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2,598 within 3 miles
Attractions
871 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
232 reviews
Excellent
218
Very good
13
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
KarumbaSantaFe
Santa Fe408 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
Thank you to Goldstar for suggesting this place. It turned out to be a very fun and imaginative evening. I was lucky enough to enjoy the Hollywood Magic Castle several years ago and while it was a great experience, I would rate this higher for several reasons. This show took place in a small room with chairs staggered by height so that no one had an obstructed view. Since there were only 4 rows and no more than 15 chairs per row this was definitely an intimate event. I could see every trick perfectly and that made the illusions even better. The show was in the Maison Biltmore on Biltmore street in Adams Morgan. It was a 15 minute walk from the Woodley Park Metro. There are restaurants nearby for early dining. The house was well lit in front and had a great outdoor patio which must be fabulous in warm weather. We were greeted and free to select any seat byt those in the front row. Since we arrived early, we had a chance to meet both Brian Curry and Mark Phillips. They walked around and chatted with everyone and also demonstrated a few magic tricks. The first half of the show was a rapid fire succession of magic tricks and sleight of hand performed alternately by these two. They engaged the audience continually with lots of magic and improvisation. If they ever decided to pack away their wands, they could definitely be a stand up comedy duo. The 2nd half was all about the audience with members being drafted to "perform" magic. This was a great opportunity to showcase their skills with handling and adapting to their audience. At intermission, the audience voted for the Best DC magician who was then half heartily presented with the "golden wand". There were also Izze drinks, sodas and water available for the audience. The performers posed and chatted with everyone afterwards. There were lots of innuendos and references during the show but all was acceptable for family. Definitely, a fabulous, fun and creative show. May their battle for best magician rage on!!! Don't miss this show and tell all your friends about it!!! Tickets were very reasonable for the quality of the entertainment and the close proximity to the performers. A DC must!
Written January 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What an awesome review! Thank you so much, I'm glad you had a good time. We've had some amazing audiences--it's hard to do a bad show!
Written January 18, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Earl W
16 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
I am a magic enthusiast so I might be a little biased. The show was terrific. The comedy was great. Brian and Mark work great together. The audience interaction, loved it! Highly recommend it.
I thought the sound was not adequate. I struggled to hear them speak at times.
I thought the sound was not adequate. I struggled to hear them speak at times.
Written October 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review! I'm so glad you had fun. I agree about the sound. Last weekend we did have trouble with one of our mic's, we hope to have that fixed before our next show.
Written October 18, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mikekap24
Boston, MA58 contributions
Oct 2019
I like trying new things. Especially when I visit new places. On a Saturday while in DC my wife and I booked tickets to see the dual.. it was fun! The entertainment kept us engaged from start to finish and had us laughing while we were sitting in amazement. The biggest challenge - it's in a hotel banquet room. They provided pitchers of water but there was no drink service down there (as advertised) so after having a drink or two beforehand but then not continuing to drink during the show we were a bit burnt out.
That's not to say we're soured on the experience - we still tell friends about it and encourage anyone looking for a fun night to check it out. But what makes a magic dual more fun? more alcohol!
That's not to say we're soured on the experience - we still tell friends about it and encourage anyone looking for a fun night to check it out. But what makes a magic dual more fun? more alcohol!
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LOL - thanks for the great review! We considered putting a bar in the showroom but it is simply cost-prohibitive. We literally would have to raise the ticket price $10 and people would still have to pay for their drinks. It is not a perfect solution but audience members CAN bring drinks from the lobby bar Edgar into the show beforehand and get more during intermission. Some folks have even bought bottles of wine at Edgar and brought them into the show! Your review helps future audiences be more prepared! Thanks again.
Written January 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gregg-Midlo
Midlothian, VA227 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
No matter your reason for being in the area take 90 minutes and spoil your self. Their magic is spell binding, their comedy will have tears rolling down your face while and you and your guests are in for a rare treat of going to a show but feel like you are being given a private performance. Whether you are in DC to tour, in town for a Brthday bash or here for business spoil your self and your friends to one of the best hidden gems in DC area and not expensive.
Written February 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow, what a great review. Thank you so much! We really appreciate it!
Brian
Written February 13, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
diant53
McLean, VA170 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
A really fun and entertaining show. Really fun and amazing magic, well presented with built in comedy, though the magic itself is the centerpiece. These 2 guys are great!
Written January 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim
Morrisville, NC27 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
This show was amazing! Side splitting comedy and awesome magic. You never knew what was going on. The ad lib, the banter, and the inclusion of the audience was superb. I almost fell out of my chair laughing so hard. Their magic left you stunned and wondering how they did that. I left the show still trying to figure out what happened and how they did it. Plus Mark's mustache is epic. Highly recommend going to see these two in action.
Written July 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the great review! I agree with all of that except for the bit about Mark's mustache... :)
-Brian
Written July 24, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bearbranchgirl
Washington DC, DC54 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
Really enjoyed this comic parlor magic show! I've seen a lot of these small scale shows in the area and this one is a winner due to the wonderful energy and humor of the two "rival" magicians. The audience seemed to be 20s, 30s, but my 15 year old son loved it as did I. Get there early for a better seat and chance to be picked for audience interaction.
Written January 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much! We're glad you and your son enjoyed the show!
Brian
Written January 31, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lori A
5 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
What a joke, and I'm not talking funny. It was obviously staged with who would be choosen out of the audience. It started funny and got worse once it went. Simple tricks that were prestaged even though the impression was someone in the audience picked the topic. Not worth the price and I would not recommend it. Complete waste of money
Written June 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Obviously, everyone has their own thoughts on what is funny and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Your one-star review, however, is so out of character with all our other reviews, I have to think we must have said or done something to personally offend you. I wish you had spoken with us right away at the show or that you had contacted us directly to discuss the issue. I hope you will contact us directly to tell us exactly what led to this extreme review and, hopefully, to clear up any misunderstanding. Mark@TheMagicDuel.com
Written July 8, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Megan C
57 contributions
Apr 2022
The Magic Duel was such a good time for me and my boyfriend! Mark and Ryan are wonderful performers, comedians, and magicians. Their tricks were truly impressive. I have attended a few large, touring magic productions, and can honestly say I enjoyed Mark and Ryan's tricks more. They work with the crowd, nearly having a volunteer for each trick, to really immerse you in the experience. Highly recommend, and hope to see more shows in the future!
Written May 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much!
Written May 16, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John C
Burke, VA105 contributions
Feb 2020
We can enthusiastically recommend this show. This lively show features excellent magic, audience involvement and decent banter between the magicians. My wife and I were left wondering, "How did they do that?" about more than one trick. The small crowd size affords everyone a good view of the stage. The ballroom in the historic Mayflower Hotel is a pleasant setting.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will the Magic Duel be performing at the end of December? We are planning a trip to DC at that time.
Written August 16, 2018
Thanks for your interest! We don’t know what dates we will be performing in December yet. The big challenge is that the Mayflower’s Ballrooms are in high demand on Saturdays in December because of corporate and association Holiday events. We will probably have our December dates listed by October so please keep checking here on TripAdvisor and on our website.
Written August 16, 2018
Is the dress code really cocktail attire? That seems odd.
Written June 1, 2018
Hi,
There is no enforced dress code. By choosing our beautiful venue, insisting that our show is for adults, not kids, and recommending a dress code, we are trying to create a specific atmosphere for our show. We constantly get feedback from audiences saying they chose our show to celebrate a special event; that they wanted something out of the ordinary. We could be in a more casual venue, sell more seats to each show, and encourage people to bring their kids, but that show would feel radically different from what we now have. Our reviews suggest to us that we are on the right track. Please let us know what you think after you have seen the Magic Duel.
Written June 21, 2018
Saw a notice of a version of "Catch Me" that you're doing at a different venue -- one where, it said, the audience picks the style in which the magic is to be performed. When /where is that?
Written February 10, 2017
Hi Murray, the current "home" for Catch Me is the Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC. We do have some out of town shows in the works, one at the BlackRock Center in Gaithersburg and one at a venue to be determined in Richmond. The format of the show is always "The Magic Duel," in which the audience selects different styles of magic which the contestants must perform. This will not change regardless of where we perform the show. Our advertising and marketing language varies from time to time, so it may not have been mentioned somewhere. It is a hallmark of our show. I hope this answers your question.
Written February 10, 2017
Hi
I wanna go to this show with my mom, but she doesn´t speak English, do you think she will understand?
Thanks
Written July 8, 2015
Unfortunately, this show is script heavy. There will be parts she enjoys, however she will miss much of the show if she doesn't understand English. Thanks for asking!
Written July 9, 2015
Would this be appropriate for kids? I have 4 kids ages 17 to 7. Thanks.
Written March 12, 2015
While the show isn't inappropriate, it's not geared in any way for kids. Your 17 year old would probably love the show, however the style magic needed to captivate a 7 year old is not the kind of magic you'll see in this show. We generally suggest that this show is for ages 15+.
Written March 12, 2015
Do I need 1st row seating or is general seating good?
Written March 2, 2015
There's not a bad seat in the house. Front row gets you right in front of the action, but you can see everything from general seating as well. It's 'open' seating, so I would suggest arriving 30 minutes before showtime to pick a seat near the middle for best viewing.
Written March 2, 2015
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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