Nestled on the corner of a residential road, just a short walk away from Hampstead tube station, The Well Walk Theatre is a hidden gem for London families. Offering a quaint children’s bookshop, a cosy cafe and a small but perfectly formed playhouse, a visit to this welcoming venue is more just another theatre trip. It’s an experience that transports you from the streets of modern day London into a whimsical, Victorian universe with more than just a little French flair. Everything produced in-house here is carefully crafted to match the building’s aesthetic, and appeal to both the young and young at heart. Their latest production, Magic Bistro fits this bill perfectly, serving up sophisticated silliness with a side of silent movie magic.
The scene is a Parisian bistro, where a wistful waiter (the multi-talented Zina Drouche) dreams of becoming a magician. When an elegant guest (Marina Turmo) arrives, our unlikely illusionist seizes the opportunity to dazzle her during dinner. The unsuspecting patron finds herself experiencing a magical tasting menu, with plenty of sparkle but rather less food than she might have anticipated.
It’s a gentle, stylish show with a nostalgic Charlie Chaplin style vibe. The non-verbal nature makes it extremely accessible to audiences of all ages, as well as those for whom English is not a first language. The performances are impressively slick, combining understated clowning with some genuinely impressive trickery, along with some nice audience interaction. The set and costume design (also by Zina Drouche) and quirky handmade props (by Carmela Arbelaez) offer up a visual feast, complemented by Sherry Coenen’s lighting design.
Running at around 35 minutes, it’s engaging from start to finish, holding the attention of audience members of all ages throughout. The pacing is perfect and there’s no attempt at padding the narrative beyond its natural lifespan. Like the perfect meal, it leaves you satisfied but not stuffed. There is also the option to book an evening “Soiree Dinner”, where the show takes place after a candlelit French dinner, paired with a curated selection of wines and champagne.
Overall, Magic Bistro is a charming and whimsical production that works for all ages, and will certainly whet your appetite for another course at the Well Walk Theatre.
Magic Bistro plays at the Well Walk Theatre from 25 April to 31 May 2026. We received a complimentary ticket to the 2.30pm performance on 2 May.
Photo credit: Yulia Orlova. Poster design: Marina Turmo.