Super Mario
8 Jul 2025
This month, world-renowned magician Mario comes to Bristol Old Vic with his sell-out show for kids Mario The Maker Magician. Mario has performed on Broadway, on Sesame Street and for Jimmy Kimmel on Saturday Night Live.
What you may not know is the reason he's in Bristol. It's because of another magician - Bristol's own Chris Cox.
We'll thank him later, but for now, let's see why Chris thinks Mario is one of the greats...
"A few years ago I was at the Blackpool Magic Convention. It’s the biggest magic convention in the world and for something so, well, magical, it’s kinda disappointing. Or at least it was, until I saw Mario The Maker Magician deliver the most joyous, magical and wonderful hour show I have ever seen.
I am someone who has seen a LOT of magic, so much that I had to put it in capitals. I knew I had to find a way to make sure more people saw that show.
I’ve been lucky enough to tour the world, star on Broadway, four seasons in London’s West End, Sydney Opera House performing magic. I love what a magic show can do to audiences, I love watching people have the most amazing and fun time and I love how magic is something that can bring an audience of all ages together.
So when I saw Mario, I wanted to help him find his audience because I believe seeing his show will make every audience member a better human. It will make kids follow their dreams and repeat his mantra of do what you love, use what you have and have fun. And it will remind adults of the kid that’s still in them and make them reconnect with that inner child.
So I ended up bring a co-producer of Mario’s show alongside his wife Katie. As a Bristolian I couldn’t be more thrilled to be bringing Mario’s show to the iconic and historic Bristol Old Vic. For kids of all ages to be able to start their summer holidays in the most magical way, by watching his show.
It is an hour long of magic, slapstick, laughs, anarchy, home made robots, drones, chaos, joy, love and heart. The noises you'll hear your kid make, from belly laughs to shrieks of delight will stick with you all summer long. There is so much I want to say about how truly wonderful this show is, but I feel no words will do it justice. The best thing I can say is, I think my kids thought better of me as a Dad because I took them to see Mario’s show. And yours will do the same. Honestly, you won’t regret it."
Chris Cox, Producer of Mario the Maker Magician
