It’s the time of year when the UK tunes in to one of its most cherished annual events: the Royal Variety Performance. This year, ITV pulled out all the stops for their star-studded show, hosted by the dynamic duo of Amanda Holden and Alan Carr, with the distinguished presence of His Majesty, King Charles III.
Amanda Holden expressed her excitement about hosting, declaring, "It truly is such an honour to be hosting the Royal Variety Performance this year. I’m still pinching myself! This is a dream job, and Alan is a true friend. We are already bursting with ideas and excitement; it’s going to be such a fun night!" She recalled her tenure on Britain’s Got Talent, proudly watching winners perform for the Royal Family over the years.
Among the glittering lineup of performers, magician and presenter Stephen Mulhern captivated the audience with his astounding magic and illusions. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as he prepared to deliver his act, but not without adding his own flair of humor and interaction.
Stephen took to the stage with confidence, presenting what he dramatically called "a detonator" to the audience. "I need to show you this; this here is a detonator. Now, let me tell you, when you press this button here, it changes the entire show. It sets off fireworks, it changes the lighting, it changes the music," he explained, urging for someone responsible from the audience to take charge of the device.
He spotted Adam, one of the audience members, and cheekily entrusted him with the red button. "At any time you see something funny during my act, I want you to press this red button, and then fireworks, the whole thing; we’re going to turn this show party time!" Stephen playfully warned him to be careful.
Aside from the comedic interactions, Stephen's act held richer emotional depth. Performing one of his signature tricks involving tearing paper, he opened up about his personal connection to the performance. "Now, I know what you’re thinking. Why would I do such a small trick here at the Royal Albert Hall in front of millions of people watching at home?" His tone turned serious as he continued, "Well, there’s a reason I do this trick: I don’t want to bring the atmosphere down, but my Grandad taught me how to do this trick when I was just 11 years old. Sadly, my Grandad passed away two weeks ago…"
Just as he shared this heartfelt sentiment, Adam impulsively pressed the button, and streamers exploded onto the stage, catching Stephen off guard. "Stop this! That was the wrong time, my friend! What the hell were you thinking?!" he exclaimed. The unexpected event led to both laughter and applause, highlighting the unpredictability of live performances.
Not one to dwell on his misfortune, Stephen quickly turned the moment around. After escorting Adam behind the curtain for the unforeseen mishap, he resumed his act, even levitating Amanda Holden, much to the delight of everyone present.
Once he concluded his performance, Stephen took the time to acknowledge the painful loss he had endured recently, stating, "That was for you, dad." This poignant dedication, directed to his late father, Christopher, who had passed away earlier this year, gave the audience insight not just to his magic skills but to the man behind them.
It wasn’t the first time Stephen had his heart on display during the performance. His candid acknowledgment of grief was intertwined with his entertaining nature, captivating viewers at home and those lucky enough to witness it live.
Mulhern, known for his engaging presence on shows like Deal or No Deal and Dancing on Ice, has had one of the toughest years of his life. Following his father’s passing, he also faced medical challenges, collapsing due to a reaction from anesthesia after undergoing a procedure just days before the performance.
Despite these hardships, he showcased resilience with humor and sentiment through his craft, marking the event with moments of levity, magic, and heartfelt tribute to his family. The diversity of entertainment highlighted at the Royal Variety Performance seemed to resonate well with audiences, leaving them both chuckling and touched.
Viewers have accessed the full Royal Variety Performance via ITVX and celebrated it as one of the standout moments of the television calendar.
