the acclaimed magic & puzzles show
by a New York Times crossword constructor
Following wildly successful runs in New York City, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Chicago and Toronto, renowned magician and The New York Times crossword constructor David Kwong brings his immersive magic and puzzles experience to the UK for the first time, to coincide with American Thanksgiving.
Part magic show, part puzzle quest, Kwong’s intriguing blend of sleight-of-hand, wordplay, and brain-twisting enigmas pulls you straight into the mystery.
The Los Angeles Times raves that Kwong “creates a magical sense of togetherness” and The New York Times declares, “it’s like a spin class for the frontal lobe… by the time Kwong finished, the room was loopy with delight.”
The Enigmatist invites you to solve puzzles, chase clues, and gasp at impossibilities – all before the final jaw-dropping reveal. Clues are everywhere, so keep your eyes open and be ready for surprises behind every multi-layered illusion.
Created and performed by David Kwong.
Produced by Erica Fee and James Seabright. Originally produced by Andy Jones and Dylan Pager.
Coming to London in 2025, with US dates to be announced for 2026!
With his expertise in enigmas and illusions, David Kwong delights and challenges audiences around the world with his intellectual brand of magic.
A veteran “cruciverbalist” (crossword puzzle constructor), Kwong routinely creates puzzles for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Wall Street Journal.
A TED Talk favourite, Kwong regularly speaks to companies, demonstrating the principles of illusion and the science of why your brain is fooled. Kwong’s book Spellbound: Seven Principles of Illusion to Captivate Audiences and Unlock the Secrets of Success was published by Harper Business. His kids’ book of magic tricks, How to Fool Your Parents, is currently in its fourth printing.
Kwong’s one-man show, The Enigmatist, has previously played to sold-out crowds in New York, the Geffen Playhouse, Chicago Shakes, and the Kennedy Center. Inside the Box, Kwong’s virtual show about puzzles, games, and wordplay, garnered a Critic’s Pick from the New York Times.
Kwong is a graduate of Harvard University, where he studied the history of magic.
Brett is a designer for theater, opera, film, and live performance based in Brooklyn, NY. In 2019, Brett made his Geffen Playhouse design debut with Mysterious Circumstances, which earned an Ovation nomination for Best Set Design. Broadway: The Outsiders, The Notebook, The Cher Show. Recent credits: Camp Siegfried, Your Own Personal Exegesis, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, An Officer and a Gentleman, Sunday and Ghost Light. Brett currently serves as International Scenic Supervisor for all worldwide productions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Brett is a faculty member at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Brendan's Off-Broadway credits include Fire in Dreamland, Balls (Drama Desk Nomination), Wild Abandon, {my lingerie play} and beep boop. Regional credits include Everybody, The Good Person of Szechwan, War of the Roses, The Glass Menagerie, Othello, The Unfortunates, John, The Hard Problem, Chester Bailey, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and The Music Man.
Joshua is a video, lighting, scenic, and interactive designer, creating experiences for theater, concerts, opera, and events. He also designed Inside the Box for David Kwong. Other recent video designs include Blue, Così fan tutte, Die Ägyptische Helena, Hansel und Gretel, King Arthur, Acquanetta Ira Glass’ Seven Things… and Sufjan Stevens’ Carrie and Lowell. He teaches design at MIT.
Marketing and press: marketing@seabright.org
Book the show at your venue:office@seabright.org
Seabright Live London office: 020 7439 1173