Magic
LAUNDROMAT
A magic show in a working laundromat.
Photos by Julie Zhu
You’re doing your washing.
Doomscrolling through the spin cycle like everyone else.
You look up and see a sign that reads “Sit Here for Your Personal Magic Show.”
What do you do?
For five days in June, First Laundromat in Henderson became one of Auckland’s strangest, best little stages. People sat, we chatted, and for a few minutes they said, “Wait, what the..? How did you..?”
Then Friday and Saturday we went further and turned the whole laundromat into a proper show. Comedy from Radhika. Magic from me. Mich on MC duty, and a room full of customers, friends, neighbours, and total strangers who’d never normally end up in the same place, let alone at a show together, which is its own very special kind of magic, and really the great success of the project.
A massive thanks to Gavin from First Laundromat, who said yes to handing his laundromat over to a magician for a week and never once made it feel weird.
Thanks also to the North West Board and the Creative Communities Scheme and to Age Concern Auckland for backing it.
Thanks also to Julie, who came along and took these beautiful photos. To Radhika, for saying yes! To Mich, for holding the whole thing together. And to you, the ones who sat, stayed, laughed, and enjoyed a little bit of magic .
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© MAYA LYNCH 2026