Dan Bastianelli: Identity
★★★☆☆ Charming
theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, Theatre 1 (Venue 53), Fri 1 to Sat 9 August 2025
Review by Marion Geoffray
Edinburgh-based magician Dan Bastianelli is no stranger to the Fringe. Following sold-out shows in 2023 and 2024, he returns with Identity at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, questioning why he does magic in the first place.
His identity crisis unfolds through a randomised magic experience in which the audience determines the fate of the show and by extension his own — one trick at a time.
Dan Basianelli in Identity.
The setting is intimate: a small stage with a couple of tables and a carefully arranged selection of props. There’s nowhere to hide — Bastianelli lays himself bare, both figuratively and literally, peppering personal anecdotes with impressive card tricks.
From the outset, the audience is actively involved — physically and verbally participating in each act. Bastianelli works the room well. Even when his audience is initially slow to respond, he proves himself a highly skilled magician, not only in sleight of hand but also in his playful ability to build anticipation and deliver surprise. As the grand finale arrives, the room erupts in claps, gasps, and delighted whoops.
meaningful
The transitions between segments can, at times, feel a little clunky, and the overall pacing of the show occasionally lacks momentum. Yet as Bastianelli reflects on the sometimes chaotic nature of life, the apparent unpredictability of the narrative begins to feel intentional — and meaningful.
Ultimately, Identity gently encourages us to accept who we are and to embrace being ourselves. The real magic, as Bastianelli suggests, resides in the mind — in what we choose to believe, regardless of what may (or may not) be happening on stage. This is a charming performance that does the trick!
Running time: 50 minutes (no interval).
TheSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall (Theatre 1), Nicolson Street, EH8 9DW (Venue 53).
Fri 1 to Sat 9 August 2025.
Daily: 6.25pm.
Tickets and details: Book here on EdFringe.com.
Facebook: @danbastianelli
Instagram: @danbastianelli
Dan Basianelli in Identity.
ENDS
