Festival Magic
MagicFest adds Xmas shows
Edinburgh’s festival of magic is casting a spell over the Christmas festivities this week as it adds an eight show run of Collection of Wonders at the George Square theatre.
Billed as “a new magic experience with a festive twist”, the variety-style production is the first time that MagicFest has taken on a Christmas show. It will be running two performances a day from Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 December 2016.
MagicFest Christmas Special: Collection of Wonders
Each two hour show will feature five magicians, including MagicFest founder and artistic director, Kevin Quantum, who will be acting as compere. He will also perform some of his own act which fuses visual magic with modern technology and unique inventions. And, Æ understands, a certain aspect of levitation.
International flavour comes from French sleight-of-hand illusionist Florian Sainvet, who will present a brand new “money from thin air” illusion in his award-winning futuristic act.
There’s home-grown talent from 15 year-old Adam Black who was the youngest ever winner of MagicFest’s own under-18 War of the Wizards competition in 2012. One of Scotland’s up and coming magic talents, he is skilled at sleight-of-hand magic and has recently been incorporating his obsession with the Rubik’s Cube into his show.
Classic magic techniques are represented by smooth talking Matthew J Dowden with his “Magic of the Movies” show, inspired by Hollywood.
mind-boggling demonstrations
The final spot is split between two leading Scottish acts. Drew McAdam is appearing on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 only. He has baffled audiences at home and across the world with his mind-boggling demonstrations of spoon-bending and mind-reading.
On Thursday 29 and Friday 30, it’s the turn of Edinburgh’s sleight-of-hand master: Lewis Barlow. A consultant to the BBC and past president of the Edinburgh Magic Circle, he is one of Scotland’s finest prestidigitators.
Quantum says: “Christmas is so special for me – spending time with family, eating lots of food and of course going to live shows and pantos, which is why I’m so happy to host the inaugural Christmas show for people to enjoy with friends and family right before New Year.”
MagicFest’s Summer festival of 2016 reached over 10,000 people. The event returns in the Summer, running from 30 June – 8 July 2017.
Listing
MagicFest Christmas Special: Collection of Wonders
George Square Theatre, University of Edinburgh, George Square, EH8 9LD
Tuesday 27 – Friday 30 December 2016
Daily: 2pm & 7pm
Recommended for ages 5+. Running time two hours (including interval).
Tickets online: www.magicfest.co.uk
Also from: Fringe Box Office, 180 High Street, EH1 1QS (0131 226 0006)
MagicFest website: www.magicfest.co.uk
Event facebook page: www.facebook.com
MagicFest on Twitter: @magicfest
MagicFest onFacebook edmagicfest
ENDS
