The Scotsman
A review of Time Travelling Magicians by Martin Gray on 28 August 2010
Now, here are two charming chaps, a pair of Victorian prestidigitators, Rhys Morgan and Robert West who – we’re told at the top of the show – have travelled to the year 2000 to dazzle with their magical prowess.
Except that they’ve overshot the mark somewhat. Not to worry, they may have left their intended audience in the Millennium dust, but they found an appreciative one at this year’s Fringe. A packed house gasp and giggled as our hirsute hosts offer tricks big and small, from dozens of needles threaded inside Mr Morgan’s mouth to signed playing cards apparently teleporting from one deck to another across the stage, to the finale, a perplexing panoply of predictions pertaining to the pages of Harry Potter.
As one of the punters invited onstage to bear witness to a trick – the aforementioned card swap – I have to say that the moment was utterly convincing… I can’t recall the last time my awe was so thoroughly struck.
In between the big tricks came more modest moments, linked by the instruction manual from time machine manufacturer Tempus Fugit and some terrifically assured patter. One of two of the smaller illusions were just a tad too small – close up magic onstage is always a risk, but overall this production is a great success. If you’ve yet to see a magic show this year, give Morgan and West a try while there’s still time.