one4review | On 27, Aug 2024

With a decade of Fringe experience up his sleeves, Ben Hart returns with a show incorporating a selection of some of his very favourite tricks from his past shows. It’s an eclectic and fascinating mix.

Even to those unfamiliar with his numerous previous shows and TV appearances, it’s clear from the offset than Hart is an extremely accomplished magician. The show was billed as comedy/magic but it’s comedy with a small c and magic with an emphatic capital M. Fortunately, you’re in safe hands – each of Hart’s tricks is as baffling as they are charming. However, the truly magical part of the show is really the staging and lighting which transform the (already beautiful) Palais Du Variete spiegeltent into a world of delights and wonders. Sand falls gently from the ceiling, lanterns descend and float, snow shoots from cannons. And all the while Hart weaves tales of magic before demonstrating impossible acts.

There is a little roughness to the show, which at point seems to lack cohesion – perhaps because it’s a selection of “greatest hits”. Hart’s spooky monologues on magical events clash somewhat with his joke cracking and his, it must be said, slightly awkward patter with the crowd. The happiest Hart ever seemed was presenting his final trick, which was also one of his earliest, where the jokes were quicker, smoother and felt more natural. I wonder if there’s a pressure on magician’s to present a “dark” and “cool” persona and if so, I think that’s a shame as Hart is more than skilled enough to be cool by merit of his talent alone.

****
Reviewed by Tom
Assembly George Square Gardens – Palais du Variete