Original Review:

Show Rating:

Anyway, the fact that I was won round is a testament to Firman’s skill, both as a magician and comedian. He’s amiable, too, so not to worry if you do end up as part of his act.

His hour is a mixture of genuine, skilful tricks and a couple of deliberately crap stunts that fail to work. He begins with one of these (though presumably this could have gone either way) with a mindreading trick that results in Firman opening proceedings dressed as a giant fruit.

Moving on to the first trick proper, a lady is plucked from the audience to assist him and his maggots, which was swiftly followed by probably the most impressive trick here, featuring three wedding rings belonging to audience members. Later on there’s some mucking about with an egg. Throughout all of these, no matter how much you glare at his shirt cuffs and unblinkingly stare to spot the sleight of hand, you just can’t see it, there’s no clue at all.

Along the way the bouffanted and bell-bottomed Firman returns to the clowning of the opening routine with a bad French pun, a giraffe with a rare neck disorder and some beard trickery.

The show is rounded off with an impressive broken bottle trick, unspoilt despite the surly, audience-plucked assistant (oh, that’ll have been me then). He then briefly returns to the stage for a silly dance performed with just a touch of magic - which sums up Firman’s style, really.

Reviewed by: Marissa Burgess