Morgan & West: Crime Solving Magicians
Live Review

In this theatrical presentation, Messers Morgan and West, who make claim on the invention of a machine able to travel thought time itself, present an hour of intrigue and elegant prestidigitators for the beguilement of the good people of Edinburgh.

Our finely-dressed gentlemen vouchsafe that a crime most heinous is about to transpire in the billiard room – nothing less than their very own murder. Their hackles duly raised, they wish to apprehend the ruffian responsible and avert the tragic eventuality.

They present themselves as toffs of refinement, resplendent in waistcoats and cravats of the latest fashion, and on the stage they have recreated, with great care, the most welcoming of drawing-rooms.

No, I can’t keep this Victorian language up, even though it’s perfectly in keeping with the classy and distinctively eccentric turn-of-the-last-century motif this magician duo have created for themselves. The style, however, goes hand-in-hand with decorous understatement, and they make little song and dance about their tricks, as that would be unseemly.

Talking of which, these are a mixed bag, and for all the lovely presentation often can’t escape the generic. Some of the more lower-key parlour tricks are relatively easy to see through, although their Derren Brown style mindreading is most impressive. More attention to craftsmanship goes into a witty Cluedo device, though the payoff is again underplayed, while the escapology stunt has no jeopardy and is done in a very casual manner.

But their finale – a version of a teleportation trick Paul Daniels is also doing at this festival – is genuinely impressive, and will leave the audience scratching their heads.

They have an easy, if gentle, banter with each other, and effortlessly charm audience members into coming on stage to aid with the tricks. It’s all quietly delightful, but also restrained and close to reassuringly familiar. Where’s that adventurous Victorian spirit of derring-do?