| 09 August 2011
Taking its title ‘Principles and Deceptions’ from Arthur Buckley’s seminal text on practical manipulative magic, award-winning TV magician Ali Cook brings to the Fringe an impressive hour of magical illusions with a dash of comedy thrown in for good measure. Prepare for all manner of magic from the slight of hand to the sublime.
Drawing upon the great magical and thinking minds of the last century, including the likes of Houdini and Freud, Cook aims to add gravitas and insight to his show. While this method certainly ramps up the anticipation and apparent professionalism of the act (yes, he does know the trick that confounded the great Houdini for months), it all feels like a trite Derren Brown instalment. There is even the obligatory suspended box in the corner of the room, ready to be lowered at the appropriate moment to baffle us with its contents à la ‘how on earth did that get there!’ applause and feigned surprise.
If you enjoy magic shows, then this is a well-constructed and varied show that will keep you captivated; the man can plop live goldfish from his mouth, for goodness sake! His quips and jests lighten the atmosphere, even if they are not the stuff of comedy gold. His slight of hand is impressive, and so is the lavishness of his tricks. As he himself pronounces, he has the “skills to pay the bills.” However, if you are a magic cynic like me, then this offering is going to neither change nor blow your mind.
Ali Cook: Principles and Deceptions, Gilded Balloon, 3-29 Aug (not 17), 9.30 pm
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