If you ever play poker at a casino, be sure to bring Andrew Frost along. He's the guy you want in your corner. Frost makes his debut at this year's Fringe with Cards on the Table—a true masterclass in playing cards. On stage, a table covered with a black tablecloth is illuminated by a desk lamp. In the corner, a camera streams a live feed of the table onto a screen so everyone in the room can see. Frost sits across from the audience like a dealer, guiding us through a journey of personal anecdotes, sleight of hand, and magic.
A true masterclass in playing cards
The show is divided into two parts. The first is an introduction to sleight of hand, reminiscent of card counting and tricks you might encounter in a casino. The second act is all about magic. These two sections complement each other perfectly, as understanding the factual elements enhances the mystery of the tricks. It will leave you speechless.
Frost is a true gentleman. His confidence and calm demeanor put the room at ease, making everyone feel comfortable as he remains cool, collected, and in control. As with most magic shows, there is an opportunity for audience participation. I'm delighted to share that this time around, yours truly was picked to go on stage.
Frost handed me a deck of cards and asked me to pick one. I chose the king of spades, showed it to the audience, and placed it back in the deck. I shuffled the cards as best as I could and held onto them. Frost then looked into my eyes confidently and asked: "Would you believe me if I told you your card is no longer in that deck?"
I was speechless. My first thought was: How? My mind raced, searching for a rational explanation as I stared at him. I can only imagine what my face must have looked like. I hadn't taken my eyes off the deck or Frost, so where did my card go? I won't spoil the reveal, but it sent chills down my spine. He then asked me to pick two more cards, which also vanished from the deck I never let go of.
There is a feeling of wonder and disbelief when you experience something unexplainable. You'll walk into Cards on the Table certain about reality and leave with a bit of doubt and some newfound knowledge about playing cards. It took Andrew Frost over a decade to prepare this show, and it was well worth the wait.
