As you walk into McEwan Hall to find your seat, Colin sits blindfolded mid-stage, hands gently resting on his thighs. He is motionless as fog creeps around him. It is dark except for the bold red letters: Colin Cloud. Most people know of this world-famous mentalist by now, and so the question that tenses the room is: Is it real?
One thing is certain: You will wonder.
Consequences is Colin’s latest show at the Fringe, following his Las Vegas headlining show, Mastermind. The room is full of believers and sceptics. In a daring display of magic, he will unlock your iPhone, ask you to possibly pull out his tongue, and make you answer personal questions no one should know. The show is also a commemoration of his grandfather and his past, weaving between the magic stories such as the deck of cards he used to hide in the drawer to bring a shy young Colin out of his shell.
But Colin Cloud’s performance isn’t without fault. There were some minor hiccups along the way.
In Colin’s defence, one of the gentlemen forgot what he was meant to remember, displaying the risks of enlisting an audience of strangers to partake in the magic. It is a shame and frustrating in an otherwise consistent show. If a trick could go wrong, why not just remove it? I would argue that a misstep displayed Colin’s ambition, risk-taking and ability to ride the wave of uncertainty in a live performance without ever losing control, even if a trick goes sideways.
But do flaws ruin the show? No. Seeing Colin Cloud live is like entering a daze where he’s the MC, and your mind is held in suspense. It is a world-class act. He powerfully commands the stage and the audience. And Consequence is more than just a magic show. It feels like Cloud’s thank-you letter to his life’s inspiration: his grandfather. He takes us on a trip deep into his origin story: his childhood, his university days, and his love for Sherlock Holmes. It feels personal and humanises this galactico of magic. One thing is certain: You will wonder.
