This is Ian Kendalls 18th birthday magic show, having first shared his love of magic with Fringe audiences on the Mound back in 1992. As he comments, the Mound in 1992 was a very different place to how it is now. I remember it as the last year that there was truly something of a free for all, with performers and stall holders falling over themselves to impress you, the last year before the city council decided to licence everyone. This 1992 spirit of independence and enterprise is encapsulated by Kendall, a local whose shows are self-funded.From that beginning with a table in the outdoors, he has presented shows in many different venues on the fringe. This show celebrates his two decades in obscurity (Kendalls own quote), combining tricks old and new with anecdotes of past years.Kendall is a smooth performer, authoritative and charming, playing up and playing down to keep the audience engaged and laughing. The first trick goes wrong a worrying start for any magician - but it turns out to be the fault of an audience member who has their forgotten reading glasses. Despite this set back, he goes on to demonstrate tricks with style and verve, and a feat of amazing brain power.We didnt seem to have been treated to quite so many of Ians 18th birthday tales as some versions of the show have been, which was a shame as the mix of chat and magic works so well. However it did illustrate Kendalls ability to take the show as it comes, working with the audience and keeping them with him, even when things dont work out quite as he planned.His finale has the audience aghast, pulling off an amazing trick that none of us thought could work, and leaving us all hoping for many more years of his magic show.
