This was the most confusing performance I have seen this Fringe. Confusing, but in a good way… I think. One part magic show, one part storytelling, one part history lesson, one part séance, Kreestan Sennakie took his audience back to the Victorian age in order to study the theories and life of Kepler - Victorian magician, performer extraordinaire and friend to the literary geniuses of the day.
Sennakie’s performance was definitely the ‘darker side of magic’ as advertised and absolutely not for the faint hearted. As the show progressed it grew continually more sinister, more horrifyingly intriguing, to the point where a small number of the audience left the room. Particularly the last ten minutes, where the séance part of the show left even the most sceptical of us unnerved and huddling together (embarrassing, I know). Just don’t go alone, and go with good humour.
Although there were moments of nerves and suspense, Sennakie also managed to add an element of humour to his show. Involving the audience on stage definitely helped this; he was both charming and funny when needed and proved a persuasive host when interacting with the audience. His mannerisms were perhaps overly theatrical but for the majority of the performance this worked well in contributing to the showmanship of the Victorian enthusiasm for magic and the supernatural.
At times both creepy and comical, even horrifying and darkly entertaining, Sennakie appeals to both the believers and sceptics of the supernatural. I would advise not entering alone, though, as Sennakie is a thoroughly believable host and could perhaps leave you questioning things you once thought unquestionable.
