Let the 15th Edinburgh MagicFest blow away the winter blues with a feast of tricks, grand illusions, mind reading and other dazzling entertainment.
The programme has been unveiled and tickets are now on sale for some of the most fun-filled entertainment of the festive season
Running from 17 to 30 December it will feature a trio of the brightest stars of the mysterious Magic Circle including:
- Winner of The European Magic Championships and The Magic Circle Close-up Magician of the Year, Dr Will Houston
- Magician, psychologist and writer Professor Richard Wiseman
- and Edinburgh-based magician scientist Kevin Quantum.
There will be spectacular performances by the Art of Illusion; internationally renowned magic duo Chris De Rosa and Michelle Ferguson – plus so much more.
Events take place at venues across the city but, for the first time (using the power of telekinesis) the spectacular Christmas Special, will be transported out of the capital to the Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline.
But don’t worry, it will also be staged at Edinburgh’s Church Hill Theatre.
Organiser and co-founder of MagicFest Kevin Quantum said: “This is our 15th MagicFest and it’ll blow you away, with some of the finest magicians around – including some of the Magic Circle’s finest.
“As ever it will be a brilliant way to brighten up December and bring an extra sense of joy and wonder to the festive season.
“As I was raised in Fife I’m especially delighted that we are going outside Edinburgh for the first time and presenting our Christmas Special at the Carnegie Hall – where I was always loved being in the audience for the Christmas shows as a boy.”
And there will be more than magic this year with performance from the mesmerising hula hoop artist Daiquiri Dusk.
There will be a strong historical theme threading through this year’s MagicFest, as part of the Edinburgh 900 celebrations of the founding of the city.
That includes Kevin Quantum’s own Edinburgh Magic show, containing a multitude of baffling tricks linked to the city.
Magician, psychologist and writer Professor Richard Wiseman will present Edinburgh’s History of Magic, a talk exploring a little known and surprising part of Auld Reekie’s past.
As part of the festival’s outreach work there will be an exhibition of mind-bending photographic illusions created by young people from Edinburgh Young Carers. This is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund, the Edinburgh 900 Civic Fund and Kiran’s Trust.
Kate Still, The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair, said: “National Lottery players can take pride in knowing that their contributions have helped people across Scotland lead more fulfilling and connected lives.”
The exhibition Magical Edinburgh is kindly supported and hosted by the Scottish Storytelling Centre with photoshoot partners including Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, the Edinburgh International Festival and Capital Theatres.
MagicFest highlights include:
- Christmas Special: A riotous full evening show on the big stage with new, unfiltered magic and spectacular stage illusions designed to blow your mind.
- Edinburgh Magic: Kevin Quantumunlocks hidden Edinburgh and presents the magic that’s fooled the greatest minds associated with the city, from Harry Houdini to King Charles. Objects float before your eyes, money multiplies, time stands still.
- The Secret Room: Intimate performances from some of Edinburgh’s finest mystery entertainers, in an elegant townhouse full of surprises. Featuring world-class card magician Lewis Barlow, astounding sleight-of-hand artist Tim Licata and captivating magician and mind-reader Lorenzo.
- Dan Bastianelli, Deception: Following sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, award-winning magician Dan Bastianelli brings his close-up magic experience to MagicFest.
- Lorenzo, Oracle: Do You Want to See the Future?: A jaw-dropping thought-reading experience that has audiences grinning, scratching their heads and wondering if they have glimpsed their personal future. A premonition party.
- Tim Licata. Close-Up & Personal: A tale of magic, the mafia and delightful deception.
Blending tricks and illusions with colourful storytelling as Chicago-born sleight-of-hand artist Tim Licata reveals his personal journey into the conjuror’s craft. - Tricky Ricky, The After Christmas, Christmas Show: Laugh your Christmas socks off with Scotland’s “Children’s Entertainer of the year” Tricky Ricky in this funny, punny magic show.
- Will Houstoun and Richard Wiseman, Magic 101: A workshop: Psychologist Richard Wiseman and sleight of hand expert Will Houstoun introduce you to the world of magic. Learn amazing tricks, explore psychology and performance skills, and discover how to astonish and entertain your friends and family. For ages 11+, family groups welcome, participants under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult.
- Dr Houstoun’s Conjuring: Discover the truth about incredible magicians of days gone by and share the doctor’s fascination with the history of magic.
- Richard Wiseman, The Invention of Magic: Celebrating magic and with illusions crafted by an unknown master, this show explores the invention of the impossible. Peek into the secret world of magic and witness the world’s greatest card trick.
- Magic Bros, Tinsel and Tricks: Step into a world of wonder with a captivating magic show presented by young, up-and-coming magicians, Logan Ford and Jamie Leonard who first appeared as part of the 2022 MagicFest Future Magicians initiative.
- Virtual Magic School: Learn to read minds, make objects appear and disappear, and other mysterious skills with a special eight-part virtual magic course from Kevin Quantum.
Full line up and tickets here www.magicfest.co.uk.
