Scotland

Magic Bones: Soulful Magic Volume Two – Underbelly Bristo Square

This venue, squeezed in the gap between Teviot Hall and McEwan Hall at Bristo Square is slightly awkward to find, but well worth seeking out for this hit show by all-rounder Richard Essien, AKA Magic Bones.

With a triple threat of magic, humour and break-dance, Essien brings this brand new show to Edinburgh fringe, and by the end has the audience eating out of his hand. Britain’s Got Talent finalist in 2020, described there as ‘the, best-presented magic act I’ve ever seen’, Essien gives a unique mixture of high octane, high energy, but in turns gentle and transfixing performance, which has you leaning in right from the start.

One of the hottest acts on the British magic scene, we are treated to plenty of top quality extraordinary tricks, illusions and misdirection, flips and dances also mixed in with a good bit of storytelling and audience participation. It is in this this personable side to Bones, no doubt honed performing on the streets, that this show really wins.  Having said that, I’m not sure where the ‘soulful’ description comes from, but who cares.

His final trick involving close-up deck manipulation to a music track is beautifully delivered with the smooth skill of an expert at the top of his game, and a fitting end to a very quick hour.

Reviewer: Greg Holstead

Reviewed: 16th August 2023

North West End UK Rating:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Greg Holstead

Recent Posts

The Ladies Football Club – Crucible Theatre

The popularity of women’s football has grown exponentially recently, bolstered by England’s back-to-back European titles.…

2 days ago

Sugar Daddy – Underbelly Boulevard Soho

Some comedy shows aim simply to entertain. ‘Sugar Daddy’, written and solo-performed by comedian Sam…

2 days ago

The Constant Wife – Liverpool Playhouse

Take a step back into the 1920s with the Constant Wife which is based on…

2 days ago

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Hull New Theatre

I have a bone to pick with the cast of Hessle Theatre Company. Please have…

2 days ago

The Bacchae – The Studio

The latest touring production of The Bacchae by Euripides, presented by Company of Wolves at The Studio…

2 days ago

Salt – Riverside Studios

A bitter song for a bloody story, Contemporary Ritual Theatre brings a strange and slippery…

2 days ago