@ Summerhall, Edinburgh, until Fri 3 Jul 2015

Subtitled “A Compendium of Curious Characters and Exquisite Marvels Too Strange to be Believed“, it is appropriate that Dr Houstoun’s event takes place in a lecture theatre since it is part presentation and part magic show. This is in no way off-putting though – uber-geek Houstoun’s skills in delivering an intriguing insight into 500 years of magic history is an absolute must for rookie magicians of all ages.

Close-up Magician of the Year 2015, Houston’s impressive resume includes, as well as his PhD, two books and consultancy work on major movies. As a performer, he is neither mysterious nor sharply dressed, but his low key, dry-humoured approach to vintage tricks and use of historical markers (mentioning Beethoven and gas lighting to put things in context) makes him an endearing and engaging lecturer. He is no egotistical show-man but gives the impression of sharing his wonderment with the crowd. At one point, during some sleight of hand with coins, an audience member at the very front leaning as far forward as he dare, exclaims ‘Jesus!’ (*other prophets and expletives are available) in disbelief at what is happening in front of his very eyes.

The tricks are brilliant in their apparent simplicity and if there is any complaint, it is that we don’t get to see more and he doesn’t make mention of the Great Lafayette, close friend of Houdini who was killed in the fire at Edinburgh’s Empire Palace Theatre. But Houstoun does offer an enticing glimpse through a secret trap door into the often unbelievable history of magic, delving into the lives of the complicated characters who made conjuring their trade over the course of five centuries. It is no wonder people today, of all ages, are still flummoxed, fascinated and fearful of things that go against the grain of expectation and common sense.