Showing @ Pleasance, Edinburgh until Fri 8 July @ 7:00pm

Romany describes herself as the Diva of Magic but a performer with less diva-like tendencies it’s difficult to imagine. Wry, sweet and scatty mixed in with a touch of showgirl glamour all work together as the perfect act of misdirection from her sharp magical talents.

As part of the opening night gala at the Lyceum she was impressive, but at the distance from stage to stalls it was difficult to realise just how ingenious her tricks were. In the far more intimate setting of the Pleasance Cabaret Bar, Romany really dazzles and that’s not just because of the thousands of sequins that adorn her costume.

Disappearance, reappearance and transformation are at the heart of Romany’s act and the choice of tricks she performs clearly demonstrate her love for the history of magic, but if that makes them sound stayed or familiar her presentation and sheer charm as a performer help to breath new life into them.

She performed an excellent card trick – although she says she’s no fan of them – and a coin trick achieved whilst in the grip of two burly men. There was even a little light bondage in the form of some escapology, but the heart of her act and quite obviously where her heart lies was small scale classic illusion.

Birdcages, jewellery and silk handkerchiefs were produced from nowhere – certainly the small stage provided no obvious hiding places; but the trick that got the biggest response was a fantastical and spooky use of paper dolls which might in earlier days have sent her straight to the ducking stool.

This was an afternoon show and it wasn’t a full house so the atmosphere wasn’t quite turned up to eleven but there’s little doubt that with a room full of astounded punters, Romany has the class and magical talents to more than deserve her diva status.