Showing @ Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh until Sun 30 Jun

This new show from magical duo Morgan & West is a Jules Vernian romp as the pair cross continents and meet colourful characters in pursuit of a missing magical book. Their show is so new in fact that the ink had barely had time to dry on the script before they took to the stage and unfortunately the lack of preparation shows.

There’s nothing wrong with their box of tricks – although perhaps there’s not enough of them on display to keep an audience mainly made up of under-10s completely rapt for a whole hour. Their disappearances, escapology and misdirections are excellent and the choice to wrap up their prestidigitations in late Victorian whimsy is a clever and entertaining conceit, however the performance side of the show still needs some polish.

The paper thin story may just be an excuse to show off their skills, but without the presentation being up to scratch the journey between tricks can drag. Too many stumbles and hesitations over lines as well as several moments when West in particular seems like a rabbit in the headlights give the show a distinctly under-rehearsed feel. Whilst sound effects are applied with wit throughout the show, the lighting is surprisingly flat and there are several points where the investment in a follow-spot might lend some atmosphere.

On a positive note, the script is witty and moves at pace, the audience participation is clever and there’s a warmth towards the genre they gently mock that comes across well. In addition of course the duo are very impressive conjurers. It’s never easy to review something at such an early stage and since the Morgan & West are returning to Edinburgh in August it would be best to suggest that with a little work, a few changes and some perhaps a few more tricks they could make an impressive reappearance.

Showing as part of the Edinburgh International Magic Festival 2013