There is something hugely satisfying about witnessing a successful double-act, regardless of genre. Morgan and West now have over ten years of experience working together to concoct magic shows, and their effortless repartee is in full display during this new performance piece, part of the Edinburgh International Magic Festival

Held in Summerhall‘s Dissection Room, an almost full-house is treated to an act brimming with irresistible humour and self-parody, smartly scripted to give the audience an authentic taste of 19th century vaudeville. This is supported by effective props and costumes, providing an unashamed celebration of timeless tricks and age-old sleight of hand, with the duo even managing a truly novel escapist routine involving handcuffs made from balloons, that would leave even the late, great Houdini struggling to suppress a smile.

Lying firmly in the family friendly bracket, Morgan and West weave audience participation into the show masterfully, with volunteers of all ages braving the stage to unwittingly become stars of the show. The magic of the performance is not necessarily the tricks on display, but more the quality of delivery by a double act who clearly compliment each other to create a product that is greater than the sum of its parts.

In an age of ever-daring and increasingly flashy magic tricks, will this show push your senses to another level and leave your jaw hanging on the floor? No. Will this charm your socks off without you even noticing your shoelaces have been loosened? Definitely. Embrace the unpretentiousness of the performance and enjoy being transported back a couple of centuries by capable hosts with good old-fashioned routines up their sleeves.