Ben Hart: The Vanishing Boy

By Amy Stow

Ben Hart - what a heartbreaker. This seemed to be one of the most frequently overheard comments when leaving the auditorium after an hour of Hart working his magic. 'So charming' - 'gorgeous smile' - or just, 'wow!' Not to give him an ego, if he ever reads this review, of course. For that is one of the most delightful things about Hart. He is clearly talented; his magic acts, card tricks, mind-reading skills, rope-tying antics, and newspaper tear-it-up-oh-look-it's-back-together trickery, are just astonishing. But it is the easy charm, boyish looks, suave and modest manner he has that truly wins hearts.

Hart's show is punctuated with a narrative, which is beautifully woven into the performance, depicting Hart's own experience of a vanishing boy. Was it magic? A spirit? Or simply an illusion? What matters most, it emerges, is the message behind the story, which of course sets up his own magic tricks perfectly. I simply could not believe what I was seeing as a ball of tissue became an egg after being whirled around a wine glass. He made liquid literally disappear and reappear; he jabbed at a pack of cards scattered up into the air, with a rapier, and managed to stab the card an audience member had selected.

So many more tricks - although I am loathe to call them tricks - ensued, but I don't want to give away too much of the show for anyone still lucky enough to get hold of a ticket. Ben Hart, and his fabulous performance, had me spellbound, and whilst I'd love to know how he manages to do it, I think I'd prefer it if he didn't spoil the magic for when he returns next year.

★★★★★

Ben Hart: The Vanishing Boy (@ItsBenHart)

Underbelly, Cowgate

16:40 (1 hour)

Until August 24th

@PostScriptJour

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