Barry and Stuart present us with a show rife with comedy, magic, hypnotism and gross-out tricks. They are two faintly shambling magicians who seem constantly amused with the crowd and one another throughout the show. Far from being annoying, this is an endearing quality of theirs as they give the appearance of not knowing what they are doing, even when all tricks are executed without slip ups.
Their wit is dry and self deprecating and there is a very great balance between stand-up and magic. The eclectic content and delivery of their show is interesting, although slightly off-kilter (shocking the audience with an in your face gross-out act in the first act and then performing a far gentler act straight after is, shall we say, an interesting opening gambit).
Card tricks are given a great twist by being replaced by a selection of records ranging from some of weirdest and worst recorded to some 1980’s classics, there is even an act involving the Theremin being played and also a stylus: 2 classic weirdo instruments from the “future” of yesteryear. There is a definite flavour of Coney Island Freak Show in this show, with classic Blockhead being performed (the art of driving things up ones nose) and non-showy delivery of under the surface (literally in one case) very difficult stunts. Magic seems to be one of the recurring themes in shows this Fringe and these two are worth checking out if you haven’t seen them before. A word of warning though: this show is not for the faint-hearted or squeamish.
4/5 
Catriona Ruth Paterson
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