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Conjuring Up Comedy
A one man magic show with VAT (Very Amusing Tricks)
1st November 2006. Lauderdale House, Highgate, London
Reviewed by Ian Rowland
When you think of accountants, you think of great showmanship, rapid-fire wit
and a rare talent for mystery. Or at least you would if you based your opinion
on Ian Keable, a former professional accountant who gave it all up to become a
full-time entertainer. As he explains in his new show, he still isn't sure what
kind of an entertainer he is: a skilled comedian who does magic, or a magician
with a rare gift for comedy? Either way, it's a winning formula. Over the past
15 years, Keable has established himself as one of the country's top club and
cabaret entertainers with a neat sideline in after-dinner speaking. Now, for the
first time, he has devised a full-length solo evening show which he will be
touring around the country. The show is loosely based on stories from Keable's
life and his transition from number-cruncher to comedy magician. "Maybe it
wasn't that much of a change," he points out, taking to the stage holding a
briefcase and a morning paper.
The first half of the show sees all the 'trade mark' Keable touches well to the
fore. The comedy ranges from corny gags (offered up purely for their groan
value) to razor-sharp interactive wit proving that you can have fun with
spectators without either victimising or embarrassing them - a point that some
other entertainers could do well to note. The magic is wide-ranging, from
traditional classics (Chinese Sticks, Die Box) to good, entertaining card
routines and some impressive mind-reading.
In the second half of the show, Keable treats the audience to a magical 'tour de
force', seamlessly blending several classic routines into an extended magical
journey leading to an impressive set of baffling climaxes. At the heart of this
intricate yet well-structured hour is Keable's 'bill in lemon' routine. Honed to
perfection by countless performances in top comedy clubs over many years, this
is Keable's signature routine and still the very best of its kind. Other magical
happenings in the second half include a striking prediction effect and an
extended comedy sequence with a borrowed watch. That Keable can blend these
distinct magical elements into a coherent sequence, one that is both easy to
follow yet laugh-out-loud funny, is a great tribute to his experience, his
shrewd approach to scripting and timing, and his sure-footed handling of the
audience.
Keable is an assured and instantly likeable performer whose in-depth experience
is evident throughout this richly entertaining show. The pace never flags, the
two hours seem to fly by and it clear that Keable could make the show even
longer if he wanted to. A triumph in every respect.
© Ian Rowland, November 2006