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An Audience with Paul Daniels
At The Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2003
August 2003
Reviewed
by Tony Walker
St.
Cuts in Edinburgh is a new venue for the Edinburgh Fringe. An old church, within
an old graveyard, on Lothian Road, just a stone throw or a wave of a magic wand
from Princes Street.
An audience with Paul Daniels is showing as well as a further show later in the
evening on the "Magic of Max Malini." If the truth be known he (Mr Daniels) got
me interested in magic in the first place. I have a couple of old tapes in the
house and my five children think he is superb.
I actually have to admire Paul. On the Sunday afternoon he took part in the
Festival Cavalcade waving and cheering from a large hat on the back of a lorry
with Debbie and then strolling through the crowd and getting right into the
spirit of things.
To the performance itself the show started with Mr Daniels wearing casual gear.
Black coat and black trousers and trainers. For the next 45 minutes he laughed
and joked with the audience and to his surprise was asked to sing, by a member
of the audience, and he duly obliged. I couldn't believe how vibrant he was and
he appeared to be enjoying himself immensely answering question after question.
The second half of the show was dedicated to his signature routines namely his
Chop Cup routine, Signed Card in Wallet, Electric Chairs and Note in Nut in Egg
in Lemon. Chase the Lady, Boomerang Bands and a levitation from a cardboard box
had been used in the first half during the question and answer session.
I have to say I thought the show was excellent as did my kids. I wanted to go to
see the Malini show but I was on nightshift and had to leave but I will go and
see this before the end of the Fringe.
All in all a first-class show and well worth the money. If you are in Edinburgh
get along and watch the show. The video he sells on his website is selling at
half price at the venue. I got mine there!
Show commences at 8pm with the Malini show straight after.
If Mr Daniels reads this review maybe he can give me an extra discount on his
Magic Course which I have been tempted to buy but cannot afford. Oh well worth a
try. Just have to speak nicely to my wife as it is my fortieth Birthday in
November... fat chance.
Anyway, keep up the good work Paul...
© Tony Walker, August 2003