From cards tricks and shrinking chairs, to mind reading and impossible predictions, Ben Hart: The Labyrinth has everything you could ask for from a magic show. Staged in the atmospheric Palais du Variété, Hart is not put off by the audience sat in the round or the abundance of mirrors covering the walls — a situation under which many magicians’ tricks may fall apart. Instead, Hart uses the venue to his advantage, commanding the circular stage and making full use of the lighting and sound design available to produce a truly atmospheric show.
Hart seamlessly segues between tricks with masterful storytelling, keeping the audience rapt and giving the show a storyline that prevented it becoming a series of unconnected tricks. However, when building up to the big reveal of some tricks, his performance and storytelling at times became too long-winded, meaning the audience had guessed at the grand reveal already anf thereby lessening its impressive effect. But this was certainly not an issue when it came to the finale of the show, which blew all other tricks out of the water and left the audience cheering in delight and awe. Not only was the finale wildly impressive, but it cleverly tied together the whole show, bringing it all back to the title: The Labyrinth.
Hart adopts a theme throughout all of his tricks: how the small choices made everyday form the twisting paths of our lives. In this way, Hart gives a psychological element to his illusions, using magic to predict choices, and a red thread to symbolise this winding path. This is how Hart manages to cleverly blend in references to the likes of Theseus and the Minotaur, and ancient cave paintings into his show, which give an extra depth to his storytelling and illusions.
If you plan to see any magic show this Fringe, make it this one. Utterly atmospheric and mind-bendingly clever, Ben Hart: The Labyrinth promises an evening of incredible illusions and, most importantly, great fun.
Ben Hart: The Labyrinth is running until 30 August at Palais du Variété at Assembly George Square Gardens. Buy tickets here.
Image provided by Assembly Media Centre as press material.
