EdFringe Talk: Max Davidson: Strangers

Posted in *EdFestivals 2026, *Written Interviews by

“Your outcome is directly correlated to how much work you put in. Last year, I didn’t prepare well enough, and I struggled a ton.”

WHO: Max Davidson

WHAT: “An interactive mentalism show where the audience plays a central role, and no secret – or phone passcode – is safe. The sold-out sensation comes to Edinburgh on the heels of multiple U.S. tours and NYC runs. Part mind-reading, part storytelling, the show is ultimately a joyful celebration of the beauty we find in strangers when we slow down enough to see them. A Time Out NYC Top Magic Show. As seen at The Magic Castle, Caesars’ Palace and in the NYT.”

WHERE: Just The Tonic at The Subway at Just The Tonic at Subway (Venue 27) 

WHEN: 17:50 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my second Edinburgh Fringe, and I’m excited to have my sea legs under me. Last year, I went effectively as a trial, and this year, I feel like I know a bit more about what I’m doing. I’m constantly reflecting on why I’m doing it. After all, it’s such a hard endeavor. But I’m slowly realizing—that’s the point. The challenge is the fun part. That, and the fact that it’s a massive festival with all your friends for a month. And in addition, you get to perform every day. What more could you ask for??

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Your outcome is directly correlated to how much work you put in. Last year, I didn’t prepare well enough, and I struggled a ton. This year, I’ve prepared well and assembled a phenomenal team around me, and I know that fringe is so much more likely to go well (As in, sell more tickets, have a better show, etc).

I’ve also always been a big proponent, as a magician, of getting in your reps in any way possible. I’ve done my show Strangers a ton of times over the last 12 months throughout the U.S., so I’m confident, going into Edinburgh, that I’ll have a good product because I’ve gotten to test it in the States so many times.

Tell us about your show.

My show, Strangers, is a mentalism and mind-reading show that I’ve written over the last three years. It started as my simple corporate show that I’d perform at private bookings around the U.S. It slowly morphed into a tighter product specifically for public shows, with more of a through line and consistent setlist.

At much as it is a mind-reading/magic show, it is also about the audience. The show changes every night based on the audience’s choices—so even though the structure is the same, the content totally depends on who’s in the room. For example, each night I guess people’s passwords, the cities they’ve traveled to, and specific objects in their homes, among other things. I look forward to learning about people’s choices every night!

After Edinburgh, the goal is to film the show and put it on YouTube.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

There’s so many great shows! If you’re looking for more magic, I highly recommend my friends Colin Cloud (Hoax at Pleasance Grand) and The Duo: A Three Person Magic Show (The Space). If you’re looking for storytelling, I’d send you to Olivia Raine Atwood’s Oops (a truly phenomenal one-woman show that’s as heartfelt and poignant as it is funny at Gilded Balloon) and Lizzy Sunshine. Finally, in musical comedy, check out Couplet’s Folk Marry Kill!

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