“The city comes alive in August, like a child who’s had too much sugar.”

WHO: Kevin Quantum

WHAT: “Epic scale stunts and mind-blowing magic in a spectacle that swings from edge-of-your-seat astonishment to belly laughs. Illusionist and inventor Kevin was trained by Penn & Teller, has had sell-outs at Edinburgh Fringe and reached the final stages of Britain’s Got Talent with his death defying, stunning magic. ‘A mixture of magic, science and derring-do, you’re like a sexy Doctor Who!’ (David Walliams). ‘Astonishing’ ***** (Edinburgh Evening News). ‘Master illusionist’ ***** (Advertiser, Adelaide). ‘Epic Stunts’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). Edinburgh Fringe sell-out 2021, 2022. Winner: Best Magic, Adelaide Weeklies 2018, 2019. 2022 Scottish Comedy Awards nominee 2018, 2019.”

WHERE: Assembly Rooms – Music Hall (Venue 20) 

WHEN: 16:45 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I live here, it’s my home. I’ve done Fringe since 2006.

I’ve worked up from a 30 seat church hall in an unpopular part of town, with an average audience of 7 people, to one of the biggest, most comfortable, and most air-conditioned rooms at the Fringe. The city comes alive in August, like a child who’s had too much sugar. I mean the place is lovely year round but in August it’s feckin mental. Human traffic everywhere. Parties, plays, people, polka dancing.

As a resident who wasn’t interested in the arts back in the early noughties, it was a pain in the arse, but now I love it and just couldn’t do my career without it.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

The main lesson, especially looking at my past shows, was how much of an impact on growth consistently high quality shows give you.

Before you come to Edinburgh, do your show somewhere else. I used to premiere my shows at the Fringe but I will not ever do that again. These days I’ve done at least 30-40 performances before I land in Edinburgh.

This is the biggest arts marketplace in the world, so show your best work.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote the show, perform in the show, directed the show, built the lights for the show, wrote the theme tune, sung the theme tune…

OK, I didn’t do it all… Part magic consultant – part dramaturg Dusty contributes in many ways to the show.

Jack Harris kindly helps me with the lighting.

Set design is really my props, apart from one big huge LED triangle that I designed. So I’m taking credit for that.

And my muse/co-collaborator/co-writer Svetlana McMahon pulls the whole thing together, telling me what’s shit, and what’s not – and – most importantly – offering solutions to every problem.
The team’s been together almost 5 years now so we’re just about getting it right most times…

My thing is Magic, Science and Adventure.

The show is about MOMENTUM, in life and science. The geeky side of me loves the HUGE magic props that I’ve created.

The Harmonic Pendulum that dwarfs the stage is the main item. Kinda like a EPIC sized Newton’s Cradle (one of those science desk toys with the balls that bounce off each other) I’ve made something genuinely massive for a magic trick / stunt / experiment like you’ll have never seen before.

Ever wondered what a first date with a magician/engineer would look like? Me neither but I throw it down your throat with charm and amazement… when you see me engineer the shit out of a first date.

Some audience members will experience the effects of the Bermuda Triangle live on stage.

My illusions are always unique, mind blowing and delivered with punch and heart. There’s literally blood, sweat and tears on each one and it means the world to me to bring joy and amazement to my audiences.

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

With soooo much on I thought I’d take a moment to give you a few of my absolute favs. It’s not exhaustive, but I thought I’d start with these.

Mc Hammersmith – Such a job working with this improv legend around the country, amazing talent, amazing work ethic. Go see.

Billy Kirkwood – Top Scottish Talent! Always buzzing whenever I get to watch this pro at work, such lovely playful energy. A real joy.

Zach Zucher- Zach is a clown, an absolute clown. Absurly talented, soulful, uplifting, dark and a bit dirty. A real jem of the Fringe.

Viggo Venn- BGT Winner! Probably needs no help shifting tickets, I worked with him in 2016 and watching him win BGT was like watching our cohort win. He’s lovely, silly, beautiful and Norwegian. Go see.

Josh Glance- Josh has some of the most intricate layeree, surreal and hilarious set pieces on the comedy circuit. A wonderful man – watching him is like watching a new kind of comedy. New and bloody brilliant.

Stamptown- Stamptown is where all the best clowns/standups/magicians and everything in between hang out in August. It’s the most outrageous mixed bill show in the entire festival. It always sells out so fight for a ticket.

Mark Nelson- Comedian’s comedian Mark Nelson’s delicately crafted, hammer blow lines and the best in the Fringe. No wonder he’s now playing the Kings in Glasgow and earned himself the title: Comedian’s Comedian.

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