“I came here as a physics student back in two thousand and cough… wide-eyed and under-slept, and ended up staying — mostly because of the Fringe.”
WHO: Kevin Quantum
WHAT: “This classic building in the heart of the New Town is now the centre of a fantastic festival hub, hosting some of the finest theatre, comedy and music from around the world. The Assembly Rooms hosts three spaces indoors: the Music Hall, Ballroom and Drawing Room, with a Spiegeltent (The Bijou) and a studio space (Front Room) outside on George Street.”
WHERE: Ballroom at Assembly Rooms (Venue 20)
WHEN: 19:40 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
Not even close. I came here as a physics student back in two thousand and cough… wide-eyed and under-slept, and ended up staying — mostly because of the Fringe. I’ve been part of this madness as a performer, a producer, and occasionally as a punter pretending I’m not taking notes. What makes Edinburgh so special is that every corner of the city turns into a stage — every cafe, vault, and broom cupboard could be hosting the next great disaster or masterpiece. It’s chaotic, it’s exhausting, and it’s utterly addictive.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
I’ve learned that more people than expected genuinely believe the Earth is flat. That being on a reality TV show (Faking It, 2005) statistically makes me 26.2% more likely to become President of the United States. And that the human body can conduct a million volts of electricity without harm. Just about. I think. We’ll see how August goes.
Tell us about your show.
The show’s called Unbelievable Magic for Non-Believers and, fittingly, I didn’t write it — not in the traditional sense. It’s been built through live experimentation, late-night rewrites, and gasps from the crowd that told me I was onto something. I perform it, co-created it with my director Rhys Morgan (who’s also worked with Derren Brown amongst others), and I’m producing it through my company Quantum Productions (which sounds far more Bond-villainy than it is). This version premieres at the Fringe — although the ideas have been haunting me for years — and we’re planning to tour it to science festivals, dark comedy venues, and anywhere else that enjoys a reality-bending identity crisis with a sense of humour.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
After Unbelievable Magic, go see Robyn Perkins — razor-sharp, science-savvy comedy with heart. Then catch Rosco McClelland, who performs like a hurricane in a hoodie. And don’t miss Matt Parker — the only person who can make maths feel like stand-up and witchcraft at the same time. (Rhys, who helped shape my show, also worked on his — and it shows.) Fringe is full of brilliant minds. Follow the ones that mess with yours in the best possible way.
LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!
INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!
Get Your Coats On 