MagicFest 2020 has completed its run for another year.
Normally theatre based, the festival was faced with the challenge of going virtual with performances online and even by phone for 2020!
So while it is always an amazing opportunity to visit theatres, this year was rather convenient. Seven shows that you could watch and participate via your laptop and one via the phone.
The festival started on Wednesday the 16th for 5 days. Festival opener was Elliot Bibby who did a fantastic job entertaining the audience.
MagicFest 2020 performers also included Ryan K Davidson, Kevin Quantum, Magic Gareth, Billy Reid, Tricky Ricky, Gary James and Vincent Gambini.
A varied range of skilled performers reflecting different styles of magic that is aimed at children and adults.
Tickets were really reasonable for this festival and prices were £10 per show or a pass to attend all shows was available for £50 (+ £1 booking fee).
I bought the pass as it was really good value, offering a £30 saving compared to booking individual shows. It also guaranteed my entry to all performances and I received emails with my joining instructions prior to all shows.
I have published individual reviews for all 8 shows and thoroughly enjoyed all performances. The quality of entertainment was generally very good and great value for money.
Show lengths ranged on average from 30 mins to an hour. By my reckoning, it was about 5 to 6 hours of entertainment for the price.
The most enjoyable shows that I was able to view were Elliot Bibby, Magic Gareth and Kevin Quantum. All performing well planned shows with confidence. Vincent Gambini was also a highlight. A memorable and unusual festival finish.
Technically, everything ran pretty smoothly and was very enjoyable. When an issue did occur, it was dealt with swiftly. Hopefully next year the festival will be in theatres and online.
Below is a list of all the shows that took place. I viewed all shows with the exception of Billy Reid, who I have seen perform recently.
Listings details
• Elliott Bibby "Close-up Magic Experience" Wed 16December. 7pm. Durations 45 minutes. Ages 5+.
• Ryan K. Davidson "Mirror/Mirror" Wed 17 December. 7pm. Durations 45 minutes. Ages 12+.
• Kevin Quantum "The Trick That Fooled" Fri 18December. 7pm. Durations 55 minutes. Ages 7+.
• Magic Gareth "Higilty Pigilty" Sat 19 December. 2pm. Durations 40 minutes. Ages 4+.
• Billy Reid "Watch Closely Live" Sat 19 December. 7pm. Durations 50 minutes. Ages 7+.
• Tricky Ricky "Tinseltown Tricks" Sun 20 December. 1pm. Durations 30 minutes. All Ages.
• Magic School workshop with Gary James Sun 20 December. 3pm. Durations 45 minutes. Ages 6-10.
• Vincent Gambini "The Sky From This Window" Sun 20 December. 7pm. Durations 15 minutes. Ages 12+.
About Edinburgh International Magic Festival
• The festival is a not-for-profit organisation founded and managed by event producer Svetlana McMahon and magician Kevin Quantum.
• The festival promotes magic as an art form and celebrates the limitless possibilities of human imagination.
• Since conception in 2010 MagicFest has welcomed over 60,000 visitors and has grown into Europe’s biggest festival of its kind.
• MagicFest is leading the charge in the newly developing market of magic festivals appearing around the world, and aims to be the world leader in programming and producing innovative and cutting edge magic.
• The programme is balanced to reflect the best and most exciting magic from around the world alongside the very best in home grown work, aiming to amaze, inspire, provoke and entertain.
• The Festival is also producing new work which celebrates Edinburgh’s unique historic environment and cultural heritage in innovative and exciting way.
Thanks to all the performers and organisers of MagicFest 2020 A brilliant experience
I hope that you have found the MagicSeats coverage and reviews helpful.
*** ALL SHOWS VIRTUAL ***
BOOM! We're back! 16-20 DEC 2020!!
We are DELIGHTED to present a programme of events for the whole family delivered entirely virtually this winter from the 16th - 20th DEC 2020.
Enjoy a dose of winter wonder with a line-up of local talent, most of whom live in Scotland and are past MagicFest favourites. With live venues closed - we’re presenting shows the only way we can – digitally – and we’d love for you to join us. Watch an amazing show AND support the arts at the same time!
This year all tickets will cost £10 ‘per screen’ AND we’re offering the opportunity to buy a MagicFest Pass that will let you see all shows in the line-up for just £50. The full programme is available here: www.magicfest.co.uk
*** SUPPORT THE ARTS AND ARTISTS IN SCOTLAND ***
*** 100% OF ALL TICKET SALES GO TO PERFORMERS ***
Magic Gareth Ryan Davidson Kevin Quantum Tricky Ricky Gary James Elliot Bibby Billy Reid Magic Vincent Gambini
Edinburgh International Magic Festival is delighted to present a programme of events delivered entirely virtually this winter from the 16th – 20th December 2020.
Enjoy a dose of winter wonder with a line-up of local talent, most of whom live in Scotland and are past MagicFest favourites. With live venues closed – we’re presenting shows the only way we can – digitally – and we’d love for you to join us. Watch an amazing show AND support the arts at the same time!
Kevin Quantum, magician and festival organiser, said: “In the midst of everything that’s going on in the world right now, our skills as entertainers are more needed than ever to lift spirits and bring joy to people. So, I’m delighted that we’re able to offer an 11th year of magic to the world, and this year you don’t even have to take off your slippers to enjoy it all!”
Gary James’ Magic School returns for the 11th consecutive year alongside other Edinburgh favourites Magic Gareth and Tricky Ricky – who’ll be performing family shows – a perfect diversion for the kids. Fringe favourites Elliot Bibby and Kevin Quantum join Glasgow based magician Ryan K Davidson and past Scottish Magic Champ Billy Reid for virtual close-up magic performances. Vincent Gambini completes the bill with a unique show performed entirely … by telephone.
This year all tickets will cost £10 ‘per screen’ and we’re offering the opportunity to buy a MagicFest Pass that will let you see all shows in the line-up for just £50.
Svetlana McMahon, festival producer, said: “We really want to support Scottish performers as much as we can this year and thanks to a generous donation to the festival combined with support from Creative Scotland, it is possible for us to offer all festival participants fixed fees as well as 100% of takings from ticket sales! So everyone who books a ticket will directly support the arts in Scotland.”
We know artists aren’t the only ones having a tough time, so Kevin Quantum has decided to offer half the tickets for his show THE TRICK THAT FOOLED free of charge to those who aren’t able to afford a ticket at the moment. Those who would like a ticket need only pay the booking fee of £1 to secure a place.
So give Netflix a break and support live entertainment in Scotland with some amazing shows from some great talent. And let your ‘new normal’ be a long weekend of live magic broadcast into your living room.
For full details of all our events see https://www.magicfest.co.uk/whats-on/
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