10 FRINGE 2024
By OLIVIA THOMAS
EDINBURGH’S OWN MASTER
MAGICIAN is always ready to surprise – so
at this year’s Fringe he is conjuring up two
very different shows, each packed with
mystery and fun.
Before turning to magic, Kevin Quantum
was a physicist and often loves to sprinkle
science into the mix.
In fact, never more so than this year when
he presents Anti-Gravity which plunges
audiences into a space where the laws that
govern the universe are bent, then broken.
Kevin will be introducing audiences to his
latest invention, the anti-gravity generator.
Throughout the show its power builds and
allows him to perform ever-more amazing
feats of levitation.
It’s a fantastic family-friendly delight
from a man who earned fame on Britain’s
Got Talent and regularly entertains around
the globe.
For a change of style and pace, audiences
can then enjoy a second show, the suavely
sophisticated Edinburgh Magic.
This is a chance to dress up in your most
elegant attire and join a small, select
audience to sip prosecco in the historic
surroundings of the Versailles Suite (with its
beautiful hand-painted neo-Classical murals)
of The Caledonian Hotel.
With just 30 seats, no stage or large props,
the audience is close up to the dinner suited
magician, as he performs a series of baffling
tricks, and chats to the audience with his
customary charm and warm humour.
The magic he performs has strong links to
Scotland’s capital and has been selected
because it has defied explanation, even by the
greatest experts.
These include Harry Houdini, who
appeared in Edinburgh around 50 times, and
claimed he could explain any trick after
seeing it a couple of times. But he had to
admit defeat after witnessing a mind-blowing
trick by young card magician Dai Vernon
several times.
There’s even a royal touch as he also
performs the intricate trick used back in
1975 by King (then Prince) Charles to gain
admission to the world famous, yet infinitelyLift off for two Fringe shows from
Edinburgh’s very own magician
Kevin Quantum
will defy gravity
secretive, magic society – The Magic Circle.
With only a few hundred members
worldwide (Kevin is one himself ) every
applicant must perform in front of an
audience of magicians before being granted
(or declined) membership.Anti-GravityGilded Balloon Patter Hoose – Doonstairs
(Venue 24)
.
Edinburgh Magic
The Versailles Suite, The Caledonian,
Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2AB
(Venue 206).
Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe/comBy STAFF REPORTER
ONE MINUTE she was “stupid” for
not speaking English – then she was
chastised as a “chatterbox” for
speaking it too much.
When Lubna was three and a half
her family arrived in Glasgow on a
freezing December day, after her dad
had been offered the chance to study
for his PhD at Strathclyde University.
They looked ahead with optimism.
Her father loved the idea of coming to
Britain because there would be none
of the corruption and bribery that was
rife in Pakistan.
Lubna was sent off to primary
school, enthusiastic and wanting to
learn.It was there she discovered
bullying and it came first from a
teacher, the very person supposed to
nurture her.
Criticised for not already being able
to speak the language she was sent to
the back of the class with other
“stupid” children. And there she began
to be picked on for her colour.
A quick learner, Lubna soon learned
English. Congratulations! No. Now she
was condemned as a chatterbox.
Hence the title of her new play,
Chatterbox, which is all about
bullying, the labels we are given as
children and how they affect our
whole lives.
While it’s based on her experience
it’s addressing a widespread problem- many people will recognise their
own early lives in what she has to say.
Lubna now lives in Edinburgh and,
after a long career as an NHS
pharmacist, she has found success as
a writer, actor and comedian.
This lates touching, humorous,
semi-autobiographical one-woman
asks serious questions:- What labels were you given?
- How did they affect you?
- Do they still make you anxious?
- Where did you find safety when
neds chased you down the street?
Lubna said: “Chatterbox looks back
with affection to a childhood as part
of a loving family determined to
contribute to Scotland and their
community. At the same time it
raises questions that will resonate
with many people, of every
background, about unfair treatment
and labelling and how it can affect
our whole lives.”
Chatterbox is the second
instalment of a planned trilogy. The
first part, Tickbox, had a successful run
at the Fringe and has toured widely.Special performance on 15 August
(with BSL interpreter). A touch tour
will be available to those who are
partially sighted on 14 August an
hour before the show starts.
VENUE 33Back to school with Chatterbox
Lubna Kerr is back in the classroomLift off with Kevin