☆☆☆

The title of Steve Wilbury’s show The Unluckiest Magician is a thesis statement that he amply proves over the course of the show. Part magic show, part medical horror story, this show had a broad appeal. That being said, it is not for the faint of heart. Those who would rather not consider the huge variety of ways that the squishy bits underneath their skin can sneakily try to kill them would probably be better off giving this one a miss. It’s a fascinating, magical 45 minutes of a show, with real life plot twists that are even more surprising than a magic trick.

Wilbury sets the medical scene early on with one of his magical effects, swallowing needles, which he explains is the first trick he learned that caught the attention of the many nurses who cared for him throughout his medical issues. Straight off the bat the audience is confronted with fear for the internal organs. The trick is well performed, and the intimate theatre means that the glittery needles are easily visible to all in the audience. On the flip side, one of the prettiest effects is Wilbury’s demonstration of how it feels to be on heavy duty painkillers—without handing out said painkillers to the audience. It’s a really beautiful stunt with special juggling balls that has to be seen to be believed.

The Unluckiest Magician does contain a fair amount of magic in addition to the medical stories, although unfortunately on occasion this is not the strongest element of the performance. With the note trick in particular Wilbury would do well to mind the ends of his fingers. With a magic show predicated on the unluckiness of its star the odd slip up is almost in character, and after hearing Wilbury’s story the odd sleight misstep seems like the absolute least of the problems that he has had in his life.

In addition to sharing his story, Wilbury offers helpful advice on dealing with both physical and emotional difficulty in life. On the face of it it’s straightforward enough to hear, but means a little more coming from someone with such significant lived experience. Many Fringe performers seem eager to be rid of the audience by the end of their show, but Wilbury is the exact opposite, inviting his audience to have a further chat after his final trick if they are dealing with similar issues.

The Unluckiest Magician is narrowly focused, which inherently sets limits on its target audience, but it’s surprisingly enjoyable even for those who aren’t natural fans of medical horror stories. Wilbury is a funny guy and charming performer, and his attitude towards both his past and his future is inspiring. One of the benefits of the Fringe is finding performers who tell such niche stories, and Wilbury is a lucky find for all who make it in to his audience.

More information on The Unluckiest Magician and its performance dates can be found here.