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In the crowded marketplace of Fringe magic the challenge of putting on a show is often acquiring an audience. Last year’s sellout sensation 1 Hour of Insane Magic does not have that problem, but there are extra challenges that come with success, in their case in performing a magic show to an audience on three sides. Fortunately the Insane Magicians—stunt magician Luke Osey, sleight of hand artist Elliot Bibby, and mentalist Cameron Gibson—were clever enough to put together a flash-free set, it’s an insanely magical show from every angle.

The highlight of watching a performance that contains a whole three magicians is, of course, watching them perform together. Right at the start the Insane Magicians pull an audience participant on stage for them to tag team with a bombardment of their varied magical skills. They take turns playing off each other and joining forces for their reveals. At times, even when just one is taking the lead of the segment, the other two are on hand in the traditional “glamorous assistant” role to ensure that the audience participants and main performer have everything they need to hand.

Gibson is the only one of the Insane Magicians to verbally admit to being a nerd, but it’s obvious to the audience that they are all nerds, and not just because they have chosen magic as a career. The Insane Magicians publicized this year’s show in part by showing off their big new illusion, a table for sawing someone in half. Not only have they gone to the trouble of resurrecting a classic of magic, but they also make it as historically accurate as possible with the help of their secret fourth Insane Magician, Erin McIntyre. In the modern era it can seem difficult to perform this type of magic in a way that doesn’t come across as misogynistic, but the Insane Magicians make it look easy.  They make it clear that in their version of the effect McIntyre is the primary performer and the others are simply her three glamorous assistants, helping her show off the skill that she mastered.

Bibby, Gibson, and Osey have had and continue to have separate careers outside of performing together, and throughout the show they pay tribute to the adventures that have brought them together and at times apart throughout their friendship. They illustrate the beauty of this Insane Magic era of their friendship with a lovely effect involving several audience participants joining in from their seats, giving enough input to make the trick extra astonishing while keeping the attention on the three insanely magical friends sharing the stage.

As with its previous Fringe outing, 1 Hour of Insane Magic has proved insanely popular. Anyone wanting to experience the show who does not have a ticket yet had better buy one quickly, as they regularly sell out over a week in advance. 1 Hour of Insane Magic is the most insane family friendly fun available this Fringe.