☆☆☆☆☆

Ava Beaux’s audiences get treated to two magicians for the price of one, with her split stage personas making their return to the Fringe stage.  And both are clearly very popular, the venue is completely packed full at the reviewed show on an Oasis weekend day.  Ava Beaux’s followers cannot be deterred. In Ava & Beaux: Tales of Magic her two sides might not always get along, but do manage to get their story told, trading off responsibilities for that task throughout the performance.

The audience meets Ava first, a perfectionist of a performer who is the verbal storyteller, and even gets a few magic tricks in to illustrate. The story gets a bit complicated, but Ava helpfully recaps at various junctures. This story provides the framework for both Ava and Beaux’s magic routines. A highlight from Ava’s performance is a restoration effect using a paper moon. The magic itself is performed well, and the act of tearing the paper releases a shimmer in the air, like a cloud of magic that forms around her. It’s especially appropriate for a sky-themed effect in Edinburgh, where even in the summer clouds often feature, although they are rarely as beautiful as on Ava’s stage.

The less inhibited Beaux also makes regular appearances. These parts of the show tend to feature a more physical performance, perhaps best typified by the section in which Beaux personifies the adorable main character of Ava’s magic story. Beaux leaves all manner of magical props that appear from her body all over the audience, getting everyone involved in the act. This both illustrates the story and injects a lovely playfulness in to the show.

Ava Beaux had managed to create and embody two distinct characters and give them a conflict and rapport that all feel real. As odd as it sounds, it almost feels like a shame that they can’t appear onstage at the same time. They seem like they’d make an excellent double act, they perfectly complement each other’s performance style.

Both Ava and Beaux invite audience participants to join in their magic. While both have different styles, they are both respectful in their own way. Notably, for one slightly messy effect Beaux makes sure to protect her participant’s property from contamination. At the reviewed show the participants were all eager to join either side of the performer onstage. One participant even accidentally played magician herself, magically producing an extra prop at the end of the trick that had been left behind on her person. Beaux was quick to give this new sidekick her due.

If the Fringe is known for both weirdness and magic, Ava Beaux is the perfect performer to see to get both in the schedule at once. Her beautiful show features an equally beautiful ending that is not to be missed. For a truly unique experience, Ava & Beaux’s Tales of Magic is the one to see.