☆☆☆

At the Fringe choosing a show can feel like having to choose between optimism that seems unrealistic in the context of current events, or a wallowing pessimism that makes the real world seem even darker than it needs to. The Grumpy Magicians are a great option off antidote to that dichotomy, with a performative low-level approachable grumpiness, not for any grand reason but simply for the sake of grumpiness itself. What’s the Catch? brings their trademark grump back for another year of magical entertainment.

Fringe regulars, The Grumpy Magicians have evidently earned a following, and pulled in a sizable audience at the reviewed weekday afternoon show. They manage to get a decent proportion of the audience involved in the show. Between their curmudgeonly yet personable stage presence and the sheer volume of participation, taking part is a very laid-back experience. As this is a family friendly show and they did have a few enthusiastic children in at the reviewed show, it might have been nice if they had some child-friendly participation moments, but they were kindly in letting the kids know that they were too small to get onstage. However, they did a great job of picking the kids’ responsible adults, and several of the younger audience members got to see magical mementos up close after their adult participated in a trick.

The magic performed may lean heavily toward the classics, but there are some fun themed moments and a few that take great advantage of having two magicians onstage. Magic fans may particularly appreciate the sassy commentary of newer magic that is popular amongst the younger magicians at the Fringe. While there may be the odd moment where the sleight of hand feels slightly less slick than Fringe audiences might expect, the issues are minimal relative to the enjoyment of watching the performance. They perform several card tricks, and often use larger cards for easy visibility from all corners of the room.

The Grumpy Magicians Present: What’s the Catch? feels like a real labor of love from two performers who, despite the grumpiness, seem to enjoy their jobs more than any other performers at the Fringe. They are a refreshingly unusual act by Fringe magic standards. Their magic may not be the most mind-blowing available this month, but they are always a pleasure to watch.