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Fringe regular Caspar Thomas is back, this year in a beautiful venue overlooking one of Edinburgh’s most famous streets. It’s the perfect setting for his The Art of Close-Up Magic (Volume 2). Thomas is known for providing a solid routine of physical magic, and, true to form, does exactly that. The effects may be familiar to magic fans, but Thomas’s engaging demeanor and solid performance make it a fun way to spend an hour.

Thomas primarily works with cards, but also includes a fun, visual coin effect to start his show. The effects may be known enough that some of the sleights feel a little more obvious than would be ideal, but the audience is already enchanted with Thomas’s stage presence. His series of card effects are well performed and received, getting several audience members involved in the show. A highlight includes Thomas demonstrating a card trick with the help of a “pet”, whose brief appearance is appreciated by the audience. Thomas also includes an effect involving a book, which he reports to have received strong feedback on in previous years. While it doesn’t go perfectly to plan at the reviewed show, it’s a strong enough effect that even a reveal that isn’t quite perfect is still impressive.

Like many magicians, Thomas uses audience participants for most of his effects. Participants are treated with kindness and only asked to complete simple tasks to aid in the magic. Most are able to participate from their seats, and when an audience member is called upon to join Thomas onstage, he’s appreciative and happy to share the spotlight.

In keeping with the aura of his venue, Thomas’s magic and presentation style feel like a well preserved piece of history. At a festival which tends to attract performers actively evolving the next era of magic, it’s helpful and welcome to have a well performed example of why this art form became popular in the first place. Audience members might easily imagine Thomas entertaining audiences hundreds of years ago in the same way that he entertains them today.