☆☆☆

Fringe regular and favorite Kevin Quantum has clearly built a strong reputation, if the sold out Invisible Force on a Monday evening is anything to go by. He may be family friendly with the kind of arguably educational billing of being both a scientist and a magician that attracts young families, but it’s worth noting that the reviewed show had a decent mix of ages, with plenty of groups of adults of varied ages enjoying the show. Invisible Force is conceptually very interesting, and Quantum is an able and engaging performer.

As with many magic shows, Quantum invites many audience members to the stage. He is by and large a welcoming presence, rewarding most of his participants with biscuits. This is in keeping with the science theme; in the best, kindest way he is here reminiscent of a scientist training their beloved mice through a maze. Quantum’s long term fans may know that he loves a boogie, but it may be worthwhile for him to have a bit more respect for his participants who don’t. At the reviewed show watching him pressure his first participant of the evening into dancing was uncomfortable viewing. The moment could have at least been tied in thematically with a discussion of the invisible forces at play in a dynamic of unequal power, but the opportunity was missed.

There are a few other missed thematic moments in the show, which feels like a shame for such an interesting concept. The thematic elements of some routines feel fairly straightforward, so it feels reasonable that they are performed without explicit elaboration, like a participant’s emotional connection to a lost object leading it back to her, or a participant’s demonstrable connection with Quantum allowing them to subconsciously coordinate certain factors. On the other hand, Quantum’s magical illustration of quantum physics could do with a touch more tie-in, to allow those in the audience coming in with less physics knowledge to fully appreciate the parallel. Quantum is known for bringing an entirely new concept-driven show to every Fringe, which is certainly admirable in its own right, but the reviewed Invisible Forces may leave some audience members hoping that someday he returns to the concept introduced here with further insight and elaboration. 

As a magician-science hybrid, Quantum makes great use of the props of both his passions in the effects that he performs, often leading to visually spectacular results. A highlight is his use of a glittering chain that behaves in a beautiful, fascinatingly unexpected way. Quantum’s own driving force is, as he describes it, enabling his audience to experience wonder, and he is adept at using both science and magic to achieve this.

Quantum is a regular and strong performer, and his many fans certainly won’t leave Invisible Forces disappointed. Some may find it the most interesting work he’s brought to the Fringe in recent years. However, it does feel like the concept work of the show could be slightly augmented to give it a more cohesive feel, plus the reviewed show had a participant issue that, to be fair to Quantum, may have been a one-off. Quantum is always one to watch, and if anything, the ambition evident in the structuring of Invisible Forces is a fascinating glimpse into what makes Quantum himself tick— a sub-theme of the show. It will almost definitely leave audiences curious and excited to see what he comes up with next year.