Ava Beaux

AVA BEAUX: THE WITCHING HOUR

☆☆☆

What is a Witching Hour? Traditionally in folklore, a ‘witching hour’ is a particular hour of the night when superatural activity is at its height, at its freest, typically midnight or 3am. However, a ‘Witching Hour’ is an Edinburgh Fringe show by magician Ava Beaux, held at the much more socially acceptable hour of 4ish pm. Beaux is the titular witch, and the hour is her time to show us an enjoyable series of magic tricks.

Beaux’s witch character is a delightful oddity. She has really come into her own in the role, confidently trilling about the stage with soft, creepy laughter and bantering easily with the audience. Her chosen props mesh well with the bizzare character, including in particular a zip lining egg. Beaux covers a wide rage of traditional magic effects, from cardistry, rope tricks, linked rings, and more. For the most part these effects are done aptly, although there are a few unfortunate flashes.

Also curious is the plotting of the performance. Beaux is of course free to design whatever type of magic show she feels called to put on, but people who have seen her multiple years in a row may be expecting a more cohesive theme from her, and be a bit confused when faced with more of a variety show. Even without her historical context, the variety show itself lacks consistency, going from fun flashy little tricks, to a solemn silent rings performance, to a part where she literally just reads a Poe story to the audience with no magic performed whatsoever. While this is a callback to one her earliest performances, at that time the whole show was themed after Poe and thus fit in. Here it just seems like a somewhat lazy inclusion. This does all make sense towards the end of the performance, where Beaux mentions that she is focusing on developing a more structured, theatrical show for next year’s Fringe. Unfortunately, it seems that this year’s offering was sacrificed to that purpose.

Nevertheless, Beaux is as charming a performer as ever, and even her less developed work is an entertaining experience for attendees. There’s just something undeniable about this weird witch that makes you want to spend the hour with her.

AVA & BEAUX: TALES OF MAGIC

☆☆☆☆☆

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.

AVA AND BEAUX: TALES OF MAGIC

☆☆☆☆☆

When the audience steps in to the Voodoo Rooms for Ava and Beaux’s Tales of Magic, they may look at the magician on stage and think they’re only there to see one performer. However, Ava and Beaux are two magicians for the price of one—with several other characters in the Tales, essentially an entire theatre ensemble and an adorable pet for the price of one magician, or “magish” as she prefers to be called. Tales of Magic is a beautiful, cohesive story composed of disparate elements that come together, by the end, for a satisfying conclusion.

If the audience might come in expecting a magic show, they will be so enthralled that they may not even notice how relatively little of the stage time is spent on magic tricks until they reflect back afterward. The magic that is performed is all in theme and in character and performed with skill and artistry. One of the highlights simply for the oddity of its presentation is a series of rope tricks framed as an informational lecture on intestinal worms. Watching it, it’s difficult to remember exactly how the narrative reached that point, but it also, somehow, feels very Ava Beaux.

The split between Ava and Beaux is present once again in this year’s show, although with the many characters these two don’t always feel center stage. At the start their roles feel fairly well defined, with Ava introducing the show and reading her audience’s minds, and Beaux taking on the more physical tasks such as a beautifully choreographed hoops routine. Over the course of the show, and in keeping with the theme, they gradually collapse together. Their roles become less well defined as the two halves of the one performer resolve into a perfect ending.

As a theatrical show with some magic, this show is relatively light on audience participation. And despite the occasional spookiness of her performance Ava Beaux is one of the kinder magishes. She doesn’t ask the audience to do anything embarrassing or confusing. At the reviewed show her final participant had to step back to her seat for reading glasses, and Ava Beaux seamlessly switched around the order of her finale so that her participant would not feel rushed.

Ava Beaux consistently has one of the conceptually oddest approaches to performing magic at the Fringe, making her a favorite amongst regular visitors. Her act is distinct and her name tends to stick in people’s minds. As well as a unique magic experience, Tales of Magic presents an opportunity for the pet owners of Edinburgh to remember to appreciate their furry friends. Ava Beaux and the ensemble cast that she brings to life are the perfect diversion in the Fringe lineup.

More information on Tales of Magic and its performance dates can be found here.

AVA BEAUX: A MAGICIAN WITH CONFLICTING PERSONALITIES TRIES TO KEEP CONTROL ONSTAGE (POPCORN INCLUDED)

☆☆☆☆

In a city temporarily teeming with performers, Ava Beaux’s A Magician With Conflicting Personalities Tries To Keep Control Onstage (Popcorn Included) could not find a more apt audience. More than just a magic show, Beaux explores feelings on inadequacy and the relentless nagging of one’s own perfectionism in the field of performance. Her journey here is one not only familiar to magicians but anyone making a living off the ability to generate an audience, and to some degree anyone in general.

The show begins as one would expect from a magician- an oddly dressed performer presenting well-worn patter and quirky jokes around displays of magical effects. Beaux does not do anything particularly original in this department, sticking to time-honoured props like rope, newspaper, and metal rings, presumably to best set up the role of the Magician. We then are introduced to a vocal personification of Beaux’s internal thoughts, which spit negativity at her as she tries to keep up her act. Caught in a spell between the self critique and a desire to just perform what she loves, Beaux transitions through costume change to a mute but childishly delighted entertainer, and performs more effects in this persona.

Perhaps unintentionally, Beaux gives the impression that her mot confident and peaceful performing comes when mute, when not made to audibly interact with the audience. Actually, she may be among the rare magicians who can pull this off, as she has remarkable skills in physicality and graceful stage presence. Patter is a useful ingredient for magicians that contributes to distracting their audience away from trickery we are not meant to see, so experiencing a magician who can captivate a crowd with gestures alone is utterly impressive.

Beaux’s conflicting personalities compete throughout the show until the ultimate and heart warming climax. Her audiences cannot help but to be inspired and honoured by being permitted this glimpse into the mindset of the magician, although she does not, unfortunately, share her popcorn.

AVA BEAUX: WHICH WITCH

☆☆☆☆☆

Ava Beaux makes a name for herself as a rare female magician, or “magish”, as she prefers to be called.  For reference for those who may be unfamiliar with the gender balance of magishes, out of a total of over fifty magic show listings in this year’s Fringe just two feature a female magish.  Percentage-wise this year is sadly probably one of the better ones, post-pandemic overall numbers are down and regardless of the total number of shows usually only two or three feature women as magishes.  If memory serves Ava Beaux herself was the only female magish at last year’s Fringe, participating virtually over youtube.  That being said, while she mentions this in Which Witch, this is not the point of the show nor why it is worth watching. 

Which Witch creates two characters out of the one performer, Ava and Beaux, and features their struggle for control.  Ava is the one who is recognizable as a conventional magish, while Beaux likes to wear extravagant hats and has trouble communicating with the default world.  In both personas Ava/Beaux performs excellent magic.  Appropriately, Beaux has a weirder take on tricks, which was wonderful to see—although it is perhaps worth noting that ethical vegans may prefer not to be Beaux’s audience participant.  Ava/Beaux relies primarily on sleight of hand, but it was Ava’s mind reading trick that got the biggest reaction on the evening of this review. 

Ava and Beaux each charm the audience in their own way.  Ava has her hilarious stream of stories that keep the audience laughing while marveling at her tricks, while Beaux’s unfettered delight at finding herself in the audience’s presence immediately wins us over, in spite of the warnings.  Neither one makes her audience participants feel unsafe in her presence; while Beaux is less predictable any potential for destruction is focused on her own props. 

The finale of the show is visually gorgeous, it is worth sitting through the show even if you hate magic for the chance to see the last few minutes.  The theme of finding the power to take control of your own healing from trauma caused by others is unexpectedly heartfelt, and appropriately timed for a world where both global events and political elites cause suffering that is often impossible for any ordinary individual to stop—but we can take control of our narrative. 

Ava Beaux’s longer term fans may have a different appreciation for Which Witch.  She has always been a storyteller, but here we see her put down literary inspiration and step in to her own story.  It has been a privilege to watch her grow in to her talents and hone her skills.  Those finding Ava Beaux for the first time this year may have to settle for a perfect, stunning magic show, but surely everyone who sees her will be excited to see what she does next. 

More information on Ava Beaux and her performance dates can be found here.

AVA BEAUX: THE MYSTERIOUS TALES OF POE

☆☆☆☆

As the audience enters her venue, Ava Beaux appears to be incredibly sweet and welcoming, pulling over extra chairs to ensure that the sizable crowd who wish to see her show all manage to fit in the room. This is a comforting memory to cling to as The Mysterious Tales of Poe begins and Beaux’s eerie performance persona becomes increasingly unsettling.  Beaux holds the audience’s attention from the moment she silently starts cutting up a balloon string.  Her mesmerizing performance ensures that no one looks away even as the tricks get more macabre.
 

Nevertheless the audience feels a degree of safety, as all of Beaux’s creepiest effects and destructive impulses are focused on herself.  She is kinder to the participants who she calls upon to help throughout the show.  The magic itself is largely well performed.  If the odd prop is visible before it is meant to be the audience hardly notice or care as they are caught up in the flow of Beaux’s interpretations of Poe’s stories.
 

This is where Beaux truly excels, in the interweaving her storytelling with her magic.  Every trick supports the Poe stories that she narrates.  Likewise, each story is perfectly chosen as being suitable to be told through magic and further her theme, so the magic never feels forced.  The finale of her show is, however, entirely storytelling, and Beaux invites her audience to close their eyes to better appreciate Poe’s words, even at the expense of making her final reveal slightly anticlimactic.  Seeing the majority of the audience follow this advice is a testament to the degree of trust that Beaux manages to build in spite of the frightening nature of her performance.
 

The theatricality of The Mysterious Tales of Poe broadens its appeal; audience members certainly don’t have to be fans of magic to enjoy it.  On the other hand, those who are used to seeing magic performed as trick after trick with no unifying theme might gain a greater appreciation for the potential of magic when performed with Beaux’s creativity.
 

More information on Ava Beaux and her performance dates can be found here.

PBH BEST OF MAGIC SHOW

☆☆☆☆

The PBH’s Best of Magic show, hosted by Chris Cook, featured a different lineup of magicians at each of its three performances.  This review is of the third and final performance, and it was a fitting finale to a Fringe full of incredible magic.

Cook was the perfect choice to host this show.  His love for magic shone through each and every one of the glowing introductions that he gave his fellow magicians.  After watching him juggle getting the crowd excited for each act, helping out in various ways throughout the performances, and performing his own magic tricks when the occasion called for it, it is easy to see why Cook has found success in the hectic realm of performing at private parties.  His unflappable cheeriness at every juncture held the show together.

The show kicked off with Aaron Calvert, a mind reading magician whose main show culminates in hypnosis.  Here, with less time, he focuses on the mind reading, using an audience member to choose numbers on a die for him to figure out.  Calvert’s commanding presence kept the audience mesmerized by his feats.

Next up was the delightfully creepy Ava Beaux.  Her Edgar Allan Poe themed show was reviewed here on one of her first performances, and she has only improved over the course of her time at the Fringe—she certainly had plenty of performances in which to do so, as she proved to be so popular that she had to run her show twice a day to satisfy her fans.  Beaux’s performance persona had consistently been one of her strong points, and even that had developed further; she was fully committed to her darkly comic character.  Beaux is reminiscent (if she would permit a more modern comparison than Poe) of Lemony Snicket, of “A Series of Unfortunate Events” fame.  Her magic tricks were appreciably neat and polished, and she kept up the flow of her act to seamlessly incorporate her illusions.

Following Beaux came a properly comic interval, featuring Tom Crosbie.  Crosbie’s main show included a variety of mathematical and Rubik’s cube based comedy.  Here he focused on the Rubik’s cubes, showing off his quick solves, and tricks like solving the Rubik’s cube while it was in midair.  While Crosbie does not do what one would consider a quintessentially magic centered act, his set was entertaining and provided an interesting change of pace.

David Narayan came next, with his own take on mentalism. He also brought along a taste of the magical history lesson that featured so prominently in his main show, The Psychic Project.  Also similarly to his main show, he kept a twist for the end—which, in this case, featured an unusually exciting wardrobe change.  Narayan’s performances at this Fringe have been heavily informed by history, but it is such characteristic personal flourishes that truly set him apart.

The show wrapped up with a final set by Dave Alnwick, another magician who has proved incredibly popular this year.  His wallet-based trick, featuring multiplying yellow fluffy balls, was a fun and playful way to end the show.  Like in all of Alnwick’s performances, his charismatic personality kept the audience engaged regardless of what he was doing on stage.  As Alnwick is also an amazingly skilled magician, the audience was captivated.

This performance of the Best of Magic show featured a wonderfully skilled lineup and stellar performances from every entertainer.  Each one of these performers are exceptional in their own right, and watching them perform on the same stage was a delight.

AVA BEAUX: THE MYSTERIOUS TALES OF POE

☆☆☆

Ava Beaux’s Edgar Allan Poe-themed magic show ‘The Mysterious Tales of Poe’ can be found in a cozy room underneath The Street bar. Relatively new to performing, Beaux opens her show a little nervous at first, but quickly became more confident as she gets further along, and delivers a spellbinding performance.

Rather than jumping straight in to a succession of magic tricks, Beaux skillfully ties her show together through her re-telling of Poe’s short stories. Her act is not, in practice, strictly a magic show, as her spoken word performance shares an equal role. This is certainly to our benefit, as Beaux is a captivating storyteller. Her illusions and storytelling complement each other perfectly to bring Poe’s tales to life.

Beaux also uses sound and practical effects to enhance her act, her use of sound being particularly effective. The knocks of her tell-tale heart initially sound almost like background noise from the bar above, and gradually become more insistent and distinct as Beaux reaches the concluding lines of the story. This particular re-telling is an impressive highlight of her show.

While Beaux often uses her magic abilities to great effect, this aspect of her performance occasionally feels a little bit clumsier. Her hands at times stray a little too close to her suspiciously puffy sleeves, and her transitions after her tricks sometimes feel a bit hasty and awkward. Her final magic trick, as well, feels rushed, and, on the occasion of this review, did not land as solidly as she might have hoped. But while these are issues, given the multi-faceted nature of Beaux’s act they are fairly minor in context. Her magic tricks will probably quickly improve as she gains more experience, perhaps even over the course of this year’s Fringe.

The Mysterious Tales of Poe is well worth watching for the overall effect of Beaux’s performance. She excels at creating atmosphere—the audience truly feels transported in turn to a ship on a stormy ocean or a mysterious old mansion in the middle of the countryside. This show is an inventive and exciting addition to the Fringe magic scene. While her magic surely will continue to improve, Beaux’s storytelling is so fascinating that her audience can hardly notice any flaws.

 

More information on Ava Beaux and her performance dates can be found here