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Breaking up the magic fan’s usual Fringe schedule with something a bit different, Forget About Me is as much a horror play as it is a magic show. It’s also very funny. As the audience enters the theater space, Dylan Howells stands in a bathtub shrouded in a curtain—the perfect introduction to a show about a ghost in the bathroom. While it may not be as frightening as the more ardent horror fans might prefer, or have as much magic as fans of that art form might like, it’s an interesting blend of the two, helmed by a skilled performer who easily holds the audience’s attention.

Howells uses magic to illustrate his story to often good effect. There was a slightly sloppy moment at the reviewed show when Howells cleared away a few props in front of the audience, visibly snapping a string and challenging the audience’s suspension of disbelief. While the rest of the effects were performed well, when the magic is so sparse such a noticeable imperfection has a greater effect. On the other hand, the effect that Howells uses at the end is cleverly done to highlight and indeed augment the final plot reveal, in a particularly impressive use of magic.

As a mixed genre show, Howells asks for fairly minimal audience interaction. He requests a few pieces of input from the seats and doesn’t bring anyone onstage with him. Howells’s primary interaction is with his tech man and voice performer, and their stage chemistry is a highlight. Both have excellent comedic timing that they use to bring a welcome levity to the show.

While Forget About Me is horror, it’s structured to feel accessible to those who may not be as enthusiastic about being scared. The scary moments are well signposted, making mental preparation easier to do. The final plot twist may be easy to predict, even by viewers who don’t partake often with from the genre, which is perhaps unavoidable given the ubiquity of these tropes in popular culture. However, Howells’s use of magic makes it interesting again.

Howells is an engaging performer and Forget About Me is an interestingly constructed show. It may not be the tidiest blend of magic and horror, but Howells’s charm makes watching it an enjoyable experience. The reviewed show was early in the run and Howells will perhaps benefit from the chance to develop the show over the course of the Fringe. Howells’s creative approach to both magic and horror, not to mention his talent as a performer, makes Forget About Me worth seeing, particularly for fans of both genres.