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A newcomer to the Edinburgh Fringe, Francisco Mousinho has brought his excitingly named Tricks I Stole from Dead People as a debut. While the venue may not have been what he expected and apparently hampered his act, no circumstances could hamper his spirit. Mousinho is an engaging performer to watch even if he can’t do quite as much as he wants to this year.

The Edinburgh version of his act evidentially changes regularly, depending on the audience he gets—with a small venue and a late time slot, audience size can vary significantly. The reviewed show on a Sunday evening was intimate but not bad for the day before the start of the work week. Mousinho performed a variety of close up effects, each with a story to go along with it. His take on a rope trick was particularly fun to watch. A classic of magic, this is not often the most interesting to see performed, but Mousinho managed to make it his own in a fun way that really got the audience involved.

With a relatively small audience Mousinho was able to get everyone involved. Most of the participation involved checking out the props, and even sometimes patting down his arms and sleeves, to keep him honest—at least by magician standards. Mousinho is a friendly performer, the small audience felt welcomed and appreciated. With that type of crowd it can feel a bit like hanging out with the magician as much as watching them perform, and Mousinho readily adopted the attitude of the welcoming host, making everyone feel comfortable in the pub basement that is his home for the Fringe.

Mousinho readily admits that his show is not what he envisioned for the Fringe. The theme of tricks he’s stolen from dead people is certainly promising, and with the storytelling flair that he demonstrates even with the routines that he is able to perform, it sounds like the full act would be a real treat. Hopefully this year is the appetizer to get Edinburgh excited for the fully realized show that he brings to a future festival, whether the Fringe, MagicFest, or both. His audience walked out eager to see more from him.

Fringe audiences aren’t able to tell what they’ve missed with Mousinho’s performance, just what they have received, and he’s well worth the time. Tucked away in a venue slightly off the beaten path, he feels like a hidden gem of an act. Next time he visits he’ll still be a gem, but perhaps a little less hidden.