- Kevin Quantum at the Carnegie Hall where he first trod the boards in Some Like It Hot
- Fifteenth MagicFest kicks off in Edinburgh and Dunfermline
As a 17-year-old acting in a youth theatre version of Some Like it Hot, Kevin McMahon could never have imagined he would return to the same stage as a famous international magician.
Now known worldwide as Kevin Quantum, the master illusionist is presenting a special Christmas show at Dunfermline’s Carnegie Hall on 20 and 21 December.
He said: “It’s a real homecoming. I was raised in Rosyth and went to school in Dunfermline and it was there I got my love of theatre and performance.
“My family always took me to the Carnegie Hall for the pantos and Christmas shows. Then I joined the Carnegie Youth Theatre and vividly remember playing the band leader in Some Like It Hot.
“So, to be returning with my own Christmas Special, will be an absolute joy for me.”
Despite playing in a stage version of the movie made famous by Marilyn Munroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, Kevin’s future looked as if it would be in science, as he went to the University of Edinburgh to take a PhD in physics.
But a twist of fate saw him appearing on the TV show Faking It, where the famous Penn and Teller had a couple of weeks to turn him into such a good magician that he could pass as a professional.
It worked. In fact, it worked so well it changed his life and career.
Since then he has starred in many TV shows in the UK (including Britain’s Got Talent), the USA and other countries.
He has won multiple awards at home and abroad – and has proved a particularly big hit in Australia. His Edinburgh shows are an eagerly anticipated annual hit at the Fringe.
Kevin is also a keen ambassador for magic as an art form and entertainment, founding the Edinburgh International Magic Festival (MagicFest). This year’s event, which starts this week and runs to 30 December, will be the 15th edition.
Festival shows range from the intimate to the spectacular, feature some of the best magicians around, suit all ages at tastes, and take place at venues across the city.
The Carnegie Hall shows are the first time MagicFest has spread outside the capital.
They feature Kevin with new and astonishing magic plus breathtaking stage illusions in a riotously fun and enchanting family show. Expect a mix of amazement, laughter, audience participation and derring-do.
Alongside Kevin, bringing the smoke and mirrors, are The Art of Illusion; internationally renowned magic duo Chris De Rosa and Michelle Ferguson. They promise drama, vanishes, levitations – big tricks and big wows with the glamour and glitz of a West End magic show.
Completing the line up is South Korean sleight of hand master Yollin Lee and The Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year (and Rubik’s Cube wizard) Adam Black.
- Full MagicFest line up and tickets here www.magicfest.co.uk.
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Notes
Exhibition listings details
Magical Edinburgh: An Exhibition of Photographic Illusions with Edinburgh Young Carers
- Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High St, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR
- Tickets: Free
- Dates: 8 December 2024-26 January 2025
- Suitability: All Ages.
The exhibition is non-ticketed, however the space is sometimes used for private events so you may wish to call ahead of your visit to ensure it will be viewable. You can contact Reception on 0131 556 9579.
About Edinburgh Young Carers.
Edinburgh Young Carers has 30 years’ experience as a voluntary organisation supporting children and young people aged 5-25, who are impacted or take on a significant caring role for someone at home. We predominately support children and young people within the North East and South East of the City of Edinburgh, our mission is to improve the lives and wellbeing of young carers, giving the young people who access our service the opportunity to get a bit of respite support from their caring role and most importantly be a child or a young person.
- Find out more about Edinburgh Young Careers at https://www.youngcarers.org.uk.
MagicFest highlights include
- Christmas Special: A riotous full evening show on the big stage with new, unfiltered magic and spectacular stage illusions designed to blow your mind.
- Edinburgh Magic: Kevin Quantum unlocks hidden Edinburgh and presents the magic that’s fooled the greatest minds associated with the city, from Harry Houdini to King Charles. Objects float before your eyes, money multiplies, time stands still.
- The Secret Room: Intimate performances from some of Edinburgh’s finest mystery entertainers, in an elegant townhouse full of surprises. Featuring world-class card magician Lewis Barlow, astounding sleight-of-hand artist Tim Licata and captivating magician and mind-reader Lorenzo.
- Dan Bastianelli, Deception: Following sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, award-winning magician Dan Bastianelli brings his close-up magic experience to MagicFest.
- Lorenzo, Oracle: Do You Want to See the Future?: A jaw-dropping thought-reading experience that has audiences grinning, scratching their heads and wondering if they have glimpsed their personal future. A premonition party.
- Tim Licata. Close-Up & Personal: A tale of magic, the mafia and delightful deception.
Blending tricks and illusions with colourful storytelling as Chicago-born sleight-of-hand artist Tim Licata reveals his personal journey into the conjuror’s craft. - Tricky Ricky, The After Christmas, Christmas Show: Laugh your Christmas socks off with Scotland’s “Children’s Entertainer of the year” Tricky Ricky in this funny, punny magic show.
- Will Houstoun and Richard Wiseman, Magic 101: A workshop: Psychologist Richard Wiseman and sleight of hand expert Will Houstoun introduce you to the world of magic. Learn amazing tricks, explore psychology and performance skills, and discover how to astonish and entertain your friends and family. For ages 11+, family groups welcome, participants under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult.
- Dr Houstoun’s Conjuring: Discover the truth about incredible magicians of days gone by and share the doctor’s fascination with the history of magic.
- Richard Wiseman, The Invention of Magic: Celebrating magic and with illusions crafted by an unknown master, this show explores the invention of the impossible. Peek into the secret world of magic and witness the world’s greatest card trick.
- Magic Bros, Tinsel and Tricks: Step into a world of wonder with a captivating magic show presented by young, up-and-coming magicians, Logan Ford and Jamie Leonard who first appeared as part of the 2022 MagicFest Future Magicians initiative.
- Virtual Magic School: Learn to read minds, make objects appear and disappear, and other mysterious skills with a special eight-part virtual magic course from Kevin Quantum.
Full line up and tickets here www.magicfest.co.uk.
Supported by
City of Edinburgh Council Edinburgh 900 Community Fund
Bookings
- Online www.magicfest.co.uk
- Phone 0131 226 0006
Booking lines are open till 21st December, Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm. During the holidays, please email [email protected]
In person: Tickets can be purchased on the day from the Festival venues, subject to availability.
Booking Fees: A booking fee of £1 per ticket is applied to all bookings, up to a maximum of £3 per transaction.
Electronic Tickets: MagicFest is an e-ticketed event so you will need to present the barcode at the top of your confirmation email on entry. This can either be on a smartphone or tablet or in printed form. If you book multiple events, the same barcode will allow entry to all the events in one transaction. If you do not have a smartphone or access to a printer, please call us to make your booking on 0131 226 0006 and we can send out the printed confirmation email in the post for a £1.50 charge.
Concessions are available for:
- Full-time students
- Senior citizens (65 and over)
- Under 16s (unless a child ticket is available)
- Disabled patrons (companions go free).
If you require wheelchair access or a complimentary companion ticket, please call our box office to book over the phone on 0131 226 0006.
Group Discounts: Available for groups of ten or more people. Please phone 0131 226 0006 for more information.
Please note the festival has a no refund or exchange policy, other than in the event of a cancellation. Booking fees are a cost incurred for processing the tickets and are non-refundable. Latecomers may only be admitted at the discretion of staff and only during a suitable break in the performance. ALL SEATING IS UNRESERVED except for the events at the Church Hill Theatre.
Festival Team
- Svetlana McMahon Creative Director and Producer
- Kevin Quantum Programming Director
- Ida Casilli Administrator and Fundraising Manager
- Scottish Festivals PR Press Office and PR
- 291 Media Digital Marketing.