- Was Chicago-born magician’s uncle a hitman called The Knife?
- New generation magicians including Edinburgh’s Dan Bastianelli
Chicago-born Tim Licata learned magic from his favourite uncle – but Sal had more secrets than just how to make cards disappear.
Now living in Edinburgh, and with a career both as an actor and stage magician, Tim is one of the stars of this year’s 15th annual MagicFest.
His show, which combines theatre with tricks and illusions, talks about how Uncle Sal turned out to be part of the Mafia and Tim’s long-held suspicion that he might have been a notorious hitman known simply as “The Knife”.
He said: “Sal was my favourite uncle, he was great at cards and also at card tricks – which he taught me when I was a boy.
“But as I grew up I discovered there was much more to him than this. The show is partly about him, what he taught me, and my theory that he might actually be ‘The Knife’.”
Close Up and Personal takes place on 29 and 30 December at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, one of the main venues for this year’s Edinburgh International Festival of Magic (MagicFest).
There’s lots of magic, humour and audience involvement throughout the show – which is just one of a host of fabulous performances taking place from now until 30 December.
Kevin Quantum, international magician and founder of MagicFest, said: “Tim is just one of the many great performers we have this year – a superb sleight-of-hand magician, with an amazing tale to tell.
“And we have so much more to offer like up-and-coming star, Dan Bastianelli, who got his start as a boy through MagicFest, and has gone from strength to strength, including having his own sell-out show at this year’s Fringe.
“The festival is a great way to add extra sparkle to the festive season, with shows to suit the whole family, featuring everything from mind-blowing spectacle to breathtaking mind reading.”
Dan’s MagicFest show Deception is a masterclass in close-up magic and takes place on 29 and 30 December.
And, with a new year on the horizon you can also see Lorenzo, with his show Lorenzo, Oracle: Do You Want to See the Future?
It’s 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.
- Full MagicFest line up and tickets here www.magicfest.co.uk.
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Notes
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.
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]