Edinburgh International Magic Festival 2013

As the fourth Edinburgh International Magic Festival casts its spell across the Capital, from 28 June - 5 July 2013, audiences are invited to immerse themselves in the surreal magical world between fact and fiction.

Breath-taking illusions and awe inspiring magic from performers across Europe and as far afield as Australia will once again take you to the fun fringes of reality. Classic meets close-up, mindreading defies illusion, cabaret clashes with comedy and levitation renders the impossible possible.

The Magic and Variety Gala Show transforms the beautiful Royal Lyceum Theatre into world of unreality. Compered by THE COLOUR HAM, the finest award winning magicians from around the world are joined by a dragon, a dule of doves and the world’s first magic performing Chihuahua! The Great Lafayette Award makes its third appearance; this year’s recipient is anyone’s guess in what bodes to be a superb evening of contemporary, cutting edge magic.

MagicFest Artistic Director, Kevin McMahon said: “The Gala Opening is one of the highlights of MagicFest and I’m really looking forward to welcoming the best, progressive home-grown and international performers here to Edinburgh. Most of the acts are making their Scottish debut.”

Portuguese duo, TA NA MANGA, open the Gala with their multi-awarding winning act; integrating theatre and magic, music and comedy. Frenchman JEROME HELFENSTEIN’s shadow act is filled with subdued, refined, poetic beauty; an emotive journey to new destinations.

Spain’s stylish showman and master manipulator, CHARLIE MAG presents his award winning act with live doves making them appear as if from thin air. Imagine Jack Dee in a dragon suit, performing jaw dropping magic, with a cute sidekick and you have PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON and Mr Piffles the Chihuahua! International street performer and winner of last year’s ‘War of the Wizards’, Aussie TONY ROBERTS, makes his MagicFest debut performing his straight jacket escape.

Last, but by no means least, are dashing duo of deception and plucky Victorian prestidigitators MORGAN & WEST who travel through time to complete the bill. Once again you can enjoy the Gala afternoon preview show for just £10.

No MagicFest would be complete without its annual intake of budding wizards and wizardesses. MAGIC SCHOOL (aged 7-10) wizardry workshops have attracted pupils from as far afield as Norway, France and across the UK, all keen to learn, create and perform their own magic.

Enrol now for the brand new 2.5 hour workshops or 5-day course with fun show for parents. STREET MAGIC MASTERCLASS offers 11-14 years olds the chance to learn some mind-blowing techniques and the secrets behind sleight-of-hand from magic masters FRITZ ALKEMADE from the Netherlands and LUKE EATON from the UK.

MagicFest are delighted to bring one of the most polished and intriguing mind readers to Capital; LUKE JERMAY. Having spent the last 3 years headlining the Las Vegas Strip, Luke was the creative consultant to Derren Brown and the man credited with inspiring CBS’ multi-awarding winning show ‘The Mentalist’.

An adventurous evening out, a delicious three course meal and an immersive magical show are on the MAGIC DINNER menu, once again at the lavish Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh. Wonderland characters bring everyday objects to life, help to find your muchness and promise at least six impossible things before dessert!

Enter the THE SECRET ROOM at Lauriston Castle and travel back in time to a world of clandestine laboratories and hidden passages. The finest Scottish magicians animate the castle’s mysterious past with stories, performances and illusions related to the history of Lauriston and her intriguing owners.

Are you ready to be conned? The master of scams, PAUL WILSON, is back with one of the most immersive, engaging and personal ways to experience magic. Enter the set of BBC’s Real Hustle and prepare to blown away by one of the world’s most respected performers of close-up, sleight-of-hand magic.

Returning to Edinburgh after 3 years absence, pioneer of the alternative magic scene, ALI COOK, brings the WOW factor with his big illusions and beautiful girls. Star of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Dirty Tricks, Monkey Magic, Psychic Secrets Revealed with Derren Brown and Jerry Sadowitz’s Jerry@Trick sketch show, Ali’s hugely impressive show is a spectacle to behold.

Kevin added: “For our fourth year we're really happy to increase access to MagicFest with a series of free events in the line-up. We've also launched a Patron's Programme this year allowing magic lovers to get even closer to the festival without revealing all the secrets!”

Immerse yourself in the surreal magical world between fact and fiction and have fun at the fourth Edinburgh International Magic Festival from the 28 June – 5 July.

Edinburgh International Magic Festival Dates: 28 June - 5 July 2013

Edinburgh International Magic Festival Listings

Magic and Variety Gala Show

Fri 28 June 2.30pm & 7.00pm

The Royal Lyceum Theatre

2.30pm (Preview) • All tickets £10

7pm • £24/£20/£16 adults, £20/£16/£12 conc, £12 child

Duration: 2hr 30mins with interval

Ages 5+

Magic School

One-off Magic School Workshop • £15

Sat 29 June - Sun 30 June

10.00am OR 1.30pm

5-Day Magic School • £85

Mon 1 July - Fri 5 July

10.00am OR 1.30pm

Trinity Apse, Chalmers Close, Royal Mile

Duration: approx 2hr 30min
Ages 7-10

Please note, all children should be registered for Magic School in advance and therefore, tickets for this event are not available on the door. 

Ian Kendall "An Afternoon of Magic"

Sat 29 June - Fri 5 July (except Mon 1 July & Tues 2 July) 4.00pm

The Vault • £8/£6 conc/£5 child

Duration: 50mins

Ages 7+

Morgan & West “A Grand Adventure”

Sat 29 June - Sun 30 June 5.00pm

The Scottish Storytelling Centre • £12/£10 conc/£8 child

Duration: 60mins

Ages 7+

Fritz with a Z "Let’s Go Dutch"

Sat 29 June – Fri 5 July 6.30pm

The Vault • £10/£8 conc/£5 child

Duration: 60mins

Ages 7+

Ali Cook “Principles and Deceptions”
Sat 29 June - Fri 5 July (except Mon 1 July) 7.00pm

The Scottish Storytelling Centre • £12/£10 conc/£8 child

Duration: 50mins

Ages 12+

Tony Roberts “Card Magic”

Sat 29 June - Fri 5 July 7.45pm

The Vault • £10/£8 conc/£5 child

Duration: 50mins

Ages 10+

Luke Jermay “6th Sense”
Sat 29 June - Fri 5 July (except Mon 1 July) 8.30pm

The Scottish Storytelling Centre • £12/£10 conc

Duration: 75mins

Ages 14+

Magic Dinner
Sat 29 June 7.00pm

The Royal Scots Club • £55 per person • Discounts available for groups 10+

Duration: approx 3hr 30mins

Ages 16+ only

Late Night Myths with Colin McLeod, Marcus Gordon & Elliot Bibby

Sat 29 June - Sun 30 June 9.00pm

The Vault • £10/£8 conc/£5 child

Duration: 60mins

Ages 12+

War of the Wizards Under 18’s

Sun 30 June 11.00am

The Scottish Storytelling Centre • £5/£3 conc

Duration: 60mins
Ages 10+

Open War of the Wizards

Sun 30 June 2.00pm

The Scottish Storytelling Centre • £5/£3 conc

Duration: 90mins

Ages 10+

Street Magic Master Class

Mon 1 July - Wed 3 July 11.00am

City Art Centre • £35

Duration: approx 5hr 30min

Ages 11-14

Please note, all children should be registered for Street Magic Master Class in advance and therefore, tickets for this event are not available on the door. 

Tricky Ricky “Magical Madness”

Mon 1 July - Fri 5 July 5.00pm

The Scottish Storytelling Centre • £10/£8 conc/£5 child

£25 family ticket available (2 adults and 2 children)

Duration: 50mins
All Ages

Lewis Barlow "The Way of the Magician"

Mon 1 July 7.00pm & 8.30pm

The Scottish Storytelling Centre • £12/£10 conc/£5 child

Duration: 55mins

Ages 8+

Paul Nardini "The Parlour Magician"

Mon 1 July - Thurs 4 July 9.00pm

The Vault • £10/£8 conc/£5 child

Duration: 50mins

Ages 12+

Paul Wilson "Sleight of Hand"
Wed 3 July 7.00pm, 8.30pm & 10.00pm

SKYbar, Point Hotel Edinburgh • £20/£18 conc

Duration: 60mins

Ages 12+

The Secret Room
Thurs 4 July 5.30pm & 7.30pm

Lauriston Castle • £20 /£18 conc

Ages 10+

MagicFest at SKYbar
Thurs 4 July 6.00pm til midnight

SKYbar, Point Hotel Edinburgh• FREE

Over 18's only

Four Nations Magic-Off

Fri 5 July 10.00pm

Voodoo rooms • £16/£14 conc

Duration: till late!

Over 18’s only

FREE Street Shows Summer

Street shows will be taking place throughout the Festival on the Royal Mile and surrounding areas subject to the unpredictable (even for magicians) Edinburgh weather! Check www.magicfest.co.uk for more information.

HOW TO BUY TICKETS

Online: www.magicfest.co.uk

Telephone: 0131 473 2000

In person: Hub Tickets (The Hub, Castlehill EH1 2NE)

Hub Tickets Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 30th June 10am to 5pm.

Booking Fees: 50p per ticket booking fee (up to a maximum of £3 for telephone and in person sales).

Concessions are available for Full-time students, Senior citizens (60 and over), disabled citizens and companions and under 16’s (unless a child ticket is available).

Group Discounts are available for groups of over ten people. Please phone 0131 473 2000 for more information.

Special Offer: Buy tickets for 4 different events - 10% OFF / Buy tickets for 6 different events - 15% OFF /

Buy tickets for 8 different events - 20% OFF.