The comical magician – or magical comic – Jarred Fell is quick to point out he is no ‘Dynamo’ given this is live, before our very eyes, with no camera or editing tricks possible. But as a child he was inspired to become a magician by seeing a Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee magic show.

His subsequent evolution as a magician through primary, intermediate and secondary school gives narrative structure to the early part of the show and there is a risqué frisson in his banter. The first trick he ever learned is just that: a trick.

The trick of lowering expectations by seeming to stuff up a routine – “When the magic doesn’t work, that’s comedy” – only to deliver at a whole new level is splendidly employed.

Much of the enjoyment comes from his encouraging us to develop the observational skills he claims allow him to work out who is lying or not. And under the guise of proving what a scam ‘psychic powers’ are, Fell fools us admirably.

Even though he explains quite clearly how he does one thing, I – I think I can say we all –have no idea how he knows what people have drawn on his paper pad when his eyes and most of his head are encased in duct tape.

Then there’s the one word picked from a few thousand in a newspaper trick and – as a bonus, with our agreement – an astounding demonstration of how easy it is to pick pockets.

Witnessing a comical magic show up close like this adds a special quality to our verification and enjoyment of his skills.

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