![](https://www.sardinesmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/1540_1439504248.jpg)
Show: Linking Rings
Society: Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Venue: Le Monde
Credits: Paul Zenon
Type: Sardines
Author: Chris Abbott
Performance Date: 13/08/2015
Linking Rings
Chris Abbott | 13 Aug 2015 18:19pm
Paul Zenon is a regular on the Fringe; a skilled magician who has worked in many different contexts. In this show, however, he shares some of his own beginnings as a magician in Blackpool.
He is an engaging storyteller and communicates well with his audience, and gradually interweaves three life stories: his own; that of Bill Thompson, Blackpool magic shop owner; and Zenon’s quest to find out more about Jim Collins, one of the main people in Harry Houdini’s trusted team.
Zenon has an insider’s knowledge of magical history and is able to put over well his enthusiasm for the genre. He is at his most engaging when sharing stories of his search for lost photos of Houdini and the background of Houdini’s assistant with whom he shares a name.
The appearance of a slide projector to show these lost photographs seems entirely appropriate somehow; they just wouldn’t be the same as part of a Powerpoint presentation. The video as the audience enters is effective too as a visual reference for the Blackpool that has now all but gone, and the stage is suitably dressed with magic props including the linking rings which also form the link between the three life stories.
The trick is of course performed by Zenon – with the deceptive ease that only comes from considerable practice – and he also interweaves some clever magical effects into his storytelling.
The show could perhaps do with input from a director or writer to tighten it up in places – the beginning seems a little rushed, and the connections between the different stories get a little lost in the middle – but these are small concerns.
This is a great example of storytelling from the heart and will particularly appeal to anyone with an interest in the history of magic.
- : admin
- : 13/08/2015