Nude magic show set to hit Edinburgh Fringe Festival

NOW you see it. Now you don't. But did you want to? And where did it go? The Naked Magicians aren't saying.
The naked magic show in all its unclothed glory. Picture: contributedThe naked magic show in all its unclothed glory. Picture: contributed
The naked magic show in all its unclothed glory. Picture: contributed

From Puppetry of the Penis to The Naked Stand-up, Edinburgh Fringe Festival has been no stranger to controversial shows down the years.

This August is set to be no different as two of Australia’s most popular entertainers vie for the Most Outrageous Act of 2016 crown. Top illusionists Christopher Wayne and Mike Tyler will quite literally be baring all in the name of their art.

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Following sold-out shows and rave reviews around the world, the pair will bring their unique brand of cheeky magic to The Pleasance in a show guaranteed to raise eyebrows.

Featuring magic, mirth, and more than a touch of mayhem, the two illusionists, with no sleeves or pockets from which to make things appear, take sleight of hand to a whole new level.

Explaining the origins of the act, Wayne, the first Australian magician in TV history to have his own television series, says: “We’d both had successful careers doing regular magic for years and then the film Magic Mike was released.” The movie, which starred Channing Tatum as a handyman who headlines as a stripper in an all-male revue, was a box-office hit when it was released in 2012 and spawned a sequel.

People started joking, ‘How big is your wand?’ and, ‘Can you make your clothes disappear?’ We realised no-one had ever made a naughty magic show,” recalls the 32-year-old.

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And so the show Abracadabra was born, complete with birthday suit.

“We can’t wait to show Edinburgh our magic wands.”

The show, which will run at The Pleasance from August 8-29 at 10.30pm, includes card tricks, rope tricks, mentalism, escapology and ‘big sharp knives’.

Magician, mentalist and comedy hypnotist Tyler, a former competitive swimmer, adds: “I’m so excited to be coming to Edinburgh.”

However, he does have one worry. The Capital’s inclement summers have left the 33-year-old with a slight concern.

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Laughing, he continues: “I’ve heard lots about the Scottish summer weather and given we’re flying in direct from Indianapolis, where it’ll be almost 90 degrees Fahrenheit, audiences in Edinburgh might see a slightly shorter show . . . depending on how cold it is.”

Wayne adds: “Our Fringe show is the ultimate girls’ night out, but it really is so much more than that.

“First and foremost, we are a comedy show, and it will be the funniest show you will see.

“If you just want to see naked guys, go see the 
Chippendales, but if you want to see a truly hilarious and naughty magic show where the two performers get naked, we’ve got you, if not ourselves, covered.”

Tickets for The Naked Magicians go on sale tomorrow at 11am, priced £11.50-£15, from www.pleasance.co.uk