Britain's Got Talent Finals to Breadline. Lockdown Baby to BBC Commission. Edinburgh Magician Kevin Quantum is back at the Fringe with his most joyful show to date - and he's not taking anything for granted.
Magician Kevin Quantum, trained by Penn & Teller, presents a fast-paced, jaw-dropping show, that guarantees to blow your mind. In a fraction of a second go from belly laughing to intense confusion and lose yourself in mystery. Be transfixed, shocked and properly entertained, once again, on a night out where stranger things will happen right before your eyes
Expect smoke, flames, mirrors, magic, laughter and wows as the pish of the last 30 months is well and truly forgotten and joy returns. Performing in the legendary 'Debating Hall' (home to Late’n’Live, and other “epic-class” Fringe shows), this Gilded Balloon theatre has hosted the biggest names at the Fringe. To be back in this space after being promised it three years ago is a dream come true for Edinburgh based Quantum.
The Skinny – Edinburgh Fringe ‘Talk of The Town’ Award Winner
Adelaide Fringe – Best Magic – (2018)
Adelaide Fringe – Weekly Award Winner – (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022)
Scottish Comedy Awards – Nominee (2018, 2015 & 2014)
Kevin said "The Debating Hall is hallowed ground for me. I've seen some of my idols on this stage. Dara Ó'Briain, Tim Minchin, and many more. To be performing here is a dream come true. I feel like I've been holding this show inside me for months. I need to do this. And to do it here with Gilded Balloon is a treasure."
Despite the title, DARK MATTER is a joyful show that pulls together Kevin's comic wit, his magician/science mind for stunning show-craft and the ages he's spent thinking about it all. But to understand why Edinburgh Fringe 2022 means so much to Kevin you need to go back to tougher times.
2020 couldn't have started any better for Kevin; a three-state tour of Australia in January, with standing ovations, full houses and 5-star reviews. A return to the UK and sparkling audition on Britain's Got Talent (judges and audience on their feet, with David Walliams exclaiming Kevin was a "Sexy Doctor Who!") and finally the happy and healthy delivery of Melody, Kevin's second daughter at the Royal Infirmary here in Edinburgh.
A breakthrough year was on the cards. A full schedule of UK and EU tours, and perhaps one of the best auditions of the Britain's Got Talent season. Then Boom. Lockdown. Every single booking. Gone. Breakthrough year. Gone. Much like the plotline from the Kevin Bacon epic "Footloose" - in person entertainment had now become illegal. And Kevin's sole income had completely dried up.
When you get served lemons - make lemonade. Digital was the new realm for togetherness. Kevin's home schooling with his second daughter Olivia became a smash hit and ended up being commissioned by the BBC. Kevin's auditions in Italy 2020 and Germany 2021 saw him reach the final stages of Tu Si Que Vales (Italy's Got Talent) and Das Supertalent (Germany's Got Talent). But the heartbreak went on… despite making it to the finals of Tu Si Que Vales, COVID travel restrictions prevent him from taking part.
"For me this show should have been the one after I'd reached the final of BGT, but all that was robbed from me. All those big plans vanished in a puff of smoke. These last few years have been horrible for me and the entire entertainment industry. And for me, my family and my audience I'm going to pull out all the stops and make this my best show yet."
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