Ben Hanlin: Trickhead

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Likeable Midlands magician Ben Hamlin fronts ITV2’s Tricked, in which the general public and some sub-prime celebrities are teased with close-up illusions. Trickhead is his debut Edinburgh hour and the illusions are as gobsmackingly unbelievable as they are on TV.

Hanlin has Brian Cox’s flat hair and vowels, but much of his audience interaction and several of the illusions are inspired directly by Derren Brown’s work in live shows like Enigma and Miracle. He works alone with only a stage manager to carry props on and off—there are no hidden cameras, complex apparatus or lighting effects— and mostly with paper, a pack of cards and a chalkboard.

It’s a sudden and unnerving revelation that anyone other than Brown can perfect such complex mind-control stage magic, but delightful that Hanlin is both cheaper and nicer. That stage geekiness also masks a fiercer intelligence. His friendly manner makes this a show where you needn’t be anxious about putting your hand up and taking part – no one is humiliated or made to imitate farm animals here. That he can deliver such excellence for a fraction of the ticket price and without patronising his audiences makes this a must-see.

Hanlin asks the audience not to reveal the nature of the tricks, but safe to say the one with the numbers and the one where you tear up some paper will have you puzzling all the way to the bar. The one based on a dating app will have you puzzling all the way to the next time you see this guy on stage.