Awesome Andy, better known as Andy Boyd, the self-proclaimed “Professional Show Off,” has brought his brand-new family variety show to the Fringe this year, and it is an absolute delight.
As part of the free fringe and performing at CC Bloom, Andy combined stand-up comedy for children, playful clowning, silliness and magic into one hugely entertaining hour designed to appeal equally to kids and their grown-ups. It is a wonderfully energetic mix, and Andy is exceptional across all the different skills he brings to the stage.
Audience participation is a big part of the show; children are all presented with a wand at the beginning and invited to get involved in a variety of ways. Some participation can be done comfortably from the audience, while others are invited up onstage to become part of the action. Andy creates a wonderfully friendly and welcoming atmosphere, making even the shyest children feel comfortable enough to join in.
His rapport with the audience is genuine and one of the show’s greatest strengths. The children particularly loved those moments when they thought they had worked out how a trick was done, only for Andy to reveal that he had completely fooled them. Children who initially sat quietly and shyly soon found themselves shouting out answers and enthusiastically joining in.
There is plenty here for magic fans, too. Andy’s creativity lies not only in his individual tricks but also in the way he combines magic with comedy and audience interaction. Even if you recognise an element of a particular trick, Andy presents it in such an imaginative and entertaining way that it feels fresh and unexpected.
One of my personal favourites was the magic colouring book, which involved the children waving their wands and helping to create magic. It was a lovely example of how Andy makes the audience feel genuinely part of the performance rather than simply spectators.
There was a tiny bit of creakiness at the very beginning as Andy settled into the show, but this is a brand-new production, and I have no doubt it will become even slicker as the Fringe progress.
A hugely enjoyable, silly, and magical hour for the whole family. Well, it’s worth a visit, and I’m already looking forward to seeing Awesome Andy again next year!
For more information and details of further shows, please see the link below.
Four Stars.
Reviewed by Nina Gardner.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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