Quantum began by asking whether there were any kids in the audience and remind us that his 4pm show is rated PG. I think that only applies to the banter and the risk of having audience members up on stage.
Illumination is a mix of science and magic. I was impressed with the magic. He’s good at the slight of hand. The science works well when combined directly with the card tricks. For example, there’s one set in which Kevin Quantum uses light to reveal the card that had been picked.
Perhaps adding a touch of science into a magic show helps legitimise it for some viewers. I’d seen much – or knew – of the science already. That didn’t disqualify the enjoyment but certainly did reduce the wonder.
The show is wrapped in a story. As you’d expect we’re dealing with light but in particular we’re interested in rainbows. As Quantum points out rainbows are interesting because they need light and water and as they’re an optical effect you also need someone to view them.
There’s the promise of a big rainbow at the end of the set. Do you think he’s got tonnes of water stashed on stage in secret or can the rainbow be achieved in a different way? I think it’s fun to speculate and while Kevin took us through his story, his relationship with a science-loving uncle, I suspect he could have foreshadowed the finale more thoroughly.
Sometimes performers can only be as good as their assistants. There’s a will-o-the-wisp scene which didn’t quite end according to plan (I strongly suspect) on our trip as after the scene had finished the wisp made an unscheduled return and plenty of audience members got confirmation on how the effect was achieved. However, credit to Kevin Quantum for not drawing any more attention to it, powering through and keeping the younger fans distracted and unaware.
My main heads up is a reminder that the show in up in one of the hot rooms in Teviot (calling itself the Gilded Balloon Teviot) so expect tightly packed seats and strip down to a t-shirt when you can.
Overall? A fun show for the kids. A good mix of education and wonder. Very festival.