Every few years on slow news days journalists dust off the old “magic is the new rock and roll” story. This year, though, it might almost be true. As well as Derren Brown touring, there are two major prestidigitation (look it up) shows opening in big theatres. Impossible opens later this month while The Illusionists opens in the autumn. And then there is Pete Firman, who has been around for a while now with his excellently chirpy brand of comedy magic. I can remember him on Five’s Monkey Magic yonks ago and since then the Middlesbrough magician has become a fixture on the Fringe and TV, almost as famous for his cheesy patter and cheesy suits as he is for his brilliant tricks. Firman doesn’t reinvent the wheel – basically he makes things appear and disappear – but he does it with such aplomb that everyone loves him. While you might go away from a Derren Brown show thinking Brown should be burnt at the stake you are more likely to leave a Firman show wishing that he was your big brother. 

Pete Firman is at The Tommyfield tonight with Josh Widdicombe, tickets here, and at The Pleasance from Aug 5 - 30, tickets here.