Reviews - Fringe 2015

Fringe 2015 Review: A Magic Show With A Brief Musical Interlude

By Kevin Somers
Published July 21, 2015


You have to admire Marty Papernick, writer, producer, and performer of A Magic Show With A Brief Musical Interlude. The crowd was small Sunday night for a 9:30 performance, but Papernick carried on like he had a full house and those of us who were there had a great time.

No one will say Papernick's a perfectly polished performer or the magic is mind-melting, but it's solid and he's funny, sincere, and entertaining. The musical interlude is brief, but spectacular.

I'm used to a faster pace and it took a while to settle in and enjoy Marty's leisurely tempo when setting up and executing tricks and illusions. Throughout the show, Papernick was sharing jokes, puns, and self-deprecating anecdotes.

"Why did the chicken cross the road? To get away from the magician."

An egg was broken for a trick and, before the next, Papernick was cleaning the mess with a roll of paper towels, while talking about his wife, domestic bliss, and home maintenance.

One trick, which involved a guest from the audience, misfired, but Papernick copped to it and carried on, adding to the charm.

Marty's website tells us he mostly plays churches, schools, and senior residences, so his show is perfect for families wanting to enjoy something together. In fact, when I got home I told my wife and daughters I'd like to go again with them.

Papernick openly admits playing The Hamilton Fringe Festival is big time. From the media kit, "As a resident of East Garafraxa, my closest community is Marsville (a real place - MapQuest it). So, for me to come to Hamilton and perform here is quite overwhelming." To me, he represents what the festival is all about.

A Magic Show With A Brief Musical Interlude has good illusions, good humour, and a good presenter, which makes for a great show. If you have any doubt, Marty will make it disappear, magically.

Kevin Somers is a Hamilton writer.

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By Uncle Tom (anonymous) | Posted July 21, 2015 at 16:34:35

Well captured in detail and happy mood, the review is quite beautiful. I agree. It deserves bigger audiences, some of those numbers crowding into the shows with the buzz should turn away and get to HTI for some very basic happy-making fun.

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