The first very important point to note about this show is that it takes place at the Assembly HALL and not in George St where most of the other Assembly shows happen. And if you walk really fast you can get up the hill in ten minutes. I do these things so you don’t have to. Mind you,the number of latecomers makes me think I wasn’t the only person not looking too closely at the ticket. The second important point is it is a very hot room. It is also perhaps a bit too small and low ceilinged for a show where throwing playing cards is an important factor.
The host, Jav Jarquin, starts by explaining that he is a kiwi with Chinese and Latin American parents, which is probably something only possible in our globalised world. We get the story of his first two loves, of magic and ninjas, which have found an outlet in this show and, while demonstrating his skills with the throwing cards, we also get some stories of his youth and upbringing in Christchurch. Sadly one of his stories was interrupted by a mobile in the front row (for the second time and the same person), which added an extra note of hilarity to the show as this gentleman was a very large Scot but his ring/text tones were the gayest & pissiest you’ve ever heard.
Back to the show. Jav has devised a series of tests that are required to become a card ninja, and each test also has an extra element, as the ninja creed is ‘always go further’. After successfully completing each task the audience are encouraged to whisper ninja, which is pretty cool, I must admit. The card tricks are good and impressive and the banter is pretty funny and keeps the show moving along. There’s no ‘proper’ magic, thankfully, so I can definitely recommend this as an hour of things you can do (and may probably try later on) with a pack of playing cards. Ninjaaaaaa.
Visit the Edinburgh Fringe website for booking details