IN THE first of two magic shows this autumn at the Georgian, “time travelling Victorian duo” Morgan and West transported an enthralled audience back to a time of illusion, misdirection and good old fashioned sleight of hand.

Attired in waistcoats, cravats and tailcoats, these self-acclaimed “magicians, time travellers and all round spiffing chaps” bantered back and forth providing a packed house with plenty of laughs, seamlessly interwoven with their unique brand of chicanery.

With slick comic commentary Mr Morgan and Mr West gave intricate and complicated explanations for their splendidly simple tricks and mused philosophically about their chosen art form.

Willing victims were drawn from the audience and fully entered into the spirit of things on stage, providing a pleasant sense of intimacy and a particularly memorable evening for those selected.

From card tricks, disappearing bottles and miraculous costume changes to mind-reading and amazing mathematical feats, Morgan and West relied on little more than their sparkling repartee and some ubiquitous props.

Crepe bandages provided blindfolds, numbers were chalked up on a blackboard, water was decanted in and out of teacups and a clothes peg was used for Mr Morgan’s nose. The stage set was comfortably cluttered with several items of reproduction furniture – a bureau, some aspidistra stands, and a folding wooden dressing screen bearing framed portraits of the two performers.

It was refreshing to see "real" magic, conjured up without the assistance of any special effects or high-tech hocus-pocus, and delivered in traditional variety hall style.

This feelgood family show generously provided the kind of live entertainment that justifies venturing out on a cold autumn evening.

When the audience was prompted to “go wild with applause”, their compliance was clearly every bit as authentic as the show itself.

Christina McIntyre