Reviews

<a href=”http://edinburgh.threeweeks.co.uk/review/10162&srch=The+I+Hate+Children+Childrens+Show”>Three Weeks Editors Pick</a>

First a confession: the jaded cynicism expressed in this show’s title may have resonated with me a little too much prior to viewing. Nevertheless, it is now with confident objectivity that I attest to the genuine all round wonderfulness of this comedic show! Magician Paul Nathan exudes unpretentious charisma by the bucket load and, assisted by his equally personable sidekick Al, each and every child is invited to partake in at least one of his mesmerising magic tricks. Sharp and full of dry humour, Nathan unashamedly indulges in a spot of playful child-mockery – something which can evoke an initial sense of audience shock. It is not long, however, before shock morphs into laughter from all corners. Cannot recommend enough!

Three Weeks Rating: 5/5

Published: Aug-2010

<a href=”http://www.fringereview.co.uk/fringeReview/4140.html” title=”Fringe Review – Edinburgh’s best children’s show”>Fringe Review</a>

Low Down: Not only a magician, but also a king of witty banter, Paul Nathan along with musician John Anaya spend 45 minutes ‘wowing the crowd’ incorporating every child in the audience (a promise he keeps), and reducing everyone to tears … of laughter!

Review

True or not, the suggestion by Paul Nathan that he is only performing a children’s show at the Edinburgh Fringe because he lost a bet, creates the comic tone that continues throughout this magic show.

Whilst he claims in his title to actually hate children, his intention, according to his website, is that everyone is a star in his show. This he achieves easily as he ensures that each child in the audience is included at least once, assisting him on stage, and having their photo taken with him, so that no-one goes home disappointed.

I would find it hard to believe that any of the adults would go home disappointed either. Nathan’s casual repartee had everyone laughing continuously … I was reduced to tears! The teamwork and banter between Nathan and musician John Anaya, meant that you were absorbed every moment from beginning to end. Anaya’s ease and skill on the guitar is another element in this show that is possibly appreciated more by the adults than the children … but I think that is probably intentional!

This show is not scripted … it is purely a live magic show for children (and their adults), with a pre-set number of tricks and illusions that he uses in no particular order … but the skill and expertise of these well-seasoned performers, along with elements of comedy and live music, guarantees a thoroughly engaging and outstanding performance every time.

Five stars: Outstanding

Reviewed by Alison Pollard-Mansergh7 August 2011

Fringe Guru

Despite the promising title, there’s little evidence that Paul Nathan hates children. In fact, with his up-close demonstrations of some genuinely impressive magical illusions involving every willing child in the audience at some point, you sense that he might secretly quite like making them laugh.

He does this in spades, but has to overcome some resistance: the cynical children of Edinburgh aren’t going to let a magician off the hook lightly. Nathan is actually at his best, I think, when dealing with the surly kids who think they know it all. It’s surprisingly good fun to watch them fall for his bait, gleefully pointing out the magic-man’s shortcomings as they think they’ve figured it all out, and then looking equal-parts crestfallen and delighted when he leaves them stumped with a mystifying elaboration of the earlier simple trick.

The I Hate Children Children’s Show has an interactive element through its own website, which has the unusual but well-intentioned practice of posting photos of Nathan on-stage with his young apprentices. The concept is that of a show which is fun for children and hilarious for adults. My feeling was that the second objective was only partially successful: Nathan’s banter worked well enough, but the most enjoyable moments for parents seemed to be watching their own children being bamboozled.

As part of a recent resurgence of stage musicians, which seems particularly pronounced in the Fringe program this year, Paul Nathan’s show performs a useful double function: an amusing, interactive and “safe” entertainment for kids, that does just enough to keep the adults happy throughout.

Three Weeks Rating: 5/5

Published: Aug-2010

Edinburgh Spotlight

Even before you enter the show, the Bad Magician (also known as Paul Nathan) is outside, welcoming you to his lair, whip in hand. He greets his audience with high fives, and you get the feeling that he’s really glad to have you there. His assistant, John, plays electric guitar throughout, and provides an edgy background to the tricks at hand.

For all the children in the audience, there’s a promise, which is fulfilled in due course, to get everyone up on stage to help with some of the magic tricks – but if you don’t want to go, that’s ok too.

The Bad Magician says that he’s doing this show because he lost a bet, and the penalty was to do a children’s show in Edinburgh for a month.

Although the title suggests that he hates children, Paul is very good with them, and you suspect that he’s just a bit too kind and humorous to really live up to the title of the show. Of our audience, only a couple of kids didn’t want to be in the spotlight, and all who did participate were photographed for Paul’s ‘wall of fame’ on his website.

The magic tricks are superbly executed, and the children entranced throughout, even the most skeptical who know how the tricks work are happy to see them carried out with such wit and vigor.

Our junior reviewers participated in a card trick and a coloring book trick and enjoyed the thrill of being on stage.

The children in the audience ranged from around 5 – 14 and this seemed exactly fitting for the fun on offer, although recommended age range in the program is “suitable for 8+”.

For adults who want to see more, there’s an adult show too: Devil in The Deck (<a href=”http://www.devilinthedeck.com/” target=”_blank”>http://www.devilinthedeck.com/</a>)

Added comments by Helen (13): “Really funny and fun for all ages. Favorite trick was the ribbon round the neck trick – how do they do that?”

Added comments by Alex (9): “I liked it a lot and it was very good because the man tried to get every child who was there up on stage. The people who didn’t want to be on weren’t forced, which was very nice of him. My favorite trick was when he did the disappearing cloth trick – I couldn’t see how it was done. I bought some magic cards from him afterwards, so I can show you a trick – would you like to see?”

This review was from our performance at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2011