Morgan and West (Salford)

Although this is only their first tour, Morgan & West are already attracting fans. The Lowry has a row full of people in 19th-century garb – corsets, waistcoats and fob watches. It is easy to see the appeal. The Time Travelling Magicians are the classic mismatched comedy duo. Rhys Morgan is full figured, tall and speaks clearly, while Robert West is slender, short and tends to gabble.

Unlike many magicians these days, the duo do not take themselves seriously, seeming to believe that it is not enough for a trick to succeed; it also has to be funny. This irreverent approach leads them to reveal, with the aid of an oblivious volunteer, the simple way in which a trick is constructed – before going on to baffle us all with a twist.

It is the apparent simplicity of the tricks that makes them so impressive. Soap bubbles transform, in mid air, into glass baubles, a ring vanishes only to reappear inside a tea bag, and an endless supply of red noses pour out of the traditional top hat. At times the tricks become surreal. West's attempt at escapology involves trying to slip out of handcuffs fashioned from balloons that, in the process, are transformed into a dog.

The show is presented in the style of the old time music hall. Every trick has a ridiculous tongue-twisting title and introductions are crammed with over-ripe phrases that occasionally need translation. The 19th-century props add considerable charm to the show. Instead of modern day aids such as video screens, the duo use index cards and an ear trumpet.

Morgan & West take an affectionate approach to their audience. There is no sense of bullying volunteers to the stage, but rather of gently securing their involvement. The result is a relaxed warm atmosphere in which you can simply enjoy a very fine show.

– Dave Cunningham