“an undeniable talent who combines witty storytelling with mind-blowing magic”
****
In the wake of Fringe success ‘Fake’, a production Cook has brought back for a second year, this time to Gilded Balloon, ‘Heist’ is a follow-up that returns Cook to his more familiar grounds of The Voodoo Rooms.
We begin with stories of what matters to him, (his brother’s hand-made guitar and sticking it to the man with some harmless childhood shoplifting) manage to ground Heist in a comforting, relatable place. There’s magic to be found in the small acts of mischief we see in everyday life, and sometimes even on the news.
Using the pretense that we’re constructing a crack team of thieves, audience interaction combined with mind-blowing trickery makes for a delightful hour. Cook has a demonstrated ability to weave personal storytelling through a series of cheeky stunts, from sleight of hand and impressive misdirection to straight up conjuring and even a healthy dose of mind reading.
One thing is clear throughout: Chris Cook is annoying. In a good way. He’s a master at making you think you’ve caught him out, and more than once during Heist, myself and the rest of the audience were led to believe we’d outed him as a small-fry magician. Of course, this is all playing into his hand as he continues to pull the rug from under your feet.
Heist is a well-rounded showcase of Cook’s extensive magical toolkit. He’s unmistakably likeable, and even the most keen-eyed audience member will struggle to work out how he keeps you second-guessing reality. He takes clear joy in playing with the format, even revealing the method behind the magic, which, for the record, I’m still not convinced I believe. It all adds to the mystery.
Chris Cook is an undeniable talent who combines witty storytelling with mind-blowing magic. Catch him, (if you can) before he starts charging for tickets on the door.
Chis Cook. Heist: How to Steal a Masterpiece
Speakeasy at PBH’s Free Fringe @ Voodoo Rooms
8-30 Aug | 18:15 (1hr)
Chris Cook : Heist ****
Published on
Edinburgh Fringe 2026 
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