Morgan and West are bringing their signature blend of science and sleight of hand to the Pegasus Theatre this week; Daily Info sat down to chat with the pair about where fantastical and factual collide.
Daily Info: How did Morgan and West get started?
Morgan and West: About fifteen years ago Rob and I met whilst attempting to study for Physics and Chemistry degrees. Actually we were mostly stepping onto stage with a lot of student theatre productions and got on brilliantly. We both had a vague interest in magic and spurred each other on to do bigger and better things. Then we decided to start putting on magic shows together. Fast forward to 2019 and we decided to put our powers of performance to work for good, and for science!
DI: What sets Unbelievable Science apart from other magic shows?
M+W: In a magic show you get to display amazing feats and marvels to your audience, and then jealously keep the secrets for yourself. In Unbelievable Science we demonstrate seeming impossibilities, jaw dropping feats, huge spectacle, and then explain it all. Every little bit, showing everyone the ins and outs of what seems so difficult to comprehend. It's brilliant fun and great knowledge rolled into one.
DI: Your show combines classic prestidigitation with fun-filled lessons in biology, chemistry and physics - what do you think magic and science have in common?
M+W: It can be a tricky (if you'll forgive the pun) old line to tread - magic is out and out lying for fun whereas science is all about the search for as objective a truth as we can get to within our current limits and understanding. So in many ways they're not desperately well suited as bedfellows. They both often look like the impossible is being done, but it's all show. Perhaps that's what our science and our magic has in common - it's a great spectacle!
DI: Should a magician ever reveal their secrets?
M+W: A magician should not never reveal their secrets, but that's perhaps a confusing and separate thing. You have to ask, as a magician, what's the secret for? Is it for my own edification, or is it for the joy of others. If it's for others then it's worth keeping, whereas if it's for just yourself then perhaps not...
DI: Describe Unbelievable Science in five words.
M+W: Electrifying, hilarious, rational, truthful nonsense.
Catch Unbelievable Science at the Pegasus Theatre on the 4th and the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on the 13th.