The Purple Rabbit returns for its second year at the Fringe with its aptly named follow-up: The Purple Rabbit Rides Again. The 70 minute magic variety show swaps out innocent for innuendo and keeps you entertained with its 5 star performers, each equipped with an arsenal of slight, trickery and mind-blowing skill.

This is the second year in a row that I’ve attended the Purple Rabbit, a risky move to revisit any magic show on the chance that you spoil the illusion or demystify yourself. Fortunately, The Purple Rabbit Rides Again offers enough new content to keep second-timers engaged, while keeping some of its original crowd pleasers that are sure to confuse and confound just as much on a rewatch. The biggest change is the replacement of Kerol, Purple Rabbit’s resident ‘mouth guy’, with Reuben Moreland who offers equal, if not more, entertainment with his sleight of hand and one-liners. The addition of Angie Sylvia to the team as the dancing, logic-defying pinup girl offers welcome moments of reprieve from the brain strain that comes with the other magicians. Just sit back and enjoy the spectacle.

I found that one addition actually subtracted from the show however, despite recognising it’s necessity. The use of a live camera feed to help viewers in the back seats see the table tricks and anything else that might be missed seems good in theory, but faltered in practice. The live feed had a slight lag to it which can make it easier to decipher the tricks happening on stage, it’s a quick way to de-immerse yourself, though it’s not used too often throughout the show thankfully.

The biggest highlight of the show is unsurprisingly Dom Chambers, who also has his own solo show performing in the Garden. His comedic timing, delivery and down-to-earth Aussie attitude is just what the show needs to make you realise that this isn’t a typical comedy show. His tricks, although the same as last year, made me just as confused and entertained, and his trick performed to Let it Go is still my favourite of the show.

Despite a few technical difficulties and even a beer spillage on stage, The Purple Rabbit Rides Again is an impressive feat of magic and mystery. Whether you’re a newcomer or thinking about round 2, the show offers non-stop entertainment that combines the old tricks you know and love with new tricks to keep you guessing.