Darcy Oake said people were either sceptics of magic or believers.

Firmly in the sceptics' camp, I was equipped with binoculars to ensure I literally didn't miss a trick. But I was still left completely baffled by just how the Canadian magician pulled off his acts throughout his Edge of Reality show.

The self-proclaimed 'world renowned illusionist', of Britain's Got Talent fame, was at York Barbican as part of his first UK tour and was welcomed onto the smoke-filled stage with applause. He clearly already had an army of fans.

Oake started the show with the dove act that wowed viewers during ITV1's 2014 talent series. While it was entertaining to see a good-looking man strike a match near a feather to 'magically' produce a white dove, I wanted to see something fresh.

Oake delivered, going on to perform impressive logic-bending tricks involving apparent mind-reading and sleight of hand techniques. There was lots of audience participation to keep it lively, and plenty of chat between each illusion, some obviously scripted and designed to be thought-provoking, with more light-hearted banter and personal anecdotes thrown in.

The first half ended on an uncomfortable cliffhanger, whether by fault or design, when Oake attempted a supposedly death-defying escape but remained in situ beneath a row of sharp blades as the countdown clock reached '0'. The knives came down. Assistants quickly pulled the curtain, the lights came on, and the interval started.

If it was a mishap, it was easily forgiven.

Oake, who had a relaxed stage presence, performed further satisfyingly, unfathomable illusions including disappearance acts.

Disappointingly, a levitation illusion was lost on me because of the dark stage and excessive use of smoke but Oake's final death-defying escapade, involving an open bear trap, a straitjacket and another 60-second countdown, won Oake a hard-earned standing ovation.

Nadia Jefferson-Brown