ALI COOK, North Yorkshire magician, comedian, television star and film actor, was on home turf last week as he warmed up for his Edinburgh Fringe run with two studio shows at Harrogate Theatre.

Some routines, some jokes, might never be done again, he said, at the outset of Thursday’s performance, as the night promised surprises not only for the audience but for Cook too.

He would learn what worked and what didn’t – as it turned out, the magic clicked better than the slightly forced comedy – and his desire to include plenty of audience participation always stood the chance of a face from the past popping up.

Step forward Donna, a childhood friend from his Bishop Thornton days, when he had first practised his magic tricks at home. “Long time, no see,” he said, still focusing on the task in hand.This is one of Cook’s prime assets, putting his audience assistants at ease, be it in a hypnosis routine or for card tricks where his sleight of hand dazzles.

Fear not, he has his own assistant for his recreation of the oldest (Indian) routine in the world, involving four piercing swords and a woman in a confined basket, and thankfully no-one has to assist him when he swallows half a dozen razor blades and regurgitates them on a piece of cotton.

The hour-long show will acquire more polish; the magical content already is a cut above his competitors.