After a hugely successful 2025 Edinburgh Fringe – earning five-star reviews, multiple sell-out performances and a Best Show of the Fringe nomination (MixUpTheatre.com) – Jamie Leonard returns with Blink of an Eye, a stylish, story-driven hour of comedy and magic. Blending sharp wit, astonishing sleight of hand and moments of quiet wonder, the show explores time, attention and the things we miss when we’re not really looking.
We caught up with Jamie ahead of the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe.
What can you tell me about your show?
Blink Of An Eye is a one-man magic show about how quickly life moves and how easy it is to miss the moments that matter. It blends comedy, storytelling, and powerful magic into something that feels fresh and different from a traditional magic show. It’s funny, a little nostalgic, and genuinely mind-blowing.
Blink Of An Eye is a one-man magic show about how quickly life moves and how easy it is to miss the moments that matter. It blends comedy, storytelling, and powerful magic into something that feels fresh and different from a traditional magic show. It’s funny, a little nostalgic, and genuinely mind-blowing.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
It’s a high impact magic show at its core, driven by storytelling and comedy. You’ll see impossible moments and mind reading, but they’re all tied into a bigger journey. It’s entertaining, surprising, and designed to properly mess with your head - in the best way..!
It’s a high impact magic show at its core, driven by storytelling and comedy. You’ll see impossible moments and mind reading, but they’re all tied into a bigger journey. It’s entertaining, surprising, and designed to properly mess with your head - in the best way..!
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
Realising that most of my favourite memories feel like they happened in a flash. That idea (that life can change in a blink) felt like something magic could express in a way words alone couldn’t.
Realising that most of my favourite memories feel like they happened in a flash. That idea (that life can change in a blink) felt like something magic could express in a way words alone couldn’t.
When did you realise that magic was a career path you'd like to explore?
When I noticed it was the one thing that consistently helped me connect with people. At school, magic wasn’t just a hobby - it was how I made friends. That feeling stuck.
When I noticed it was the one thing that consistently helped me connect with people. At school, magic wasn’t just a hobby - it was how I made friends. That feeling stuck.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
It feels like a moment where I’ve got enough distance from those early experiences to reflect on them properly - but I’m still close enough to remember how they felt. It’s the right balance of perspective and honesty.
It feels like a moment where I’ve got enough distance from those early experiences to reflect on them properly - but I’m still close enough to remember how they felt. It’s the right balance of perspective and honesty.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
Routine is everything. Sleep, decent food, and keeping my energy consistent across the run. Mentally, it’s about staying present - treating each audience like it’s the only one that matters and go into every show like it’s your first show.
Routine is everything. Sleep, decent food, and keeping my energy consistent across the run. Mentally, it’s about staying present - treating each audience like it’s the only one that matters and go into every show like it’s your first show.
If you couldn’t use a flyer to attract audiences, what ridiculous object would you hand out to people to get them into your show?
A tiny hourglass that runs out in about three seconds—with a note that just says “Don’t blink”
A tiny hourglass that runs out in about three seconds—with a note that just says “Don’t blink”
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without this month?
A notebook. It keeps the show evolving: new lines, little moments, audience interactions. The show never stops changing and improving really.
A notebook. It keeps the show evolving: new lines, little moments, audience interactions. The show never stops changing and improving really.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
An audience that leaves feeling something - not just impressed, but connected. If people walk out thinking about their own “blink of an eye” moments, that’s a win.
An audience that leaves feeling something - not just impressed, but connected. If people walk out thinking about their own “blink of an eye” moments, that’s a win.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
I’d definitely recommend seeing Colin Cloud: Hoax if you’re in the mood for more magic - after my show first, of course. Max Fulham is doing brilliant, hilarious stuff that feels really fresh, and Jason Byrne is always incredible live. Honestly, there are too many great shows to name however, come see mine first..!
I’d definitely recommend seeing Colin Cloud: Hoax if you’re in the mood for more magic - after my show first, of course. Max Fulham is doing brilliant, hilarious stuff that feels really fresh, and Jason Byrne is always incredible live. Honestly, there are too many great shows to name however, come see mine first..!
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Fast, funny, nostalgic, human, impossible.
Fast, funny, nostalgic, human, impossible.
What keeps you inspired?
Real people and real moments. The small things like conversations, coincidences, memories, are often more magical than anything on stage.
Real people and real moments. The small things like conversations, coincidences, memories, are often more magical than anything on stage.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
A reminder to slow down a bit. To notice things. And maybe to appreciate how strange and brilliant everyday life actually is.
A reminder to slow down a bit. To notice things. And maybe to appreciate how strange and brilliant everyday life actually is.
When and where can people see the show?
You can catch Jamie Leonard: Blink Of An Eye every day from 8th–30th August at Liquid Rooms at 12:30pm. It’s completely free and unticketed - just turn up, grab a seat, and be ready to have your mind blown.
You can catch Jamie Leonard: Blink Of An Eye every day from 8th–30th August at Liquid Rooms at 12:30pm. It’s completely free and unticketed - just turn up, grab a seat, and be ready to have your mind blown.
Tickets for Jamie Leonard: Blind Of An Eye are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jamie-leonard-blink-of-an-eye
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