Don't think of blokes in capes pulling bunnies from hot hats, modern magic is so much slicker, trickier and more complex than that. Edinburgh Fringe is the perfect place to see an array of styles and performers so we've selected our pick of the mind readers, card manipulators and illusionists looking to amaze you this August. Be warned, it's a bit of a wand fest. Where are the ladies of magic?

Aaron Calvert: Awaken

Following Calvert's last Fringe he landed a TV deal with Channel 4 and has just filmed the pilot of his own series, which will air on E4 later this year. This new show, Awaken, is a mix of mind reading and hypnotic feats.
Aaron Calvert: Awaken, La Belle Angèle, Fri 5–Sun 27 Aug, 1.30pm

At The Illusionist's Table

A truly intimate show for a table of twelve. Illusionist Scott Silven plays host in the lavish setting of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Enjoy a three-course meal and whisky as Silven dazzles with illusions, mind reading and storytelling.
At The Illusionist's Table, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 4-27 Aug (not 7,14, 19, 21), 7pm, £69

Caspar Thomas: More Magic and Mentalism

Thomas pays tribute to magicians of the last 120 years with a series of classic sleight of hand tricks and mentalism, as well as some new tricks to add to the magic canon. He's a hard worker too, with two shows times available.
Caspar Thomas: More Magic and Mentalism, Bourbon Bar, Fri 5–Sun 27 Aug (not 15), 6.30pm; La Belle Angèle, 6–7, 9–10, 22–24 & 27 Aug, 9.45pm.

Chris Dugdale: Up Close!

Judging by his show blurb, Dugdale is magician to the stars, with quotes from Sir Richard Branson, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and the Queen. Up Close! is an intimate show of card tricks and mind control from the New York magician.
Chris Dugdale: Up Close!, Assembly Rooms, Wed 3–Sun 27 Aug, 7.10pm

Ben Hart: Belief?

Ben Hart returns for this third Fringe to premiere Belief?. Hart is one of the performers in Impossible, a live magic spectacular that has played two consecutive years in London's West End, and has starred in BBC series Killer Magic, Now You See It and his solo show, Life Hacks Hoax. Expect tall tales, sleight of hand and mad inventions.
Ben Hart: Belief?, Gilded Balloon Teviot, Tue 2–Sun 27 Aug, 5.45pm

Colin Cloud: Dare

Following three years of sell out shows the charismatic Cloud is back with a show deducing the audience's most intimate thoughts. You think you've picked the most obscure fact possible but Cloud knows, and he's going to tell everyone.
Colin Cloud: Dare, Pleasance Courtyard, Wed 2–Sat 26 Aug (not 15)

Kevin Quantum: Anti-Gravity

Quantum has been tutored by the legendary American magicians Penn & Teller. This August the magician, scientist and director of Edinburgh International Magic Festival presents a new show, where the rules of gravity are bend and broken as he explores the exotic space where science and magic meet. For a more comedy-based show check out his And For My Next Trick.
Kevin Quantum: Anti-Gravity, Gilded Balloon Teviot, Tue 2–Sun 27 Aug (not 3 or 14), 4.30pm

The Naked Magicians

Magic with an age limit: only over 18s get to witness these full frontal illusions from the Australian pair. Nothing like a bit of nudity to misdirect the audience.
The Naked Magicians, Assembly Rooms, Thu 10–Sun 27 Aug (not 14 or 21), 9.45pm

Peter & Bambi Heaven: When Love Becomes Magic

Could Peter & Bambi Heaven, real life couple Asher Treleaven and Gypsy Wood, be the only dancing magicians at the Fringe? The Aussie pair follow 2016's success The Magic Inside with When Love Becomes Magic, a high energy show about two cheesy cruise ship-style entertainers.
Peter & Bambi Heaven: When Love Becomes Magic, Assembly George Square Gardens, Wed 3–Sun 27 Aug (not 14), 10.35pm

Piff the Magic Dragon: The Road to Piffland

Piff's got a Las Vegas residency these days so is only in Edinburgh for a week this year. Expect new jokes, new tricks and the same cute dog, Mr Piffles, in The Road to Piffland. Keep an eye on the dog, he's previously levitated in Piff's shows.
Piff the Magic Dragon: The Road to Piffland, New Town Theatre, Tue 22–Sun 27 Aug, 7.20pm.

SNAP

Returning for a second year, SNAP brings together eight leading illusion artists from South Korea. When three tricksters find a sealed door they encounter a fantasy world populated by enthralling characters such as the Alchemist and the Florist. With costumes, sets and props this is high production magic that's beautiful to witness.
SNAP, Assembly George Square Theatre, Wed 3–Mon 28 Aug (not 14 or 21), 3pm