Colin Cloud knows your embarrassing secret. He knows the surname of the friend you haven't seen in three months. He even knows what you had for lunch, and he's happy to announce it in front of a live audience in DARE.

As the audience enters the Pleasance Grand, we're each given a mask of Cloud's face and he appears on video asking us to post a selfie on social media so our friends can comment with a random word. Cynics might argue this is just free advertising (and it works, check out the #edfringe hashtag just after 8pm). But with magic often met with claims that participants are set up, this method allows people outside the show to also be involved, and for there to be a record of what words were chosen.

Cloud's speciality is mind reading and prediction, and during the show he successfully guesses professions, serial numbers on banknotes and pets' names, all the while keeping the audience engaged with his easy charm and confident stage presence. Guessing embarrassing secrets is particularly impressive, due to the level of detail he brings to the revelations. He moves quickly between routines and the fast pace means sometimes the cue to applaud is missed.

In a neat role reversal, Cloud teaches a member of the audience to be a mind reader, implanting in her mind the six digit code to his iPhone. In true showman style, he ends with a wickedly good finale, a homage to Sherlock Holmes, who would always hide in plain sight.

Pleasance Courtyard, until 27 Aug (not 15), 8pm, £12.50–£15 (£11–£13.50).