Fake ****

Fake is a fusion of theatre and magic, telling the little-known story of an art forger, interspersed with an entertaining series of magic tricks.

Han van Meegeren was an obscure Dutch artist, whose early attempts at making a living from his work were dismissed, even ridiculed, by critics. One noted that “he has every virtue except originality”. Stung by this, van Meegeren set out to exact his revenge.

Over the course of five years, he painstakingly created a ‘Vermeer’ painting. This involved purchasing 17^th century canvasses, using authentic raw materials and baking the work in an oven, its cracks resembling the natural ageing process of an old painting. He sold his eventual creation - The Supper at Emmaus – to the Rembrandt Society for half a million guilders, the equivalent of nearly £4 million today.

Financially secure, he decided to continue to produce fakes. Christ with the Adulteress nearly cost him his life. When the Netherlands was occupied by the Nazis during World War II, his agent sold the painting to a Nazi art dealer, which fell into the hands of Hermann Göring. After the war had drawn to an end, van Meegeren was arrested for collaboration. Facing the prospect of execution, he came clean, and the extraordinary extent of his forgeries came to light.

Cook skilfully weaves between recounting van Meegeren’s story and performing a series of magic tricks. These include card tricks, rings, catching the bullet and mind-reading.

He is an accomplished magician and engaging storyteller, adeptly bringing the audience into the fascinating world of art forgery. An entertaining and well-crafted hour at the Fringe.

Gilded Balloon Teviot (Bristo Square), until 31^st August.