00:30 Cabaret O’Clock: Magic vs Burlesque is a new show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year. But among the thousands of shows running in the city this August, Magic vs Burlesque stands out for a love story that brought the show into being.
Burlesque dancer Fou Fou Kaboom and magician Arron Jones present this show. Two performing and producing powerhouses, they met at Edinburgh Fringe in 2022, said ‘I love you’ at Fringe 2023, and got engaged at Fringe 2025. Now they’re hoping to pay for their wedding at Fringe 2026.
It’s a PBH Free Fringe show, so tickets are just bucket donations — all will go directly into their wedding fund.
The Quintessential Review spoke to the happy couple ahead of the show.
What to Expect at Magic vs Burlesque
Can you tell our readers what to expect at your show?
First and foremost: expect to have a great time… we want every seat in the house soiled: because the audience was so turned on or because they laughed so hard they peed themselves. Expect to get involved with interactive games that will tangibly affect the future of our relationship — the ramifications of which will echo throughout our marriage.
A Fringe Love Story: How Fou Fou Kaboom and Arron Jones Met
It’s a very heartwarming story that you two have created and built your relationship over the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. You met, fell in love, and got engaged at Fringe festivals, and now you’re preparing for your wedding. How did you two meet?
We met in 2022 at Griffin & Jones’ legendary Lock-In Cabaret, which used to run at The Voodoo Rooms as a part of the PBH Free Fringe. We didn’t talk much before the show, as we were just in our own little worlds getting ready for the show. We both did a 5-minute act, and we loved each other’s performances, the comedy and the class! We got talking after the show then had a few drinks over the next few days, becoming friends for a year before starting to date in 2023.
First and foremost: expect to have a great time… we want every seat in the house soiled: because the audience was so turned on or because they laughed so hard they peed themselves.
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is known as a place that comes alive when artists from across the world come together to present their work. What do you think the effect is when this creative community comes together?
It’s pure inspiration! So many creative minds bubbling away in the melting pot of Fringe makes for one potent punch… and we can’t wait to get up there and take a slurp.
Romance and Inspiration in Edinburgh
Do you think Edinburgh is a romantic city?
Yes! For one, it’s so pretty! It’s a hilly city full of sexy curves. And what’s more romantic than sharing a tray of chips with salt and sauce?
Do you ever go to Edinburgh outside of the Fringe?
No, but we’d love to! We’re planning to come up for our mini-moon. It is such a privilege to get to live in this beautiful city for a month every year.
Team Tricks vs Team Tits: Bringing Magic and Burlesque Together
This is a battle between artforms: magic and burlesque. You’ve mentioned painting pictures with your pelvis and thumb wars. How else do you bring the competition element into the show?
The audience is going to be split into two teams, Team Tricks and Team Tits. And the whole show will come down to the room helping us decide which is better: tits or tricks. We will perform magic and burlesque to show our proficiency and give the audience a chance to enjoy the art forms before pitting them against each other for our own enjoyment.
Magicians and burlesque dancers have a few similarities as well as plenty of differences. Are you aiming to create any parallels between them during the show, or will it be a strict face-off?
There are many similarities between magic and burlesque: both use reveals, both tease the audience, and both create moments of tension and connection. But there are also some key differences; the magician usually keeps their clothes on, for example. Once the audience has seen the awesome potential of these two crafts for themselves, they will know exactly what they’re rooting for.
That being said, this is a half past midnight show, so the drinks will be flowing and the most important thing for us is creating hella good vibes! We’re also looking to bring back use of the word ‘hella’.
Backgrounds and Solo Career Highlights
How did you both get into performing?
Arron got into performing very young, always taking the stage at family parties, school shows and any opportunity to make himself the centre of attention. That carried on throughout his life and continues to this day.
Fou Fou was much more of a bookworm, preferring sci-fi novels over stage time. But after seeing a burlesque show 8 years ago, she was hooked: the sexiness, the silliness, the sparkles! She just knew she had to be a part of it.
How would you each describe your style of performing?
We both put comedy at the heart of what we do and thrive when bringing high-concept ideas to life. Music is also important for both of us, and drives how we create our art.
You’ve both had big career successes as solo artists. Fou Fou won Burlesque Idol, a burlesque competition in London, in 2022, and Arron appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2024. What other career highlights do you each have?
Arron’s big career highlight was his first ever Fringe solo show. A full house, a great show and the first glimmer of this career being a reality.
Fou Fou has been lucky enough to perform across the world, from a glamorous theatre in Australia to a garden centre in Surrey. But her favourite highlight is the first time someone she didn’t know came to a show specifically to see her.
There are many similarities between magic and burlesque: both use reveals, both tease the audience, and both create moments of tension and connection.
How often do you perform as a duo act?
We’ve performed on the same line-up as soloists numerous times. This Fringe will be the first time we are on stage together!
Funding the Wedding: Preparation and Taco Plans
How are you both preparing for this show?
Carbs.
You’re creating this show of magic and burlesque to raise money for your wedding. Do you have any wedding plans yet?
We have officially decided that we will be serving tacos… no other concrete plans but we think we’ve made excellent progress.
If you’re a romantic, or you just love watching magic, burlesque, or couples arguing, head to this show and help the lovebirds raise funds for their wedding.
As well as the takings from the bucket, Fou Fou and Arron have promised that any audience members willing to donate the low, low price of £1000 will receive an invite to the wedding of the century, including a plus one! They have no shame and weddings are f***ing expensive.
Featured Image: Fou Fou Kaboom & Aaron Jones
Show Details
Show: 00:30 Cabaret O’Clock: Magic vs Burlesque
Venue: 68b – Ballroom at PBH’s Free Fringe @ Voodoo Rooms
Dates: 9th – 31st August (excluding Tuesdays)
Time: 00:30 – 01:30
Tickets: Free (Bucket Donations) as part of PBH’s Free Fringe
Booking Link: Book via EdFringe.com
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