Jerry Sadowitz has two careers. In both, he tests the limits of what's acceptable. In comedy, he's wilfully contrary - his bad-taste jokes will always rub someone up the wrong way. Mention his name to his fellow magicians, though, and you'll hear gushing praise for his close-up work.
So how is it that a man of world-class talent is living in a small rented flat in north London, struggling to get bookings? Last year, he combined stand-up and close-up to boost his appeal - but the result was 'awful', he says, the switch from one discipline to another a wrench for performer and audience alike. Which is why he's split back in two for his Edinburgh shows - afternoon magic, midnight comedy.
But struggle is nothing new. After his first flush of success in the 1980s, he became so notorious for going OTT that nobody would hire him. Yet since then, he's had two Channel 5 shows - The People Versus Jerry Sadowitz and The Jerry Atrick Show. Has this exposure made life easier?
'No, my career is in such tatters that I don't know who comes to see me any more. Most people in showbusiness still seem to take great pride in denying my existence, and I find that very sad. When I come up to Edinburgh, I always feel pretty invisible.'
But surely Sadowitz - born in America, raised in Glasgow - has a real following in Scotland? 'There seems to be a loyalty here, and I'm extremely grateful. But that in itself is painful - you start to think: "I'd better do things that they like." And every time I try to out-think what an audience might want, I get myself into mental knots.'
He is an original. Almost pathologically so. He creates his own tricks and looks for jokes in forbidden areas. 'I don't see where there's a line to be drawn,' he says. 'If I compromise as a stand-up, why not go the whole way? Why not put on a tuxedo, comb my hair, just do good magic, tasteful comedy?' Success, it seems, can also be failure. 'I'd hate it if I did a show where everyone just loves everything and it's all cosy and nice. I'd just change my job.'
Until Sat, More Card Tricks And Close-Up Magic, The Smirnoff Underbelly, Edinburgh Central Library, George IV Bridge, 3.25pm, today until Thu £8.50, £7.50 concs, Fri and Sat £10, £9 concs.
Aug 19 and 20, Two Nights Only, Assembly Theatre, Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, midnight, £11.50.
