Showing posts with label # interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label # interview. Show all posts

27 March 2024

Canada's Got Talent: Getting to know Mark Lewis

Next in our series of short interviews with some of the magic acts listed in the March 5th Canada's Got Talent media release is Mark Lewis!
 

You may already know that Mark:



We're delighted that Mark made time to answer our questions ahead of his April 2nd appearance on the 2024 season of Canada's Got Talent!

 

 

Who inspires you that is not a magician?
 
Nobody really! Or maybe there is but I can't think of any right now!
 
What is your first memory of magic? 

I was nearly 13 years old and went into a library and saw a book on magic. I took it out on loan and that started the whole thing off and it has lasted 66 years!

 


Who from the magic community inspires you?

Nobody really! I think the best magicians are all dead!  In other words there are many, many magicians from the past that inspired me. David Nixon in the UK certainly did. As did David Berglas, Harry Lorayne, Tommy Cooper, Paul Potassy and many, many more! However, I can't think of anybody alive that does! That is probably a sign that I am an old misery born in the age of the dinosaur!

 

Was there anyone or anything instrumental to you becoming a magician?

No. I was completely self taught from books. I never met a magician for the first two years of my studies and I thank God every day for it! I think I went downhill very slowly after that! 






Mark Lewis

📸 : CGT




Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting magic?  
 
I have never even for a single second thought about quitting magic. I have devoted my life to the art.

Do you have any tour or pre-show rituals you’d be willing to share with our readers?
 
Not really. I do know the great Howard Thurston used to jump up and down before going on stage saying, "I love my audience! I love my audience!" Of course he had never worked the working men's clubs of Northern England or to drunks in the middle of the night in London night clubs like I have!




 
Why is now the right time for you to be a part of Canada's Got Talent?
 
Because I am 79 years old and nearly dead! I don't think they accept applications from the spirit world so I better do it now while I am still above ground!



 
 
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
 
Not really. I have probably said too much as it is! 

 

 

Thank you Mark, for making the time to answer our questions!  Break a leg on CGT!


Learn more about Mark at his website MarkLewisMagic.com and follow him on Facebook and YouTube.

 
 
 
Watch Canada's Got Talent Tuesdays on CityTV.

 

 

 

 

25 March 2024

Canada's Got Talent: Getting to know Vincenzo Ravina

Next in our series of short interviews with some of the magic acts listed in the March 5th Canada's Got Talent media release is Vincenzo Ravina!
 

You may already know that Vincenzo:



We're delighted that Vincenzo made time to answer our questions! 

 

Who inspires you that is not a magician?
 
I'm inspired by Wes Anderson, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Lemony Snicket, David Lynch, the Muppets, and Fiona Apple. And I'm inspired by TV shows like The Twilight Zone, LOST, and Taskmaster. I'm inspired by events like the theft of the Mona Lisa.
 
What is your first memory of magic? 

I'm not sure how old I would have been, but my earliest memories of magic are of a family friend making a coin vanish and reappear inside several small nesting boxes with rubber bands wrapped all around, and of my family regularly going to a restaurant in Halifax where a magician named Dave Moon would perform. He had a long, white beard, and wore purple robes and a tall pointy hat. I loved the feeling of watching his magic and I wanted to share that feeling with others.
 


 

Who from the magic community inspires you?

I am regularly inspired by the magicians in my local club, the Halifax Magic Club. They have made my work so much better with their feedback and ideas. 

In the broader magic community, there's too many... I love Charlie Caper, Penn & Teller, Zabrecky, Carisa Hendrix, Morgan & West, Ben Hart, Joshua Jay, Derek DelGaudio, Mac King, Piff the Magic Dragon, Andy at The Jerx, and the two big Davids (Copperfield and Blaine). I've learned something important from every single one of these folks and I'm definitely forgetting others.

 

Was there anyone or anything instrumental to you becoming a magician?

Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic was a treasure trove of knowledge which I'm still using today, and a subscription box service called Magic University started me off with a lot of props, which I used a lot when I was doing shows as a kid. 




Vincenzo Ravina

📸 : CGT



Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting magic?  
 
I think like a lot of magicians, I learned magic in my youth, and then at a certain point, I drifted away from it and didn't do magic for some years. I got tired of birthday parties and I started thinking magic was uncool in high school. I also got to thinking that magic couldn't be a career or creatively fulfilling, for some reason. So I focused on creative writing and journalism. But Rod Doiron, who was the president of the Halifax Magic Club at the time, reached out to me in 2009 and invited me to come to a meeting. I started going regularly and I got back into magic again. At first, as a hobby. And then I realized that pretty much anything I want to do creatively, I could do through magic. So I started going to open mics and developing new routines and material and got one of my pieces onto Penn & Teller: Fool Us. Since then I've been regularly performing my show, Actual Wizard, at different venues and theatres in Nova Scotia, and writing a new show every year for the Halifax Fringe Festival.

Do you have any tour or pre-show rituals you’d be willing to share with our readers?
 
A lot of magicians like to pack small and play big. Me, I pack pretty big. So the majority of my pre-show ritual is just setting up my tables, lights, sound, props, hanging strings from the ceiling, putting programmes on seats, checking and double-checking my lists, going over cues, greeting people as they arrive, etc. and then suddenly it's time to perform. I always feel like I'm planning a surprise party or wrapping a gift when I'm setting up my show. I'm excited to surprise people.

Those rare times when I have time between setting up and performing, I will think about Joshua Jay's pre-show mantras "Tonight is part of the process. Perform like it's the first time and the last time. Enjoy the show," and I will think about how appreciative and privileged I am that people have bought tickets and have taken time out of their lives to come see me.



 
 
Why is now the right time for you to be a part of Canada's Got Talent?
 
When I performed on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, I was basically going directly from open mics to onstage in Vegas in front of a huge audience and celebrities, so I was not entirely at ease. Now is the right time for me to be a part of Canada's Got Talent because I feel more comfortable with my character and my performance than I've ever felt. I created the piece that I brought to my audition at CGT four years ago and I've performed it in nearly every show I've done in that time. It has grown, changed, and evolved into what I think is a quite good piece of magic, so I was eager to share it with the judges, the live audience, and the rest of Canada.


 
 
 
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
 
If you're in Nova Scotia or visiting, come out to one of my shows! I try to have one or two public shows every month and tickets are available at ActualWizard.ca

 

 

Thank you Vincenzo, for making the time to answer our questions!  Break a leg on CGT!


Learn more about Vincenzo at his website ActualWizard.ca and follow him on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

 
 
 
Watch Canada's Got Talent Tuesdays on CityTV.

 

 

 

 

22 March 2024

Canada's Got Talent: Getting to know Bao Hoang

Third in our series of short interviews with some of the magic acts listed in the March 5th Canada's Got Talent media release is Bao Hoang!
 

You may already know that Bao:

  • has over 21k followers on Instagram, 170k on TikTok, and 170k on YouTube,
  • was named "Creator on the Rise" by YouTube Canada, and
  • is the founder of the BaoBao Restaurant Playing Cards brand.



We're delighted that Bao made time to answer our questions! 

 

Who inspires you that is not a magician?
 
Eric Decker, aka Airrack, is another inspiration from the YouTube space (yes, I get inspired a lot by YouTubers). I saw Eric grow from a small channel to reach his goal of getting 1 million YouTube subscribers within only a year. His determination to reach his goals, whacky, out-of-the-box ideas, and skill in keeping viewers hooked have deeply influenced my approach to video making and magic. His influence significantly shaped how I designed my act for "Canada's Got Talent." It was crucial for me to ensure that the act wasn't just impressive in its magic but also tailored for success on YouTube. I aimed to create moments within the act that could be captured in a captivating thumbnail and crafted a premise that was clear and engaging, with the potential to go viral. Airrack’s blend of entertainment, storytelling, and audience engagement has reshaped how I view content creation and performance, teaching me the importance of creativity, perseverance, and strategic presentation in achieving success.
 
What is your first memory of magic? 

I was 4 years old when my classmate’s father performed a magic show for my kindergarten group. I remember him making a toy dinosaur appear from an empty box, then making candies appear from that same box.
 



Who from the magic community inspires you?

As a YouTuber myself, Chris Ramsay has been an enormous inspiration. He makes magic and puzzle-solving videos that go insanely viral on YouTube all the time. Even Tom Holland watches his videos. Chris has inspired me because he showed me that it was possible to make a living performing magic on the internet. If I hadn’t started making YouTube videos and seeing the positive feedback from my online community, I’m not sure when I would have found the confidence to leave my day job and make a career out of magic.
 


Was there anyone or anything instrumental to you becoming a magician?

During my teenage years, my mom would drive me every Saturday to visit the Spectram magic shop in Montreal (which unfortunately had to close down because of the pandemic). But the real magic happened downstairs in their basement where they had this magic school, MagieStrale. That’s where I met Yannick Lacroix, my magic teacher. He was the one who taught me all the fundamentals of magic and it was his guidance that steered me into exploring coin magic, which can be technically very difficult. He told me that mastery in coin magic could enhance my proficiency in all other magic manipulation techniques... and he was right!





XXXXX

📸 : CGT




Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting magic?  
 
I never completely dropped magic, but there was a time when it sort of took a backseat. That happened when I dove headfirst into my "real job" in marketing, thinking that was going to be my lifelong career. But, you know, I think it's totally fine to wander off, try out different hobbies, and pick up new skills. Then, you bring all that experience and inspiration back into your magic. I’m a firm believer that to really grow as an artist, you need to soak up life beyond the magic scene.

Do you have any tour or pre-show rituals you’d be willing to share with our readers?
 
It’s not really a ritual, but I always stay hydrated and do finger-stretching exercises before performing them. I also have to make sure to eat ahead of time because I have absolutely zero appetite within hours leading up to the performance!



 
Why is now the right time for you to be a part of Canada's Got Talent?
 
I just quit my day job in marketing to go all-in and pursue magic. Canada’s Got Talent is an opportunity to prove myself that I made the right decision. While it’s scary, you only grow if you step out of your comfort zone!


 
 
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
 
I’ve always been an introvert, and magic has played a big role in helping me get out of my comfort zone.I hope that my journey can inspire introverts to put themselves out there and take risks. It won’t be easy, but it’s 1000% worth it!

 

Thank you Bao, for making the time to answer our questions!  Break a leg on CGT!


Learn more about Bao at his website BaoMagic.com and follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

 
 
 
Watch Canada's Got Talent Tuesdays on CityTV.

 

 

 

 

20 March 2024

Canada's Got Talent: Getting to know Jeff Newman

Next in our series of short interviews with some of the magic acts listed in the March 5th Canada's Got Talent media release is Jeff Newman!
 

You may already know that Jeff:

  • Presented his show MIND GAMES: Brain-Bending Magic at the 33rd annual Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, and
  • In addition to mentalism and magic, Jeff has is also an actor and improviser.


We're delighted that Jeff made time to answer our questions! 

 

Who inspires you that is not a magician?
 
My biggest inspiration comes from the people around me. My wife is my creative other half, and she’s been a major influence on my performances and making magic my full-time job. Along the way, though, I’ve had plenty of others…Family and friends have supported me in pursuing my passion, especially when I’ve hit some roadblocks. I’ve had teachers and professors who taught me the importance of education and that I should never stop learning. There are coaches and teammates from my days as an athlete who taught me work ethic and how to rely on others. So many people in my life have helped me become what I am today, and they still inspire me to keep doing my best and chasing my dreams.
 
What is your first memory of magic? 

My first memory of magic was watching The World’s Greatest Magic when I was about 6 or 7. The performances were all great, but what really hooked me were the interactive pieces that taught magic, or magic you did yourself through the television screen. By the next day, I was driving my family insane, asking them to “pick a card!” over and over again.
 


Who from the magic community inspires you?

There are so many…I primarily perform as a mentalist, so that’s where I get most of my inspiration from. I love work from Marc Paul, Luke Jermay, Andy Nyman, Bob Cassidy, Richard Wiseman, Derren Brown…and of course, Corinda and Annemann. I’ve taken little pieces from all of them and more to put together my act over the years.
 


Was there anyone or anything instrumental to you becoming a magician?

Even though I discovered magic early in life, I actually came to learning and performing it late; it wasn’t until university (following an injury that ended my athletic career) that I started seriously developing my skills.

My biggest gateway into magic was actually Brian Brushwood and Scam School. It was the perfect way to learn and develop the social and psychological skills for a beginner magician. I got into mentalism pretty quickly, so I searched for other creators there that I jived with (see my inspirations above), and their work created the foundation for my own.

Wes Barker was also a huge part of my career taking off. Early in my career, I opened for him at a small show over a decade ago. He was the first working pro I ever met and has been someone I can turn to, appreciate, and share a beer with ever since.

But I’d say my wife has had the biggest influence on my career. She introduced me to theatre (we met when she cast me in a university play) and taught me how to perform magic instead of just tricks. In fact, my wife and her support convinced me to pursue magic full-time. Over the years, she’s been my co-creator, director, stage manager, assistant, voice of reason, and wrangler. She’s been with me through it all.
.



Jeff Newman

📸 : CGT



Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting magic?  
 
OOOOH, yeah, so many times. I’ve been performing professionally for over a decade, and I’ve taken a lot of lumps along the way. Working as a full-time magician is hard and can be discouraging sometimes. I’ve had all…I’ve bombed at shows, I’ve been broke, I’ve had bad reviews, I’ve struggled with creating magic…all of it. And while those struggles can seem daunting, the thing that has kept me going has been passion.

I love what I do. I love stepping out on stage and seeing the crowd. I love hearing the laughs, and the gasps, and cheers, and the applause. I love performing magic and creating little pockets of wonder for people in their everyday lives. I love learning magic and all the little clever things that gives my brain the workout that only magic can do. I love what magic has given me…I’ve made incredible friends, had amazing experiences, and built a career all because I’m lucky enough to have found passion in magic. It’s truly the best job in the world, and it’s made all of those obstacles in the past worth it.

Do you have any tour or pre-show rituals you’d be willing to share with our readers?
 
Warm-ups. They’re a standard. For me, performing is a lot like playing sports. You need to warm up before you play.

I start with some light physical things…little hops, torso twists, arm circles, neck rolls, and stuff like that. It gets the blood pumping and gets me moving. Then, some basic vocal warm-ups…breath work, practicing projection, tongue twisters. Basically, getting my body ready to perform!

There’s also the pre-show check. I’m absolutely neurotic about my show set up. It gets put up in a particular order and probably checked and re-checked a gazillion times before I start. It may seem a little crazy, but it helps put me at ease before the show, knowing that everything is where it should be.



 
Why is now the right time for you to be a part of Canada's Got Talent?
 
I think it’s the culmination of all my hard work over the years. I started from humble beginnings and overcame a lot to get where I am today. It’s a chance to show the magic community and the world that all the effort I’ve put into my magic career has given me something to offer: that I’m meant to be a magician. I finally have the chance to share my passion for performing on a world stage, and I’ve persevered through all of the obstacles along the way to live my dream as a full-time performer. To me, being on CGT is proof that I’m where I’m meant to be.


 
 
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
 
Do it because you love it, and learn everything. If you perform magic as a hobby, a full-time job, or something in between, let your passion drive you and learn everything you can to make you better. If you want to learn to perform better, find a director or a coach and perform as much as possible. If you want to perform professionally, learn how to build a business. If you want to create incredible magic, dive into as many books, DVD’s and lectures as possible to inspire you. This will look different for everybody, but if you love magic, if it’s your passion…let it guide you and learn everything you can along the way!

 

 

Thank you Jeff, for making the time to answer our questions!  Break a leg on CGT!


Learn more about Jeff at his website NewmanMentalism.com and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

 
 
 
Watch Canada's Got Talent Tuesdays on CityTV.

 

 

 

 

18 March 2024

Canada's Got Talent: Getting to know Mark Clearview

On March 10th we shared with you that this season of Canada's Got Talent boasts nine Canadian magic acts. 

We are delighted to have the opportunity to do short interviews with some of the acts.  Kicking off the series is Mark Clearview!
 

You may already know that Mark:



We're delighted that Mark made time to answer our questions ahead of his appearance tomorrow on the premiere of the 2024 season of Canada's Got Talent!

 

Who inspires you that is not a magician?
 
Andy Kaufman. Most car salesmen. It's gotta be hard to sell cars.
 
What is your first memory of magic? 

I had the Wacky Wizard at my third birthday party. I don't remember it but I'm sure he was great. 4th birthday I had Mr. Oh (Owen Anderson) and I remember that a bit more. I've been doing magic since three, so longer than I can recall to memory. But many trips to Browser's Den Magic shop are cemented in my mind! Thanks Jeffs!
 


Who from the magic community inspires you?

At large? Penn & Teller, Mac King, Tom Mullica, The Amazing Jonathan. In my immediate community? Scott Hammell, Nick Wallace, Paige Thompson, my dad.
 

Was there anyone or anything instrumental to you becoming a magician?

Oh plenty! The book "Magic and Showmanship" changed some things for me. Derren Brown's "Notes from a Fellow Traveler" did a lot for my onstage persona. The aforementioned Browser's Den. Sorcerers Safari Magic camp. Couldn't of done anything without my mentor Scott Hammell. My father built my props. My mother supported me. She still does! She's actually typing this out for me. No don't write that. Stop it.



Mark Clearview

📸 : CGT


Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting magic?  
 
One time in 2020 the world ended for two long years. Before that I was a kid who was cranky and tired of it. Why didn't I quit? I can't. I've tried! This is an affliction and part of my chemical makeup. It's impossible to stop. Magic is all I know.

Do you have any tour or pre-show rituals you’d be willing to share with our readers?
 
I eat an entire bag of Funions.


 
Why is now the right time for you to be a part of Canada's Got Talent?
 
Because I wasn't on last season.

 
 
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
 
If you give up, or stop following your dreams, I will find you and I will make you suffer.

 

 

Thank you Mark for making the time to answer our questions!  Break a leg on CGT!


Learn more about Mark at his website MarkClearview.com and follow him on Instagram and YouTube.

 
 
Canada's Got Talent premieres March 19th on CityTV.

 

Watch a sneak peek here:  
 
 
 

 

 

09 February 2024

A peek behind the curtain with Richard Young [2023]*

This is the sixth and last in a series of interviews leading up to the Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour dates in Western Canada:

Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.

 

* Regular readers of the blog may know that there's typically an elapsed time of weeks to months between us completing an interview and having it published.  Case in point.  Due in part to our densely packed December content calendar, we've held Richard's interview (which belongs to our 2023 series of Champions cast interviews that started last October) until now, ahead the Western Canada leg of their tour. 


Read our thoughts about their 2023 show in Toronto:

TLDR: So. Much. Fun!

Random thoughts about "Champions of Magic" 

 

In addition to Champions of Magic you may also know Richard Young through: 



We're delighted to interview Richard ahead of his Western Canadian Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour dates!


A peek behind the curtain with Richard Young



Do you remember the specific moment when you knew you could or wanted to perform magic full time?

September 17th 1995 when I saw David Copperfield’s show in Birmingham in the U.K. My Dad often tells the story that on the drive home that night I asked him if it would be at all possible for me to do something like that as a job when I grew up.
 
 
 
 
 
Have you studied anything magic-adjacent (eg. theatre, voice, musical instrument, acting, dance, art, movement, or photography)? 

I haven’t and I really wish I had. If I was to give any younger magician some advice it would be to go and learn all this stuff. It seems like a lot of fun and would have helped me so much over the years.
 
 


Richard Young listening to Sam Strange

Richard Young listening to Sam Strange
 
 
 
 
 
After seeing a recent Champions performance in Toronto, one of our readers thought they spotted a small but meaningful detail in the show, that you may have included as an homage to David Copperfield.  Is this an intentional 'Easter egg'?

I was thrilled someone spotted it. Absolutely. It’s supposed to showcase that I’m living my childhood dream in his shows following my tribute to him 15 minutes earlier.
 

 
 
 
The Champions show order changes from time to time, based on the constraints of the venue and the health of the performers.  We imagine that sometimes muscle memory reverts to the show order you do most often.   How do you and the rest of the cast and crew remind yourselves of set deviations?

In 2021 we were developing a lot of new material and the show was changing almost every night. It was stressful and frankly impossible to stay on top of. We have stage prompts printed on the stage floor and other similar techniques. I remember there was one night where I got the show order wrong, it happened to be on a night when there was no sound relay backstage and as I walked towards the stage I saw a scene playing out on the stage I was supposed to be in, without me in it!  
 

 


What's your go-to time filler if the crew needs you to stall for more time than "hands"++ provides?


We really do just have ‘hands’ to save some time. Anything needing more than that will be a show stop. We have only had a few of those over the years. Although it’s nice if you can fill a mistake or buy some time without the audiences noticing, a show stop is nothing to be embarrassed about, I’ve seen West End shows in London with show stops and as an audience member you appreciate they are stopping because they want you to see the best possible show rather than some sort of bodge job attempt to wrangle through. If you do hundreds of shows, there’s no way to avoid it. Eventually you’ll need to stop and restart.    

++ To learn more about "hands" have a listen to Episode 127 of Through the Magic of Television with host Alex McAleer, on Magicians' Podcast Network (Apple Podcasts link).
 
 
 




Richard Young, Champion of Magic

Richard Young, Champion of Magic

 




Do you have any guilty pleasures while on tour?

When we are touring I really miss British chocolate but honestly it’s probably good I can’t access it, keeping weight off while touring I find basically impossible. I don’t watch things, I tend to just find my head is completely immersed in what we are doing.
One imagines that it’s sometimes hard to leave the comforts of your home for a lengthy tour.  Do you bring a special something from home with you? 

I do indeed have a little mascot who travels with me. He’s a stuffed toy raccoon called Rufus, my girlfriend bought him for me when we visited a national park in Tucson, Arizona together. Unfortunately Rufus accidentally forgot to get inside my suitcase when I left a hotel in Los Angeles and despite many phone calls to the hotel after I left, he was not found. I however managed to find him for sale on a website and quickly had him sent to me by FedEx hoping my girlfriend would not notice he wasn’t exactly the same Rufus. She didn’t but eventually my conscious made me tell her the truth that Rufus is in fact now Rufus 2.0. 

 

 

Rufus

Rufus 2.0

 

 

Every performer has experienced some level of post-show blues.  Post-tour blues, we expect, are on a whole different level.  Do you have any tips for touring entertainers with respect to re-entering one’s non-touring life, after an extended time away from home?

It’s so so hard. Coming off the road and re-adjusting to a much slower pace of life for me personally takes quite a long time. When we finished after a 9 month solid tour in May 2023 I truly was burnt out and needed a break, but honestly that’s the first time I have ever felt like that. Usually I am sad when we finish and do worry a little about how I’m going to re-adjust. I have however learnt how to take care of myself. I immediately get my head into other work. I don’t take time off, I tend to actually have a lot of new energy I can place into podcasts or some other kind of creativity. The fact is for many of us this is the biggest part of our lives and so although sleep, no airports and less stress is welcome, life does feel a little empty when away from the road. I truly believe 1 year of touring is the equivalent life experiences to about 20 years of life for a normal person in terms to fun, emotional ups and downs and pure experiences.  


 
 
 
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers of Canada’s Magic?

We're really looking forward to sharing our show with your readers in Western Canada 



Thank you Richard, for making the time to answer our questions!

 

Learn more about Richard at RichardYoungMagic.com and check out his podcast at the Magicians' Podcast Network (Apple Podcasts link), and learn more about Bob Swadling's "Swadling Magic Changing Card" at Changing Cards.

 

 

 

  Champions of Magic  

Catch Richard in Champions of Magic touring in Western Canada this spring:

    Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.

 

Read our 2023 interviews with:

 
Learn more about Champions of Magic at ChampionsOfMagic.co.uk and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter



Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonders Tour


 

 

 


02 February 2024

A peek behind the curtain with Murray SawChuck

We first saw Murray SawChuck in 2001 when he performed at the inaugural CAMaraderie convention.  To say he's been busy since then is an understatement.  

You may be aware that Murray:

  • is a headliner at Laugh Factory in Las Vegas
  • has appeared on and is a regular in many television shows (including Blind Date, Pawn Stars, and Masters of Illusion), 
  • has a comedy special, Itz Gone, Live from Las Vegas streaming on Tubi, 
  • has published the children's book At Nighttime, We’re All the Same Size available at Amazon, and
  • is on this week's episode of What's Going On? on The Magicians' Podcast Network talking about his move into exposure videos (this sure to be controversial episode requires a paid subscription and is available through Apple Podcasts or Spotify).
     


We're delighted to interview Murray ahead of his Brampton show at The Rose Theatre (tickets at Brampton.ca)!


A peek behind the curtain with Murray SawChuck


 
Who inspires you magically? 

Ironically not any magicians. I look at other entertainer that are MAGIC on stage but no neccasaryly perform magic. I look up to the Justin Timberlakes, Dolly Partons, Bruno Mars on how they walk on stage and how they leave their audiences in awe with selling their personalities. There are many great magicians tecnnically but not when they walk on stage. The magicians I looked up growing up and still do are Cardini, Tommy Cooper, Ballentine and Mr. Electric. Real personalities, brands and images.
 



Who inspires you that is not a magician? 

Dolly Parton, Bruno Mars, Jim Carrey, Justin Timberlake, William H. Macy, Lucy Ball, Liberace.

 


Murray SawChuck

 
 
 
 
Did you ever get discouraged and think about quitting magic?

Yes many times. Show business is not for the weak at heart. You will see mostly NOs but when the YESs come they are wonderful and they keep you going until the next YES between all the NOs! When you have a contract or job you are excited but while you are on that contact or job you have to be looking for the next gig or job or contract. It's like playing pool... when you are aiming to shoot the white ball to knock the other ball in the pocket you are working on where the white ball needs to  land after the shot so you have another good shot. Showbiz is just like that always looking at your next shot if you want to keep working in the business!. 
 

 
 
You studied music and you were a professional dancer.  You also earned a degree in Radio and Television, and Broadcasting with a minor in business.  How did these experiences impact both your magic business and your stage show? 

Well all of the above vocations are in show business, so each one taught me something that helped the other. I played music so I understand how music can change a mood or feeling when being presented on stage which makes a trick much more effective. Dancing I trained ballet for 11 years and that taught me how to walk on stage and present myself. Radio and Television Broadcasting taught me how to write copy for ads and press releases for publication as well as speak with a purpose. Having all these skills makes you a better personality and headliner.  
 


 
Do you have any tour or pre-show rituals?

I really don't... I am super relaxed before I go on stage. Once we fly in and upload out equipment and show props and set the stage that is the most nerve racking making sure nothing has broken during travel and setting it up right for the show. Usually I like to have a coffee before I walk on stage, send a few texts to my wife Dani and that's about it.. 



Murray SawChuck


 

 


What do you most look forward to, when you come back to Canada?
 
 I look forward to being back in my home country and  all the greenery and landscapes. In Las Vegas it's the desert... lots of sand and dry hills to look at! I can't wait to bring my show to Brampton!

You're a headliner at the Laugh Factory in Las Vegas, you've appeared on multiple television shows (including Blind Date, Pawn Stars, and Masters of Illusion), you have a  comedy special (Itz Gone, Live from Las Vegas) on TUBI, and you've written a children's book (At Nighttime, We’re All the Same Size).  Is it time to sit back and take it easy, or do you have other big projects in the works? 

I don't sit back very well and I am always five years behind where I'd like to be, so when people see things that I am doing or have done, they usually have been in the making quite a while. I would love my own sitcom or TV show where I could play a regular. I am a regular on Pawn Stars for the last 21 seasons and on CW's Masters Of Illusion for the last 10 years. I have my 2nd comedy special coming out the year we filmed last year and we are getting ready to film more Pawn Stars in February. So, YES I am always working on other projects and ideas. Keeps me young, motivated and focused. I just started this year my keynote talk called 'Find Your Magic' helping people figure out why they should be interested in going to work and staying interested. www.themagicalspeaker.com


 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers of Canada’s Magic?

For anyone trying to make it in show business or magic, don't stop... you will fail, you will succeed but just remember everything is a new day and another shot at making your dream happen. Listen to yourself, your heart and your passion and stay focused. The more popular you get or famous the more people you find will love you as well as hate you... It's a double edge sword. Don't let people effect you as it's your life and your living it, not them.

 
 
Thank you Murray, for making the time to answer our questions!  Hopefully we'll get to see more Canadian dates on your schedule in the near future.

Learn more about Murray at his website MurrayMagic.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

 

Catch Murray at The Rose Theatre in Brampton on March 2nd (tickets at Brampton.ca)! 

 

From the January 10th Facebook post by Brampton On Stage:

Direct from Pawn Stars and CW’s Masters Of Illusion, MURRAY THE MAGICIAN is bringing Vegas to YOU with magic that will blow your mind, performed live and up close at The Rose on March 2!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


27 January 2024

Julie Eng interviewed by Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee

From the January 25th Instagram post by Julie Eng:

It was an honour to join the @ccmuseumbc at the opening of the new exhibition “The Magic of Tony Eng” at the Victoria location in collaboration with @victoriachinatownmuseum, back in December. At that time, I was invited to also participate in a podcast to talk more about my dad, Tony Eng.
Here’s the episode!

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Q6eLIyk2vR4z123WlsY4X?si=abd37475a68d4071

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsw-nuh8g6k

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CBC Radio: Jason Osler interviews Mel Jones and Julie Eng

Listen to Jason Osler interview Mel Jones and Julie Eng "Why aren't there many female magicians?" on the the January 10th episode of "Columnists from CBC Radio."


[via The Magic Demon]

 

 

 

 

22 January 2024

Graeme Reed in the Brant Beacon

From the January 3rd article "Living a magical childhood dream" by Kimberly de Jong in the Brant Beacon:

Since entering the world of magic at a young age, one thing is clear, Reed has opened a host of opportunities for himself, from doing a TEDx talk, to being Doug “the Great” Hunt’s Guinness World Record Verification and Video\Photograph Coordinator, he continues to work on projects that nurture his passions.

His advice for those looking into getting into magic, is simple.

“If anyone was interested in really learning magic and discovering more, there are local magic clubs you should look into joining,” he said. “The best person to reach out to would actually probably be Doug Hunt because he’s the president of the local Hamilton Magic Club. I first met him at the club when I was a kid, and it’s people like Doug that keep someone like me doing magic.”

Read more.


 

From the January 18th Instagram post by Graemazing: