Alex's mum died when he was 14, at around the same time he discovered Derren Brown and his journey to becoming a Champion of Magic had begun. In this interview we discuss Alex's incredible mentalism set in the Champions of Magic touring show, the Gossamer Thread Vaudville Company which he runs with his partner Daisy and what it is like to perform only mentalism at gigs.
Perhaps the best dressed, busiest and funniest working Close-Up Magician in the UK, French magician Etienne Pradier shares his life story on this weeks Podcast. How did he end up in the UK? How did he fool Penn & Teller? How did he escape being thrown out of The Magic Circle? It is all here. Etienne also shares his thoughts on the best tricks to do at gigs.
Jamie Raven has been one of the UK's top working professional magicians for many years, working at top end corporate and private events. In early 2015 Jamie took an enormous risk when he decided to appear on Britain's Got Talent, a risk which paid off massively, Jamie came second and missed out on victory by just 2% of the public vote. This podcast is his story of that incredible journey. www.jamieraven.co.uk
According to his Twitter bio he is 'of little mainstream interest' however after seeing his full evening show I couldn't possibly disagree more! Luke is an incredible raw talent and brilliant thinker, in this interview he is incredibly open and candid about his career to date and his sensational new stage show: Sixth Sense.
Series 2 begins with a bright young talent! Ben Hart was The Young Magician of the Year and was recently one of the featured performers on the BBC3 series Killer Magic. Ben is also one of the most creative minds in magic and no doubt has a bright future ahead of him, in this episode we discuss his past, present and very bright future.
Nick Einhorn is unquestionably one of the highest profile close-up workers in the country, with top end clients and the highest fees, in this Podcast he gives us an insight in to how he got to where he is today. We also discuss magic competitions, his successful fooling of Penn & Teller on ITV1 and his fantastic products including Spooked, The Nest of Wallets and In-Flight.
From a show business family, Jamie Allan was always going to be on stage once the magic bug bite him. A successful career on the worlds largest cruise ships performing the biggest illusions led Jamie to a new touring show concept: iMagician. In this Podcast Jamie talks us through his journey and gives us an incredible insight into what it takes to bring a large show from inside your mind to touring UK theatre stages.
The Police officer turned comedy magician takes to The Magicians' Podcast hot seat to talk us through his career. We discuss what it was like to be the first man to fool Penn & Teller, his performance at Derren Brown's Dad's birthday party and touring with comedy star Tim Vine.
In the hot seat this week is one of the most in demand Close-Up Magicians in the capital Laura London. Laura discusses her appearance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us. Her Close-Up act which consists of only a pack of cards and a pen and her passionate charity work with Breathe where magic is used as a form of therapy.
Danny Buckler is a comedian who used to do magic, he still does magic from time to time however his real talent lies in the unplanned. Some people have gone as far to say that Danny is the UK version of David Williamson, even David himself bought Danny a coffee many years ago to talk about his style and future. On this Podcast Danny tells us all about that encounter with Williamson, his time performing on BBC1 on Saturday nights and the heart breaking story of the dream gig that got away.
The 2015 Magic Circle Close-Up Magician of the Year Will Houstoun joins me to discuss his competition victory, magic history, his PHD, his two books and what it's like to be the editor of The Magic Circular Magazine. Will also gives us a fascinating insight in to the great work being done at Breathe, where magic is used as a form of therapy: http://breatheahr.org
One of the biggest stars in UK magic is in The Magicians' Podcast hot seat this week. Pete Firman joins me to discuss his childhood, his break on Channel 5's Monkey Magic, BBC1's The Magicians and his incredible 8 year run at The Edinburgh Fringe (a brand new show every year) to sell out crowds and critical acclaim.
Star of the ITV2 show Tricked, Ben Hanlin tells us how the road to his own TV series started on YouTube. He discusses the ethical issues of the Breaking Magic TV series which he cohosted which revealed the methods of the stunts in the show. He also reveals how he secured his own TV series on ITV2 and (more importantly) the second series.
You will know Duncan Trillo as the man behind MagicWeek however he's had an incredible career performing all around the world supporting major stars and winning lots of awards along the way. This Podcast tells his story. Duncan is interviewed by magician Richard Young: www.richardyoungmagic.com
John Lenahan is from Philadelphia, in the 1980's he travelled around Europe street performing before settling in London. What followed over the next 20 years was success on television as the front man for multiple magic shows and controversy as the first man to be ejected from The Magic Circle in 85 years. This podcast tells the story and introduces him to the magical world of Giggio. John is interviewed by magician Richard Young: www.richardyoungmagic.com
A podcast with (almost certainly) one of your favourite magicians! David Williamson was in London for 48 hours and was on great form in this interview. Including the story of how the Rocky Racoon routine came to be what it is today and a story about David Copperfield which you won't believe. David is interviewed by magician Richard Young: www.richardyoungmagic.com
Edward Hilsum is one of the featured performers on the Champions of Magic UK tour. In his teens he was hotly tipped to win The Magic Circle Young Magician of The Year, but he didn't. This Podcast tells the story of the creation of his amazing dove act and how losing the competition was the best thing that ever happened to him. Richard Young asks the questions: www.richardyoungmagic.com
David Penn is a multi-award winning close-up magician and an internationally renowned stage illusionist. He was the first magician to ever reach the live semi finals of Britain's Got Talent and he also owns World Magic Shop in Rugby. In this Podcast he talks us through his journey and also discusses the way he is perceived in the magic world. www.davidpenn.co.uk
Rob James is a Bristol based professional magician who began his professional career in 2001. How does a magician who started his career with a weekly residency in Frankie & Benny's now have perhaps the busiest working magicians diary in the country? All is explained in this Podcast. This episode also features the debut of the Giggio jingle!
Noel Britten is a former Stand-Up Comedian, the owner and creator of the Bizarre Bath Comedy Walk and the organiser of The International Magic Festival and Convention, in this Podcast (recorded the week after the convention) he talks us through the reasons why he takes on the massive task of organising it each year.
James Freedman is a London based magician and pickpocket. In August 2014 he took one of the most innovative and genre changing shows to The Edinburgh Fringe Festival that I have ever seen. In this Podcast he talks us through his career and the creation of the critically acclaimed Man of Steal show. Richard Young is asking the questions: www.richardyoungmagic.com
Russ Stevens is an outspoken critic of television magic, the foundations of his opinions come from decades of 'DOING IT LIVE' as a stage illusionist. From The Magic Circle Young Magician of The Year to his own show in Germany through to managing the career of James More. In this interview you will hear Russ talk with true passion about his love of magic and his belief that it should be performed with honesty and fairness regardless of the platform. The interview is hosted by Richard Young: www.richardyoungmagic.com
Andi Gladwin came third in the 1998 Young Magician Club Close-Up Competition, he didn't take his defeat to heart and is now without question one of the most brilliant minds in magic in the UK. He is a writer, a performer and owns half of the Vanishing Inc magic shop. He is also perhaps the nicest guy you could ever wish to meet as you will find out in this Podcast. Magician Richard Young asks the questions: www.richardyoungmagic.com
Anthony Owen has a unique career in the UK as the head of magic at Objective Productions. His career in television magic now spans more than two decades and in this Podcast he tells us how he got to where he is and shares many anecdotes of working alongside the greats of UK magic including Derren Brown. The interview is conducted by Richard Young: www.richardyoungmagic.com
Graham Jolley started his magic career as a manipulator, however once admitting to himself that the man staring back at him in the mirror did not look like Channing Pollock he moved in to the world of mentalism thanks to the inspiration of Al Koran. This interview covers his career with a style and honesty you will not forget.
With over 30 years of experience and having performed for everyone from movie stars to royalty Fay Presto is a legend in UK magic. In this interview she talks us through her amazing journey from motorcycle courier to Champion of Magic. Richard Young is asking the questions: www.richardyoungmagic.com
Dave Bonsall has been a Royal Marine, a working close-up magician and now he is the owner of the PropDog magic shop in Hounslow. One year ago Dave invested every penny he has into the business and on this Podcast he explains why.
Pete Wardell has gone from performing on the streets of Covent Garden to the trade show floor in Dubai, along the way he has won a number of top awards and worked alongside some of the all time greats in magic. In this interview he takes us through that journey.
The interview is conducted by Richard Young: www.richardyoungmagic.com
Paul Martin is one of the busiest Close-Up and Cabaret magicians in the UK. In this interview we hear about how he didn't come to the business until he was 30 and all his jobs before which he feels helped him connect with his audience. He also tells us about his recent foray in to the world of stand-up comedy.