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

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 or 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:



 

 

 

 

30 December 2023

A peek behind the curtain with Potted Potter Toronto [2023]

A peek behind the curtain with Potted Potter FB


A peek behind the curtain with Potted Potter



We're delighted to bring to you a brief interview with the Toronto Performers of Potted Potter, Josephine Starte, Lottie Bell, and Amelia Gann.


Potted Potter in Toronto

Amelia Gann as Harry (left) and Lottie Bell as Voldemort

 

What is your first memory of magic?  How old were you?

Josephine:  I changed primary schools when I was 6 and immediately started a very popular flying club, which centred around doing spells on each other and then jumping off tables at playtime. It was very serious, there were tests, and certificates. I sort of believed I was really flying and really passing on my great wisdom, and I sort of knew I was lying. And then I became an actor.



Josephine Starte

Josephine Starte

 



Each of you perform an effect that some professional magicians also have in their shows.  What was your experience learning how to do magic for Potted Potter?

Lottie:  Chaotic. I mean I struggle with magic tricks in the real world. So I didn’t ever perform magic tricks on anyone before the show. However, ironically, I love doing them as Lord Voldemort in the show because I can add Voldemort’s cheeky humour to the trick! Even though he’s evil it’s the one time that Voldemort gets the audience's support and that really does help my confidence in the trick so thank you to Lord Voldemort and all his fans! (in that moment). 



Lottie Bell

Lottie Bell

 

 

Do you want to learn how to do any additional magic tricks? 

Amelia:  Absolutely! It's an aspect of performance I hadn't experienced before this project so I'm looking forward to improving my showmanship and slick delivery, especially with cards - as there's so much to learn and try out! Maybe if I build up my repertoire we can bring some new tricks into each show. 

 

Amelia Gann

Amelia Gann
 

 
 
Were there any hurdles or obstacles you needed to overcome, in order to perform a script originally written for an all male cast? 

Josephine:  The script changed a tiny bit, like the odd word here and there, and I think we possibly perform more characters than the guys as a result. But broadly it’s exactly the same show on paper, and it works brilliantly because there was always gender flipping (read: lots of wigs) in Potted Potter, the guys always played Hermione, Ginny etc, so that license to be flexible with gender is baked in. I mean, it was never a searing, naturalistic kitchen-sink drama about men being manly, it’s always been two delusional clowns throwing water at each other and pretending to be wizards. So it never occurred to me that those roles couldn’t be women. They just need to be really stupid (hello). 

 

What do you enjoy most about Potted Potter?

Josephine:   I love the audiences we get and how they respond to all the interactive bits, how generous they are. We’ve been so lucky, we’ve only ever had the nicest, wildest audiences, everyone’s always up for a good time when they come. It’s pure joy. I also love when young people seek us out after shows to talk about acting and comedy, it’s fantastic to be around for those light bulb moments. 


 

Performing the same show over and over can get tedious.  What do you do to keep your performance fresh for both your audience and you?

Lottie:  I have ADHD so for me personally as a performer I need to be always finding new things and I feel the audience really helps with this especially in the live Quidditch that everyone gets involved in, so it does help with this show that it is different every night - there’s always a surprise! 

 

 

How much of the show is scripted and how much is improvised?

Lottie:  The show's script came from a lot of ad-libbing and improv from our writers Dan and Jeff and then they’ve taken bits of ad-lib from further performers whilst either performing or rehearsing and popped it in the show. That’s another big reason why I love working on this show because the team behind it are all so supportive of their actors. It gives the actors a real freedom to play and make choices in the space creating the spontaneous and witty comedy in the show. Now that's real magic!

 

 

 Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Amelia:  Well it's been lovely to chat to you and we hope that you are intrigued to come and join in with the magical chaos that is Potted Potter. Expect the unexpected, silliness, games, perhaps a bit of audience participation (if you're brave enough). And please tell us all your magic secrets after the show!
 
 


Thank you Josephine, Lottie, and Amelia, for making the time to answer our questions! 
 
 

Potted Potter runs until January 14, 2024.  Tickets are available from Live Nation.


Potted Potter in Toronto

 

Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff is flying back to Toronto!

Seen by over a million muggles around the world Potted Potter has fans flying off their seats (or broomsticks) with laughter and for the first time in North America the Toronto production will feature an all-female cast. Lottie Bell and Josephine Starte will lead the run with Hanna Berrigan swooping in as Associate Director. The cleverly curated show features perfect Potter props complete with wand and sorting hat, appearances from your favourite characters, and a live Quidditch match!






 

 

 

 

17 December 2023

Shawn Farquhar on "This is BC" with Jay Durant

ICYMI, on November 9th, Shawn was featured in a segment of This is BC.   Watch the segment about Shawn in This is BC: Magician follows family tradition with Jay Durant.

 

 

 

 

09 December 2023

Victoria: The Magic of Tony Eng at the Chinese Canadian Museum

From the December 6th article "New magician exhibit opening at Victoria’s Chinese museum in Fan Tan alley this week" by Curtis Blandy at Victoria Buzz:

Eng was born in 1948 and raised right here in Victoria. According to the museum, he had an affinity for the magical arts since he was a young boy. He received his first magic kit at the young age of 8-years-old and had started performing shows by age 12.

Onlookers would be able to see his show at The Japanese Village restaurant for two decades.

He worked over the years to piece together a show that was interwoven with his Chinese Canadian heritage that he called ‘Mysteries of the Orient,’ in which he was adorned in an elegant, embroidered mandarin robe. 

Read more.



Listen to Gregor Craigie interview Julie Eng about her father on the December 4th segment at CBC's On The Island.

 

 

From the December 7th Facebook post by Julie Eng:

It’s official! The Magic of Tony Eng exhibition, at the Victoria Chinatown Museum in Fan Tan Alley is now open! It is wonderful to see my dear dad being honoured in this very special way. Throughout the curatorial process, I was very moving to hear just how many people were touched by Dad and his magic. Thanks to the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society and the Chinese Canadian Museum for choosing to spotlight someone who dared to be different and to chase his dreams. I was very excited to be part of the ribbon cutting ceremony today. A profound honour and one I will never forget. Dad, I think you really would have loved this exhibition. I know I do.

 

 

 

From the December 6th Facebook post by Charlayne Thornton-Joe:

The Victoria Chinatown Museum Society and the Chinese Canadian Museum have worked closely with the Eng family to create the exhibition which celebrates the spellbinding magical career of Tony Eng, whose enchanting influence and legacy reached far corners of the world. The exhibition features Tony’s original mandarin robe and many items from his bag of tricks.

“The Victoria Chinatown Museum Society is delighted to work with the Chinese Canadian Museum on the installation of ‘The Magic of Tony Eng’,” says Grace Wong Sneddon, Board Chair of the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society and Co-Curator of The Magic of Tony Eng. “Tony was a mentor to youth in Victoria and around the world. His magic was more than a routine, it provided a space for us to dream beyond the ordinary. Stories of Victoria Chinese Canadians are important to share.” 

Born and raised in Victoria, B.C., Tony’s fascination with magic began at the age of eight when he received his first magic kit, and then started performing magic shows at age 12. He became a fan favourite when he performed every Sunday at The Japanese Village restaurant for two decades. 

Embracing his Chinese Canadian heritage, he created a distinctive show called “Mysteries of the Orient” which he performed in an embroidered mandarin’s robe. His skill and talent made him renowned in the Canadian magic circle where he was known as the “Ambassador of Magic.” His entrepreneurial skills enabled him to run a successful wholesale business and establish the Premier School of Bartending. He also started up his own Tony's Trick & Joke Shop in Victoria which was a fantasy emporium of wizardry and gadgetry where he inspired and mentored many young up-and-coming magicians for years to come.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

02 December 2023

A peek behind the curtain with Fernando Velasco [2023]

This is the fifth in a series of interviews leading up to the Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour Canadian dates in:

Additional rumoured locations include cities in BC and NS!  Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.

Read our thoughts about their 2022 show:

TLDR: So. Much. Fun!

Random thoughts about "Champions of Magic" 

 

You may also know Fernando Velasco as the winner of the 2018 Junior Achievement Award at The Magic Castle.



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


A peek behind the curtain with Fernando Velasco


 
We were fortunate to see Champions of Magic in three times in the past five years.  Your part in the show changed significantly from year to year.  In fact the 2022 experience was very different from the first time we saw you in Toronto in 2018. 

When you have an audience tested, well-received show, what drives you to modify and advance your act?


I’m not sure what the motivation  factor is; I love entertaining, I love making changes to try and find the best possible version of the acts to share with audiences, It’s also a way to keep it fresh, even if its just little changes to the script that’s enough to keep us engaged and in search for the perfect/most genuine presentation.
 



Have you studied any magic-adjacent disciplines? 

Recently I’ve been studying writing and storytelling, I think it’s definitely helped me give my magic some meaning. Hopefully sharing stories that might mean something to people and might make them FEEL something… A feeling is what I’m currently after.
 
I also spend a lot of time analyzing other artists from a variety of different disciplines just trying to learn anything I can from them; Michael Jackson, Tom Cruise, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Robbie Williams, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Pixar.
 


Cutting it close!

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

YES, the moment I joined The Magic Castle Junior Society and debuted at 14 years old during Future Stars of Magic Week in 2012 -- that was the moment I knew I had found my entertaining vehicle. There was no looking back.
 

 
 
What is your most memorable performance misadventure? 

Hahahah might be too soon...  (Darkest day of my career.)

Once upon a time in Houston, Texas, (Richard) Young, (Sam) Strange, and myself had a catastrophic prop malfunction in a part of the show we do together.

I wish I could tell you that we played it off and walked off stage like heroes, but we did not.

First, we were exposed to 1/3 of the audience (being generous with ourselves), then Young fled the scene leaving me and Strange alone on stage to finish the act... to which the act finale also failed.

In other words, NOTHING worked… it was like a scene out of Magic Gone Wrong.  
 


 
What sets Champions of Magic apart from other touring ensemble magic shows?

First the insane production level, it blows any other touring magic show in North America out of the water.

Second, our interactions with each other, the way the show intertwines with all of us and our collaborative routines.

We are a cast rather than four ensemble acts, that’s really unique.    



After a quick dip in the water tank.

After a quick dip in the water tank.

 



Do you have any guilty pleasures while on tour?

My biggest guilty pleasure is food, I love food, and I'm lucky to  share this pleasure  with my great friend Richie (Young). Sharing meals together tends to be a highlight of the day haha. As well as riding Birdies (electric scooters) around cities.
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 really love touring, it's our life.

But touring can be hard, it can get lonely. You are in a bubble for months in which nothing enters or leaves, it's like we are isolated from the real world…

I wear bracelets that friends and family give me, I wear them all the time, it's my way of keeping a part of loved ones near all the time.

 

 

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

Best version of Champions of Magic is on its way. We hope you come to the shows and enjoy them as much as we do.  





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

 

Learn more about Fernando at FernandoV.net and follow him on Facebook, and Instagram. 

 

  Champions of Magic  

Catch Fernando in Champions of Magic touring across Canada in 2023 - 2024:

Additional rumoured locations include cities in BC and NS!  Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.

 

Read our 2023 interviews with:




Read our 2022 interviews with the cast:

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



Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonders Tour