Showing posts with label -BC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label -BC. Show all posts

14 March 2024

Nanaimo: Jason Verners and Chris Yuill at the Port Theatre [Apr 12]

Tickets at Port Theatre.

 

From the January 23rd Facebook post by Chris Yuill:

Hey Vancouver Island friends, this event is coming to the Port Theatre in Nanaimo on April 12th.

 

 

 

 

05 March 2024

Rounding the Western rings in March 2024

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

City Club Event(s)
Calgary, AB Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring) - N/A.
Edmonton, AB Edmonton Magic Club - N/A.
Winnipeg, MB The Magic Club of Winnipeg - SYM.
Fraser Valley, BC IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring) - Fun Night! - Improv Games and Laff-Off.
Vancouver, BC Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle) - The Magic Festival
- Children's magician of the Year competition
- Annual banquet with Jay Alexander
Vancouver, BC SAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly) - N/A.
Victoria, BC Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)   - N/A.


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

04 March 2024

Mission: Sean Taylor lecture [May 19]

From the Sean Taylor FVMC Lecture Facebook event:

Sean Taylor is a magician who needs no introduction. 

He has authored 5 books for magicians, released a dozen DVDs and more than 25 effects. He’s also lectured in 7 countries and performed in 16. 

Sean’s effects are practical and commercial and used by working professionals all over the world and these are his first LIVE lectures in over 3 years. 

Lockdown has been a busy time in the Taylor house with Sean ZOOM lecturing for the Magic Circle in London, the IBM British Ring in the UK as well as other magic clubs in the USA, UK and Australia. In addition, Sean and his son Patrick have re-designed and re-shot all of his signature effects and released a bunch of new items. 

Looking Forward to the Past is a new lecture of close-up, stand-up and mentalism which spans Sean’s many interests in magic. There are some easy craft projects, some quirky
uses for things you already know and some new work on old favourites. Subtlety over sleights and effect over method.

There will be something for everyone and every performing situation! 

Sean will be bringing his unique range of products for sale after the lecture (including a new release which will be seen at these new lectures for the first time) and there will be comprehensive lecture notes with video clips available on a thumb drive.

 


 

 

 

 

 

27 February 2024

Victoria: Tricky Tuesday [Mar 12]

From the February 10th Facebook post by the Victoria Magic Circle:

It is back! We are excited to be sharing new magic with all of you at our yearly Tricky Tuesday! With the performers we have this year, it is sure to sell out, so grab your tickets early!

 

 

 

 

 

22 February 2024

Campbell River: Jason Verners [Mar 16]

From the December 24th Facebook post by Jason Verners:

Campbell River, BC! Looking forward to seeing you on March 16, 2024 at Tidemark Theatre.

Tickets available at: https://jasonverners.com/


 

 

 

21 February 2024

Victoria: PCAM 2024 [Nov 7 - 10]

Visit the PCAM website at PCAMmagic.com

 

From the February 18th Facebook post by the Canadian Association of Magicians:

Get ready to be spellbound at this year's PCAM convention, coming to the enchanting city of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Don't miss out on the magic – register early to secure your spot!

Head over to the registration page at [https://pcammagic.com/registration/] and reserve your place today. Plus, early registrants will receive special gifts and extras upon arrival, so be sure to provide all your information to ensure you don't miss out on the surprises!

We've also arranged a special discount for accommodations at [https://pcammagic.com/hotel/]. Be sure to book your room soon to guarantee your stay in magical Victoria.

Let's make this year's PCAM convention an unforgettable gathering of magic and camaraderie. See you there! ✨🎩

 

 

 

 

20 February 2024

New Westminster: Taylor Hughes [May 16 - 19]

From the February 18th Facebook post by Shawn Farquhar:

Some exciting news for Hidden Wonders Speakeasy Magic Experience and the magicians of BC. I have invited a guest artists to present their show for an entire weekend in the showroom in May. You won't want to miss this magician!  

If we ask really nice he might even do a lecture! Ticket sales are open to the public so this is certain to sell out fast, like all Hidden Wonders shows. 

https://buytickets.at/hiddenwonders/1162627




 

 

 

 

 

 

New Westminster: The MAGIC Festival [Mar 25 - 30]

Visit their website at TheMagicFestival.com.

 

From the February 12th Facebook post by Shawn Farquhar:

I'm excited to announce we're restarting The MAGIC Festival. It has been years since we had the time and energy to mount a week long festival celebrating Magic Arts Gathering In Canada... see what I did there? lol 

We have contributions from the Vancouver Magic Circle, IBM Ring #92, the SAM #95 Assembly, the Vancouver Magic Academy, Rick Bronson's House of Comedy, Stefanos Restaurant and Lounge, and it will all be held in Downtown New Westminster! 

Magic for the masses... mark your calendars: March 25th-30th.

 

 

 

 

 

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


 

 

 


31 January 2024

Rounding the Western rings in February 2024

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

City Club Event(s)
Calgary, AB Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring) - N/A.
Edmonton, AB Edmonton Magic Club - N/A.
Winnipeg, MB The Magic Club of Winnipeg - SYM.
Fraser Valley, BC IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring) - N/A.
Vancouver, BC Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle) - N/A.
Vancouver, BC SAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly) - N/A.
Victoria, BC Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)   - N/A.


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

19 January 2024

ON, BC, AB, SK, NS & NB: Wes Barker on tour [Jan - Mar]

Tickets at LinkTree.

  • JAN 19 - COLLINGWOOD, ON
  • JAN 26 - VANCOUVER, BC
  • JAN 28 - CALGARY, AB (afternoon show)
  • FEB 10 - SASKATOON, SK
  • FEB 11 - REGINA, SK
  • FEB 16 - McALESTER, OK
  • FEB 17 - McALESTER, OK
  • MAR 14 - HALIFAX, NS
  • MAR 15 - FREDERICTON, NB
  • APR 28 - MAIMI on CELEBRITY SUMMIT CRUISE SHIP 



 

 

 

 

08 January 2024

Rounding the Western rings in January 2024

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

City Club Event(s)
Calgary, AB Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring) - N/A.
Edmonton, AB Edmonton Magic Club - N/A.
Winnipeg, MB The Magic Club of Winnipeg - SYM.
Fraser Valley, BC IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring) - N/A.
Vancouver, BC Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle) - Jeffrey Wang online lecture.
Vancouver, BC SAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly) - Jeffrey Wang online lecture.
Victoria, BC Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)   - Annual dinner awards show.


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

03 January 2024

Chilliwack and Mission: Harrison Greenbaum show [Jan 19 - 20] and lecture [Jan 21]

From the December 28th Facebook post by the Fraser Valley Magic Company:

Magicians and local friends in the Fraser Valley! Second show added!

Harrison Greenbaum is coming to town!! And tickets start at just $40!!

Harrison Greenbaum is one of the most in-demand comedic performers in the world!

Jan 19th Chilliwack Show - Facebook Event link:
https://www.facebook.com/share/6U9F78GoTQFmf8Z1/?mibextid=9l3rBW

Tickets for the Chilliwack show can be bought at
www.ComedyShowTickets.ca


Jan 20th Mission Show - Facebook event link:
https://www.facebook.com/share/dDzpx3V5oPo2gusG/?mibextid=9l3rBW

Tickets for the Mission show available at:
www.MagicShowTickets.ca


Jan 21st - Facebook Lecture Event
https://www.facebook.com/share/CBxnWD4dV5X7tuWD/?mibextid=9l3rBW

Combo show and lecture deal available at:
www.MagicShowTickets.ca


Don’t miss this once in a lifetime event! A Vegas and Broadway star is coming to our back year for a third of the price of a show you would have to fly to go see!

Seats are selling out - so don’t delay! Support your local arts and come laugh yourself silly!

 


 

 

 

 

18 December 2023

Vancouver: Paul Romhany at The Clutch [Feb 10]

From The Clutch:

Step into a world where reality blurs and wonder and humor take center stage! Enchantments Unveiled invites you to witness an extraordinary magic show that defies the boundaries of imagination. This show is like no other in the world.

The first half features mind blowing magic and mind-reading blended with comedy, while the second half is a magical tribute to Charlie Chaplin. Imagine what it would look like if Chaplin did magic. Paul has spent a lifetime developing his act and is considered the best Chaplin impersonator in the world. He has blended comedy, music, and magic to create one of the most original, hilarious, and charming acts in the world.

 Read more and buy tickets.

 

 

From the December 14th Facebook post by Paul Romhany:


 

 

 

 

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


 

 

 


25 November 2023

A peek behind the curtain with Sam Strange [2023]

This is the fourth 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 Sam Strange from:



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


A peek behind the curtain with Sam Strange


 
Have you studied any magic-adjacent disciplines? 

It really highlights the scam that being a magician can be sometimes. So many magicians, including myself, hide behind the tricks/illusions when there is little talent outside of that. When I was in my 20s I did learn to partner dance (modern jive) and you could argue that gave me some coordination. However, I think honesty that would be very generous to say that it helped inform my balletic movements during the final Las Vegas parody sequence.


 



In retrospect are there skills or knowledge that you wish you had prior to pursuing magic full time? 

Certainly there are a host of skills that would have been so helpful. Being good at video editing and photoshop would be so useful. It would mean you could produce online content quickly and easily without the cost of using a professional. 
 
 


Sam performing 'red light, green light'

Red light, green light!
 
 
 
 
Do you remember the specific moment when you knew you could or wanted to perform magic full time?

I do remember actually with some clarity.

When I started to ‘gig’ (a few kids parties and events for friends), I was about 18 years old. Simultaneously I joined the ’Thames Valley Magicians Guild’ and would go to the weekly meetings there. After a few weeks I was kindly asked to cover a residency at a restaurant in Oxford, England. I did that on Friday and Saturday evenings. At that point there was a simple and clear connection between my magic passion and an income, of sorts. I knew at that point I wanted to be a professional magician.
 

 
 
What is your most memorable performance misadventure? 

There are so many to mention, which is both a sign of experience and flight time, but also unprofessionalism. (Richard) Young and I did the Edinburgh (Fringe) festival for 4 consecutive years and at that point new material is being worked in and lessons are being learned!

Lesson 1. Never leave the Master Prediction Tube inside the actual box. Especially when hanging that box (and ultimately the show’s finale) in full view of the audience.
Lesson 2. Always remember the key to a locked box with a spectator's watch inside.
Lesson 3. Never commit wholeheartedly to the gender of an audience member.
Lesson 4. Never perform magic on a stage at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, on New Year’s Eve in 2019, in the wind and rain. Ever.
Lesson 5. Never perform an under-rehearsed Table of Death.

All of the above had no outs. 

One of the most haunting experiences might not sound at all a problem, but knocked my confidence for years afterwards. I remember going out on stage for the show opening and having a complete mind blank. I genuinely didn’t know what I should say or how to start saying my script. Fortunately being in a double act means that essentially you have a script advisor standing next to you. But the fact that can happen means it might happen again and standing on a stage with nothing to say or nowhere to go, is a lonely and embarrassing experience.  
 


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

Although Champions of Magic does contain 5 magicians each performing in their own style, from their own discipline of magic, the show does feel very cohesive. It shouldn’t feel like a Magic Convention line up but without the MC. We perform together onstage throughout the show and because of that it hopefully feels like you’re watching a team of magicians, rather than segmented acts. That unifying aspect makes the show memorable, rather than the individuals within it. Coupled with the humour and no ability to take ourselves seriously, means it should be distinctive enough from the show's competitors.  



Paper money falling around Sam

That's a lot of money

 



Do you have any guilty pleasures while on tour?
 
At every venue we go to there is a well stocked fridge and Coke (both Zero and full fat) is always on offer and display. When it’s always there, I will most likely choose it over the bottled water. It’s not a vice I suppose, but I know it’s probably not good for you in large quantities and I do love it.
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? 

Leaving home for longer tours is an emotional challenge for sure. However, that challenge comes with the territory and it’s not like I’m down a mine shaft for weeks on end or on the front line in Afghanistan. I’m not sure if there is a front line in Afghanistan anymore, but you get the sentiment.

I do carry a couple of photos of my family, which feels very old fashioned and probably crazy considering I have my iPhone’s camera roll with me at all times. I’m sure that if I printed out all of the iPhone images of my kids and put them into a flicker book, you’d essentially get a live stream since birth.

 

 

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

We STILL have a large quantity of shot glasses available on the merchandise stand. You would think dropping the price to $15 would have helped shift them, but it did very little for sales overall. It’s the worst business idea we have ever had. Please can your readers buy them when attending a show? After a lot of trial and error (and critically the right room humidity) the Young & Strange logo CAN be scratched off with a box cutter.

The shot glasses are versatile and I’ve provided some ideas for their use below:

- Candle holders.
- A Crockery Smash stall at a local fundraising event.
- A Glass Walking routine you are working on.
- A lecture for a business studies group on 'Loss Leaders'.
  


Get your very own Young and Strange shot glasses at their merch table

Young and Strange "One More!" shot glasses
📸 : Kidlet, Kitchener, 2022



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

 

Learn more about Sam at SamStrangeMagic.co.uk and follow Young & Strange on Facebook, and Instagram. 

 

  Champions of Magic  

Catch Sam 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


 

 

 


24 November 2023

New Westminster: Cabaret of Wonders [Nov 28]

Tickets at Cabaret Of Wonders.

 

From the November 17th Facebook post by Cabaret of Wonders:

Returning this week from their double-Gold Medal wins, Alex Zander & Billy Hsueh bring their award winning magic to the Cabaret of Wonders

November 28, 2023
Tickets while they last, @ CabaretOfWonders.com

 

 

 

22 November 2023

Vancouver: The Parlour Magic Show [Nov 22]

Tickets at Eventbrite.

 

From the November 12th Instagram post by The Parlour Magic Show:

Tickets available for the Nov 22 Parlour Magic Show! Come in from the cold and enjoy a cornucopia of wizardry at @theshowcellar !