We're back on the road in just over 4 weeks, with a LOT of new magic! As in...
basically a whole new show. So anything can happen. But in the immortal words
of Harry Houdini "If at first you don't succeed, try it three nights later in
Ottawa".
Champions Of Magic in Toronto will have an ASL interpreted performance on Thursday, December 28 at 8:00pm!
TO Live and Starvox Entertainment are happy to offer the following access measures: ASL interpreted performance: Thursday, December 28 at 8:00pm.
The performance will be ASL interpreted by Amanda Hyde and David Bell-Patterson.
Please contact the TO Live box office by phone at 416-366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754, or by email at boxoffice@tolive.com to book tickets with an optimal view of the ASL interpreters. ๐️ bit.ly/3teaOSZ ๐ Champions Of Magic Access Guide ๐ Champions Of Magic Pre-Show Audio Notes ๐ Email boxoffice@tolive.com to book tickets with an optimal view of the ASL interpreters
Great news folks! We have been offered tickets to give away to our
readers, for Champions of Magic in Toronto, Canada.
Prepare to be enchanted this holiday season with Champions of Magic. Brace yourself, for a heart-pounding escape from Houdini's legendary water torture cell, predictions that will leave you questioning reality itself, and gravity-defying levitation acts that will have you floating high above the stage in pure amazement. And when you think you've seen it all, the grand finale will defy explanation leaving you in sheer disbelief!
Toronto don't miss this chance to witness the extraordinary and become part of the magic phenomenon as of December 27!
Their run starts on December 27th and has just been extended to the 31st. If you don't want to leave your tickets to chance, you can purchase them directly at TicketMaster.
There will be a random draw for one (1) family pack of tickets for the show on December 30th at noon, 2023.
There will be one (1) winner.
The prize consists of a family pack of four (4) tickets. (Approximate retail value of $250.)
The draw results will be posted by Saturday, December 23rd.
To enter:
Log into the RaffleCopter widget at the bottom of this post, using a valid email address.
Mandatory: Leave a comment in the widget, telling us: a) what trick or illusion you enjoy doing so much you'd be happy to perform it every day for a year, and b) for how many years you've been performing it.
If you win, you must be willing to provide your name, email address, and phone number, so that a representative from Champions of Magic can coordinate the prize with Lighthouse Immersive box office.
Winners will be notified by email. You will have 24
hours to claim your prize. If we have not heard back from you within 24
hours, your entry will be disqualified and we will draw an additional name.
The fine print:
To participate in the contest, you must be 18 years of age or older.
One entry per person.
This giveaway is open to Canadian residents, excluding residents of Quebec. (Je m'excuse!)
This giveaway is void where prohibited by law.
This giveaway may be terminated or withdrawn at any time.
Entries
may be disqualified at any time (reasons for disqualification include
but are not limited to the provision of information that is untruthful,
inaccurate, incomplete, or suspected fraudulent behaviour).
You must be able to use the tickets as offered. (No cash value will be offered if you cannot use the tickets.)
Transportation to/from Toronto will not be provided.
Accommodations will not be provided.
Photo
ID will be required to claim the tickets at the the Meridian Hall
box office prior to the show on your way into the theatre.
The odds of winning depend on how many people enter the contest.
Contest closes on Wednesday December the 20th, 2023 at 11:59pm ET. Entries received after this time will be disqualified.
With thanks to Starvox Entertainment for generously making these tickets available to you!
We're delighted to interview Sam ahead of his Canadian
Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour dates!
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.
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.
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'.
Young and Strange "One More!" shot glasses ๐ธ : Kidlet, Kitchener, 2022
Thank you Sam, for making the time to answer our questions!
Note to parents of young children: The music can be very loud
at times throughout the show. There's also a smoke machine
involved. Forewarned is forearmed.
There's a videographer on hand
to capture close-up miracles and project them nice and big on a screen so
everyone can see!
Regular readers of the blog have probably guessed that this would be our
summary of the show:
So. Much. Fun!
The show includes a majority of their well polished, finely tuned pieces
from Champions of Magic, performed with the same high energy and
enthusiasm we've come to expect from the duo.
The full show format provides an opportunity for each performer to share their
individual strengths and personality.
It is a highly interactive show. By our count at least 22 volunteers
were selected from the audience.
Both Young and Strange have well-honed close-up skills.
Strange does beautiful card manipulation. He also did some very bold sleight of hand in the palm of a spectator.
Young made many new Canadian friends performing close-up magic in the
audience. On more than one occasion he elicited very visceral responses from the spectators (myself included).
A wide variety of magical effects were demonstrated that included: citrus arts &
crafts, smart phones, kidney beans, a smattering of mentalism, bills, watches,
ribbon, coins, and of course, cards!
Aerialist Michelle Mazzarella dazzled.
It's always a treat to see Young and Strange perform Gerry Frenette's
original illusion. (As an added bonus, Gerry and Leonora were
also in the audience and we were able to visit with them too!)
The audience ATE. IT. ALL. UP. They were very much engaged throughout the show. Kids and adults. Especially the finale!
After the final blackout at the curtain call, you could hear a chorus of
audience members shouting for "one more!" for quite some time!
If you're not able to catch Young and Strange Delusioniststhis year, you may be able to see them as part of the
Champions of Magic ensemble touring in 2023 - 2024. Check
the Champions of Magic website
for current tour information. [At this time, Canadian dates include Toronto (Dec 27 - 29), Regina (Mar 17), and Edmonton (Mar 22 - Apr 6).]
Disclosure: Kidlet and I were guests at this show. The opinions expressed above
are entirely my own. I did not receive compensation for the writing or the
publishing of this article.
Can't make it to see them in Toronto [Dec 27 - 31] or Edmonton [Mar 22 - Apr 6]? Keep your eyes on ChampionsOfMagic.co.uk/tour.html for updates to the tour schedule. A little bird told me they'll have dates in Regina as part of their 2023 - 2024 tour. Additional rumoured locations include cities in BC, SK, and NS!
Break away from the screen and experience live entertainment like never before with Champions Of Magic - an evening of impossible illusions and spectacular special effects. Described by the press as ‘The Avengers of magic’ catch the only team of magicians in the world as they present their original, phenomenal ensemble illusions.
The Champions Of Magic cast present incredible interactive magic, a daring escape from Houdini’s water torture cell, a mind-blowing prediction that has to be seen to be believed, levitation high above the stage and a finale beyond explanation. The show happens all around the theatre and features spectacular illusions that can’t be seen anywhere else.
We're delighted to bring to you a brief interview with
Young and Strange in which we learn, among other things, how they
earned the sometimes used moniker, "the bickering illusionists."
We’ve heard and read multiple versions of your double act origin
story. What really happened to bring you two together?
Young: We realised early on that the real story wasn’t what
people wanted to hear. They would ask and we could see them zoning out and
being disappointed with the truth so we decided to tell them what they wanted
to hear; that we are childhood friends. It is also shorter so that worked
great for us too. We are not childhood friends (or even friends these days)
and didn’t meet until 2008, we were both working as close-up magicians in the
same town (we are both from Oxford, that is true) and we kept hearing
each-others names, Sam reached out and suggested we meet, so we did. Initially
we just discussed close-up magic and gigs, it was around 18 months later we
did our first stage show together, however it wasn’t as a double act, we both
performed individually.
Strange: In that first
theatre show, we did perform a few routines onstage together (as well as our
individual ‘acts’). Those were the most enjoyable aspects of the show and also
the bits that the audience seemed to like best. We both loved the process of
putting on a theatre show and that shared passion meant we did other local
shows together. We used the income we could generate from close-up gigs to buy
illusions and pursue the double act. It wasn’t until the first series of
Penn and Teller: Fool Us
came along (back in 2011), that we were forced to make a decision on the name
of our double act. A call from a researcher on the show asking what we would
like to be called was followed by a conversation about whether 'Rich and Sam’
was a good option. 'Young and Strange' are our real names so it was a simple
enough decision in the end.
Young (left) and Strange in silhouette
What strengths do each of you bring to the partnership?
Young: Occasionally Strange oils the wheels of the 360 illusion.
I do everything else.
Strange: I am pretty good
at the art of deception. Young thinks I oil the wheels on the 360, when in
reality I delegate that job to our stage manager.
Only a handful of male illusion double acts come to mind. What
motivated you to pursue this path?
Young: Illusions are so much fun to perform, we just loved
it from the very beginning, well I did. Strange was very lost in life. It is a
lot of hard work and they are so expensive and hard to move around. It’s a lot
easier in both respects if there are 2 of you. We really are not very smart
and it is entirely truthful to say there was no ‘master plan’ or consideration
into the commercial opportunities that come from being an illusionist double
act. I regularly get pretty upset and have to revisit my therapist when I
realise he has taken half of the money.
Strange: Scott Penrose once said that being an illusionist is 20% magician and 80%
furniture removal man. Having 2 of us to help move that furniture made life a
lot easier. It’s also good to have a mate to debrief the show with and someone
who wants to dissect each performance. Working on your own without a director
or people in the audience to give feedback must be very lonely. The dynamic of
2 of us also allowed us to bring something to the performances other than just
the box illusions.
Young & Strange - Delusionists is fun for the entire family. It’s a
fully interactive and immersive experience, with extraordinary appearances,
vanishes, mind reading and more. It’s all tied together with a mind blowing,
sensational finale that’s filled with the biggest stage illusions, rivalling
any Las Vegas show. Book tickets now to avoid disappointment.
We assume that you perform some pieces of the
Delusionists show as part of the Champions of Magic ensemble. What are the similarities and differences between
Young & Strange Delusionists and your performances in
Champions of Magic?
Young: Yes, some of what you will see in Delusionists you
may have seen in Champions of Magic, however we think if you’ve seen us
before in that show you’ll really enjoy coming and watching us sweat and no
doubt screw up at least some of the plethora of new and unfamiliar material
which we will attempt on this Ontario tour. What’s genuinely so exciting to us
is that Delusionists gives us an opportunity to really connect with the
audience on a deeper personal level as we simply have more time to do so.
You’ll see a complete mix of magic at Delusionists. Not just the
largest stage illusions but also close-up, mentalism effects (we promise done
in a speedy fashion, you won’t be bored) parlour magic and Strange might even
be presenting his full (not) FISM level card manipulation sequence.
Strange: Although we have been performing together
for a long time now, Delusionists is a relatively new show. It
comprises a lot of material that we have performed over the years. However,
there is some new content too. That is one of the best combinations to watch
live. You will get to see well worked and honed performances that will make
you think 'these guys are such professionals.' That will butt up against new
material which will make you think 'these guys are such amateurs.' You’ll get
to experience complete competence and then shocking incompetence, which really
makes for good viewing. I’m not sure if this is mentioned in the blurb or
ticket small print, but the 360 illusion is likely to be cut from the show due
to a lack of oil on the wheels.
Much of your act involves a great deal of physicality. How do you
stay show ready? (Do you train? Do you have an active lifestyle?)
Young: I mean look at me, clearly not. From time to time I will
walk to Denny’s if less than 8 minutes away and the outdoor temperature
is above 75 F. I did have a really bad back on the final leg of the last
Champions tour which was a big wake up call to me. I have quite a lot
of pride in the fact that I have never missed a Champions show in 10
years but I was really close to missing one because of this injury, I was in
enormous pain during that first show after I did myself in (lifting my
suitcase into the tour bus of all the stupid possible reasons). Potential
injuries are another reason to attend Delusionists, there’s always the
possibility Strange will fall off our beautiful Bill Smith
Fire Spiker.
Strange: 'I hurt my back
carrying the show’ was Young’s stock response in the aftermath of the suitcase
debacle. It was a dark time. It’s one of the great things about being in a
double act though as there are times when we can help each other out. I’m not
a doctor but his back would get particularly bad and inflamed during a load-in
or load-out, whenever a prop needed maintenance, or if an email needed a long
response.
Young (left) lets Strange take the spotlight
The soundtrack for your show definitely enhances the impact of your stage
performance. Longtime fans will notice that it evolves with time (eg.
one of your signature pieces which you performed in 2017 on
Penn and Teller: Fool Us
has music with a very different feel than Live and Let Die (by Wings) which you use
today.)
From where (or from whom) do you get your inspiration for your music?
Young: In the early days I found most of the music, it was Alex
our Producer who suggested Live and Let Die for our cardboard box
trick, I have hated it since the first performance but he does pay us well so
I have said nothing. All of my own music suggestions have been vetoed by Alex
and Strange since around 2019. I once suggested
Guns N' Roses November Rain to Strange and he said we couldn’t use it
as he had never heard of it. The song currently has nearly 3 billion views on
YouTube.
Strange: Go onto YouTube and type
'November Rain.’ 28 views. Hang on that might be a B, not and 8, but whatever.
Crazy Frog has 4B but I had to talk Young down from that track as he
wanted to use it for a poetic, emotional and reflective
Miser's Dream routine.
What is the biggest change to your act, or change in your approach to
magic, since your producer Alex Jarrett first saw you at the Edinburgh
Fringe Festival?
Young: The biggest change to the act was when Strange had a baby
went home and Alex Jarrett stood in for him for a couple of weeks. Young &
‘Strange’ never had more positive feedback. The act was tight, professional,
had improv skills and people loved us. For the first time ever, people
actually wanted their photo with Young & Strange. I really tried to
convince Alex to not allow Strange back and to continue on the inevitable
golden path that lay ahead of us, sadly he said he couldn’t do it as arguing
with venues about the cleaning costs for the end of show confetti takes up too
much of his time. I still believe that had he said yes there is a good chance
my house today would have more than 2 bedrooms.
Strange:
Interestingly, whenever the biweekly conversation comes up about ‘The worst
ever Champions of Magic gig,’ Corbin in Kentucky is top of the list. I
can’t remember the exact date of that show but I know my daughter's birthday
is on 14th September.
Our biggest change to our act since meeting Alex Jarrett is that we have been
kept busy working. He has provided us with air time on stages around the world
for many years and that has allowed us to evolve and develop as an act. Alex’s
passion is firmly rooted in comedy and that has no doubt impacted us along the
way.
(not) Strange (left)* and Young post-show Meet and Greet, circa September 14th * Alex Jarrett, producer
Young's go-to Karaoke song:
Kayla Drescher and I used to sing
Phantom of the Opera together when we were on tour. I haven’t been able
to sing it since she left… it’s just too hard.
Young, are you tired of Strange riding on your coattails all these years?
Young: He knows the right thing to do is change the agreement
from 50/50 to 60/40 (at least). He knows this deep down, he also knows I can’t
ask for it and he has to offer. It’s just plain selfish that he hasn’t
already.
Strange's go-to Karaoke song:
I have always loved Guns N' Roses November Rain. It’s my
go-to track and I love it.
Strange, are you tired of Young riding on your coattails all these
years?
Strange: I have heard many, many people over the years say that I
do all the heavy lifting in the act. That accurate metaphor became literal
after the suitcase saga of 2023.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Young: We really do hope magicians will consider coming along to
Delusionists we really think they will enjoy slagging us off both
during intermission and after the show questioning and criticising our
material choices, show structure, and inevitable screw ups. They will feel
great after knowing they would have done a better job. We think they will have
a great time. Hope to see you all there.
Strange: If you are coming to the show then can you please visit the merchandise stand
and buy a shot glass? We ordered 1,000 shot glasses (the minimum order
available) and in the past year we have sold 18. They can double as candle
holders or if you hold one close to your ear you can hear the sea.
Young and Strange "One More!" shot glasses ๐ธ : Kidlet, Kitchener, 2022
Thank you Richard and Sam, for making the time to answer our questions!
Read our 2022 interviews with
Richard Young
and
Sam Strange
where we learn about their favourite:
- thing about touring with Champions of Magic - piece to perform in Champions of Magic - Canadian thing
- part of the show to watch, and - biggest change in the past 10
years
