It Must Be Magic

Do you see there being a difference between a magician and an illusionist?The way I see it is an illusionist is a type of magician that performs with larger effects.Is magic purely for the stage or do you play tricks on friends and family all the time?I tend to try out material on my friends and family without warning. I went through a phase of pranking friends and family with magic, but now I’ve started subtly testing out material rather than pranking people.

I imagine somebody who grows up to be a magician in adult life kind of spends their childhood playing tricks on his parents/brothers/sisters when they were kids. Is that true of you?

I tried to hide the fact I wanted to be a magician when I was a kid. I thought if people at school found out I was a magician I would open myself up to be ridiculed, but during my high school graduation I busted out my dove act and the place went crazy. It was then I realized I didn’t have to hide the fact I was a magician.

Sounds like you kind of had a ‘coming out’ of your own, but as a magician! So, who is the greatest magician of all time?

Derren Brown and David Copperfield. Both have it completely figured out and their performances are works of art to me.

And which fictional magician is the greatest ever?

It would be between Jesus and Harry Potter… tough choice, but I think I’ll go with Jesus.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? What would you do with it?

Definitely to fly, it would save crazy amounts on airfare.

“I tried to hide the fact I wanted to be a magician when I was a kid. I thought if people at school found out I was a magician I would open myself up to be ridiculed.”

What would be your ultimate illusion to do that you have planned for the future?

I can’t give that away! Magic is all about the surprise. A magician should never tell the audience what he is going to do before he does it.

The Britain’s Got Talent Final was quite hair-raising! How do you rehearse feats like that? Do you practice the whole way through or is there a level of spontaneity to it?

That entire routine is the sketchiest thing I’ve ever done because it can’t be rehearsed in its entirety. First, we test the amount of time it takes the rope to burn through, which was usually 53 seconds, then I practice hanging upside and escaping from the straight jacket in 52 seconds. It’s only during the show when we put the two together and actually perform with the rope on fire.

Do you see yourself doing the kind of freaky things that David Blaine does, or do you prefer to challenge yourself with more entertainment-based feats?

It’s important to me not to emulate other magicians. I think David Blaine is successful because what he does is different from everyone else, and that’s what I’m trying to build, but in my own way.

Did you use magic to woo your girlfriend when you were dating?

Actually I didn’t. I try not to do that too often! Magic can be a powerful tool, if used correctly. There is a fine line between being charming or entertaining and beyond that it’s just obnoxious.

You are a definite magician pin-up. How do you feel about all the attention from the ladies… And the guys?

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it. As a performer, I’m constantly trying to build my fan base and however that comes about is fine by me!

What are you going to deliver for the crowd at G-A-Y this weekend for Pride?

This performance will be a bit different. People are there to party so it’s important to keep the energy high.