Paul Nardini is a full-time professional magician based in Scotland. He is recognised as one of the UK’s premier magic talents and is a member of the Magic Circle. Paul was victorious in the Comedy Magic section at the World Magic Championship in 2003 and was subsequently promoted to the Inner Circle of the Magic Circle, with a Gold Star, the highest honour obtainable.
Paul has performed all over the world including shows at the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood and Riviera Casino in Las Vegas. In 2006 he took his one-man magic show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to rave reviews and since worked as a magical advisor to the film industry, teaching leading actors to perform simple magic and landing a few parts for himself.
This summer sees Paul return to Edinburgh with the Edinburgh International Magic Festival from 7th – 11th July where he will perform his own headlining show at The Vault and take part in the closing night Magic and Variety Gala show at the Royal Lyceum Theatre. We spoke to Paul about his early inspiration, his show at the Edinburgh International Magic Festival and how David Blaine and Derren Brown have been good for magic and their fellow magicians.
At what age did you first become interested in magic?
I was Seven. I got a magic set and magic book for my Christmas and the bug bit me.
What were your early experiences as a magician like?
Nerve-racking! You have so much going on in your mind trying to remember the moves etc and on the outside look in control. It is a bit like first learning to drive and changing gears, after a while it becomes second nature but in the beginning……
What is an average day like for a professional magician?
If not performing that day then on an average day I will be doing the boring stuff of correspondence and calls then perhaps rehearsing in the afternoon for a particular show or event I have coming up, making props or resetting my case for the next show….and of course eating cake and drinking coffee.
Your show involves lots of humour and audience interaction. Do you think they’re essential to its success?
That is a good question, it is not essential in the success of the effect per se but as a professional magician you are also an entertainer and the magic has to be entertaining otherwise it has the danger of becoming just an interesting puzzle. I use humour as my way of making it entertaining.
You have performed all over the world, but what location has been the most memorable?
The most memorable was the first time I performed at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. That place is truly magical and all the greatest magicians have graced the stages there so it is a real thrill and honour to be invited to perform there.
You are one of the headline acts at the first Edinburgh International Magic Festival in July. What made you want to get involved?
Kevin is a great magician and we have worked together many times. When he approached me about performing at the festival and explained his and Svetlana’s vision of an International Festival of Magic I was very keen to be part of it.
I love magic it is my hobby as well as my profession and I attend many magic gatherings and conventions and see all these amazing performers which the general public don’t get a chance to see. This festival gives the people of Edinburgh and beyond the opportunity to see, up close, The best of today’s performers and I am delighted to be a part of what I believe will go on to be one of the must see festivals on the Edinburgh calendar.
Tell us a little about your show at the Festival.
I am performing in two shows at the Festival. Wednesday till the Saturday I will be at the The Vault performing a 45 minute close up magic show. In this I will be performing sleight of hand effects as well as some Mentalism (mind reading) effects all done in a humorous style.
At the International Gala at the Royal Lyceum on the Sunday night I will be performing my comedy stage act with my wife Mhairi which we have performed at gala shows all over the world.
In previous years, you’ve performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Would you consider doing that again?
I certainly will. It is a great place to hone an act and when I get the time where I can take a month off again to do that I plan to.
Magic has received a lot of press in recent years thanks to Derren Brown and David Blaine. What do you make of their success?
They have been great for magic. Two different styles of performer appealing to different audiences and showing the depth there is in magic performance. They have also put money in my pocket as their success has led to a rise in popularity of magic and that can only be a good thing in my book.
And finally, one of your signature skills is mind-reading in your ‘Mentalism’ act. Any chance you might reveal how you do it?
Yep! If I perform it badly!
Paul Nardini performs his show “Sleight of Hand, Sleight of Mind” at the Edinburgh International Magic Festival from 7th to 11th July at 7pm at The Vault on Merchant Street. Tickets cost from £5.
For more information or to book, visit www.magicfest.co.uk.
For more information on Paul Nardini and for details on booking him for parties, weddings or corporate events, please visit his website.
