Author: ChrisPilsworth

Magical Movies

I love to go to the movies. For as long as I can remember, going into a dark theatre to watch a movie has always been a great joy. How cool is it to enter into another person’s imagination and be inspired by visions they create. Some of my favourite movies are magical, some are inspiring and some create amazing worlds that are brought to life on film.

Magical Movies – Field of Dreams

For some reason or other, this film really resonates with me. As a magician, I think it’s because there were true magical moments carefully interwoven with the everyday. The mystery that’s revealed at the end was surprising and rewarding. Only then did the story make complete sense. My hat goes off to the director for his graceful touch in creating this world of magical realism.

Movies That Inspire

Robin Williams was the star of Dead Poets Society. It was one of his first dramatic roles and he played his character with passion and restraint. He was nominated for an Oscar in the leading actor category. His performance was definitely worthy of being in such great company as the other nominees.

Any creator who enters into the world of arts for a living, works on the faith that all will go well. Every day presents victories and challenges not only with running the business, but also creating new pieces of art. Robin Williams advice to his class was to seize the day, Carpe Diem. That was a powerful message in the movie and gives me inspiration and motivation to continue to follow my dreams.

Designer Movies

As a graduate of Industrial Design from Carleton University in Ottawa, my eye always gravitates towards interesting design, whether it is graphic design, architecture, furniture design or movie production design. A French foreign film captured my designer spirit when it was first released. The cinematography was outstanding. That coupled with a great plot and new wave-style of direction, really appealed to me. The film’s name is Diva and if you don’t mind English subtitles, I encourage you to check it out.

Magical Movies that are Whimsical

As a magician, I enjoy having moments in my show that are whimsical. Inspiration for those moments can come from a variety of sources. One movie that perfectly reflects this approach is the classic, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Dick Van Dyke’s character was an inventor and I love to watch as his inventions achieved their purpose in unusual and creative ways. The car was obviously the centerpiece of the film, but many inventions and whimsy were sprinkled generously throughout the story.

I’m on the lookout for sources of inspiration and going to the movies will always be one of my favourite ways to see the world differently. That helps to make my magic more magical.

Amazing Entertainers

Amazing Entertainers become so by practice, persistence and a bit of luck. They also are inspired by other great entetainers who are at the top of their game. I’ve been enchanted by other magicians, but also entertainers in other fields. There is nothing wrong with a bit of cross pollination in the entertainment field. Let’s have a look at a few performers whose work I really admire.

Amazing Entertainers – Victor Borge

Victor Borge was a concert pianist who skillfully blended music and comedy. He could very easily become a stand-up comedian, as his verbal comedy was on par with his excellent piano playing. From the moment he set foot on stage, he would put his audience at ease with some funny music related lines. I suspect he spent as much time refining his comedy as he did practicing the piano.

Amazing Entertainers – Michael Davis

Michael Davis could technically be considered a juggler, however, that doesn’t even begin to recognize how important humour was in his act. Each piece he created and nurtured had a strong premise. There was always a beginning, middle and end to each phase of his act. although his delivery was dry, there were always tons of laughter as the situations became more extreme.

He was asked to perform at the presidential show when Regan was president. In that clip you can see how he was such a star. Using only a few juggling props, he created such a fantastic set that even the most jaded politicians in Washington couldn’t help but laugh.

Amazing Entertainers – Gamarjobat

Amazing entertainers come in all shapes and forms. This mime duo from Japan, has numerous international TV appearances and also worked the international festival circuit. Their energy and child-like playfulness made their shows big hits. Without using any words they captured so many emotions. That is an incredible achievement in the world of entertainment.

Amazing Entertainers – Yuri Medvedev

This video from Cirque du Soleil features the clown, Yuri Medvedev. His work is sublime. There is so much thought and attention to detail that went into this sketch. It is the mark of a true master to be able to invent all of the details that reveal our own humanity. I recall seeing another clown in Cirque du Soleil present the same piece as Yuri. It was evident to me that Yuri was the creator because of all the tiny moments that he incorporated. the other clown copied the moves, but not the soul of the piece.

Amazing Entertainers – Chris Pilsworth

I love performing magic and as my occupation for many years, it is important to create performances that audiences will love. For me it is equally important to strive to make my shows as good as the performers that I admire and inspire me. I hope that over the years, I too have inspired new performers to create in their own way and shine brightly.

2025 – A Magical Year

When you run your own business, the end of the year is a great time to plan for the following year, but also a great time to look back upon the great achievements. 2025 was a magical year.

Teaching Other Magicians

The art of magic continually evolves according to changes in society, technology and the economy. Magicians are a group of people that are always looking for new ways to entertain their audiences. In January, the beginning of a magical year, I had the privilege of returning to Toronto to present a lecture for the Hat and Rabbit magic club. They are one of the oldest clubs in North America and have one of the largest magic club memberships in all of Canada. This was the second time I was invited to share my tricks and knowledge. I presented some of the new tricks that I invented since the first time I lectured seven years ago.

One aspect that I really enjoy about giving a lecture to other magicians, is that it is fantastic being able to share details about the inner workings of tricks. Magicians can appreciate the level of detail that goes into making a successful presentation. In the confines of a club, secrets are shared freely. Having lectured in Canada, the States and China, I find I also learn from the questions and ideas of those magicians attending.

On Tour

In early April, I toured in Newfoundland and Labrador with my friend and fellow magician, Michael Conway. Michael is originally from St. John’s and arranged the tour through the provincial touring organization. We spent two weeks performing at 6 theatres throughout the province. The people in Newfoundland and Labrador are so friendly. In St. John’s we stayed with Michael’s parents and I had some of the local cuisine. There is a lot of effort required to tour, but meeting new people and indulging in some of the local culture more than makes up for the preparation.

Magic Conventions

At the end of April, I attend a four-day magic convention in Buffalo, NY. Meeting other magicians at magic conventions always adds to a magical year. This convention is by invitation only and is limited to 200 of the top magicians in the world. Every new attendee is expected to perform before their peers. That’s what’s known as working under pressure. Since I went the first time 10 years ago, I’ve performed 5 times.

This year was different. There is one afternoon devoted to talks that are similar to TED talks. Last year I spoke with the organizer and suggested a talk about design and magic. Having graduated from Industrial Design from Carleton University, in Ottawa, I thought it would be informative to give magicians an idea about how to design products that are meant for magicians. Over a few weeks I put together a power point presentation and some examples of tricks I’ve designed. The presentation went really well, which was a relief because I was more nervous giving the talk than I was previously performing in the shows.

A Magical Year includes Cruise Ship Shows

From May through October, I perform just over 30 shows each season on the Canadian Empress. It is a small cruise ship that has capacity for 62 passengers. They have overnight cruises that run from 4-7 days long and they travel between Kingston and Quebec City on the St. Lawrence river. All the guests are adults, usually 50+. My show for this company is a 90-minute stand-up show. Once I set the show at the beginning of each season, it stays the same for all of the shows. The crew and audiences are great and I’m already looking forward to the 2026 season!

Halloween Magic

When the cruise season is over in mid-October, Halloween is just around the corner. One of my clients is the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. It is a historic village with original old buildings. Every Halloween, guest arrive to see the village, get some candy and see some amazing displays. For three years, I’ve been onsite to show smaller magic to smaller groups. Over the weekend, I’ll entertain hundreds of guests. The kids and parents are all dressed in costumes and it is fantastic to see their creativity. I’m already hired for next year and I know it’ll be just as fantastic.

Christmas Shows in 2025 – A Magical Year

Today I finished the last show of the year. It was a birthday party for an adult. These parties are so much fun. I also had lots of office parties. Companies that have entertainment at the holiday parties are great to work for because it shows how much they care about their staff. Many times the food at a party will be forgotten, but not the entertainment. It is the icing on the cake.

The End of 2025 – A Magical Year

At the end of the 2025 – a magical year, I have a bit of time to relax and reflect upon what I’ve done over the last 365 days. I wake up every morning, excited about what the day holds and the new dreams that will be turned into reality. I’ve already got some great plans for the new year. Those plans plus the interesting projects that will magically appear are sure to make for anther amazing year. 2026, I’m sure, will also be a magical year!

My Favourite Magicians

I’m often asked who are some of my favourite magicians. The list has grown since I started learning how to be a magician. Some of my favourite magicians are well known to the general public and others are fantastic, but less well known.

My First Favourite Magican

As luck would have it, I got interested in magic the same year that Canadian magician, Doug Henning, had his first American national TV special. At that time, in the mid-seventies, there were only three major American networks. Doug’s live special, which aired December 26, 1975, was watched by over 50 million Americans. That was almost a quarter of the entire population of the States that year.

Doug’s show was modern and feature unbelievable magic presented in a style that appealed to young people. It was definitely not your grandfather’s magic show.

Another of My Favourite Magicians

After Doug Henning retired from performing a new magician named David Copperfield appeared on the scene. His TV specials were all really well produced and featured some of the very best magic on the planet. David’s dedication to creating compelling plots to his magic allowed him to ride a wave of popularity for many years.

David paired his magic sequences with popular music of the day. Often times when I hear one of those pieces of music on the radio, one of his illusions will immediately pop into my mind. I don’t think that there are many magicians who have ever put so much effort into their presentations as Copperfield. His canon of work is incredible.

Less Well Known Favourite Magicians

Gene Anderson and Rick Wilcox are also two of my favourite magicians. Both have become good friends. I first met Gene at one of the first magic conventions I ever attended. It was held in Toronto. Fortunately, my dad’s mom lived there and I was able to stay with her while attending the convention.

Gene wasn’t a full-time magician, but was better than most magicians that performed for their living. His presentations were always really well thought out and funny. Over the years, he gave me good guidance about how to select magic for a show and how to create a presentation that fit well with my personality. I see Gene every year at a convention I attend every April.

I met Rick Wilcox at the same convention. He and his wife celebrated 25 years of performing at their 500-seat theatre in Wisconsin Dells. It is a tourist town, not unlike Branson, Missouri. Every year 10’s of thousands of visitors witness their show. The magic ranges in size from amazing up-close magic projected onto a screen to making a helicopter appear on stage.

Rick and Susan really project an energy and love of what they do and the 25 years that they’ve been performing at their theatre is testament to their ability to enchant family audiences.

You’re My Favourite Magician

Sometimes, after a show, audience members come up to me and say that I’m their favourite magician. With children, sometimes I’m the only magician they’ve ever seen, but with adults, I know they’ve seen more than one. There have been times when an adult came up to me and said that normally they don’t like magic shows, but they really enjoyed mine. That makes me feel good that the time and effort I spent creating and rehearsing a show is appreciated.

Magic Goes Wrong

Magic goes wrong when the trick fails. Sometimes is human error and other times it’s a technical malfunction. Either way, it’s not fun to experience for the performer.

If you perform magic long enough, you’re bound to make a mistake or two. Over my career I’ve had a few. If a mistake happens once, I chalk it up to bad luck. If the same mistake happens again, I feel I haven’t taken my job seriously enough.

The first step to eliminate mistakes is to determine what went wrong in the first place. The next step is to figure out why it went wrong. Only then is it possible to begin to devise a solution to the problem.

Magic Goes Wrong with a lack of Practice

The first step to prevent a trick from going wrong is to do enough practice. One wise magician wrote that practice is to discover everything that can go wrong with a trick. Only then can you feel confident presenting it in front of a paying audience. I like to practice for short periods of time over an extended period of time. That allows my brain and hands time to allow the trick to evolve gracefully.

Prop Failure

Magic goes wrong when a prop fails. For an audience, it isn’t always possible to know if a prop has failed because some props are made to appear like a normal object, but they aren’t. Some of the electronics that run my microphone or music have had problems, but having back-up systems helps to reduce the anxiety. I also buy the best quality audio equipment possible. It is more reliable and lasts longer.

When I design a new prop, the first one doesn’t usually become the last one. Once it is in the show, I discover ways to make it more efficient and effective. The second one is always a step up, but not necessarily the final prop. Having the persistence to keep making improvements separates great performers from average performers.

When Magic Goes Wrong is a Good Thing

There have been times when a mistake in a show requires quick thinking to mitigate disaster. Occasionally, the new way to complete the trick ends up being better than the way it was presented beforehand. Some performers intentionally create a minor problem in order to see where it leads them during a show. The results can sometimes be surprisingly good.

Making mistakes is being human. Figuring out solutions is being professional. Mistakes make for an interesting journey.

Travelling Magic Show

A travelling magic show takes many forms. Early in my career, for shows that were close to home, I sometimes used this unorthodox method of transportation. Not having handlebars to hold onto let me to carry my show in style. I always got some amazing looks from bystanders. And that’s a hockey bag on my back. So very Canadian.

A travelling Magic Show is essential to being able to thrive in the entertainment business. Unlike touring rock shows, I’ve never needed a fleet of tractor trailers. The largest show I ever toured required a five-ton truck. That’s about half the length of an eighteen-wheeler. There is always a balance between the amount of equipment for a show, the length of time it takes to set up the show and the size of vehicle to transport everything. Over the years, I’ve become very efficient at determining what’s essential and then learning how to pack it with skill.

Travelling by Car

All of my big travelling magic show days are behind me. As I’ve become better as a performer, I know that I don’t require all of the really big tricks to do an amazing job for my audiences. I liken myself to a big-name comedian who is able to present a fantastic evening of entertainment with only a microphone. My current shows fit into the back of a hatchback.

Weather is always a concern when travelling to a show. Many years ago, the alternator on my truck died and I gently coasted onto the side of the highway without power. Fortunately, I had CAA and the flatbed tow truck took me and my assistant to our show destination. We started the show only 10 minutes late. The following day, the alternator was repaired and we were back on our way.

Flying with a Travelling Magic Show

Flying to a destination for a show presents a whole new range of issues. A checked case cannot exceed a certain size or weight. That really reinforces the dictum of only taking what you need and making sure that it is well used. “Pack small, plays big” is a term that magicians use to describe squeezing the most entertainment value out of the minimal number of props. With those restrictions, it’s amazing that a really great show can be successful.

Travelling by Train

Sometimes a travelling magic show, moves by train. When I toured China, half of the travelling was by train and half by plane. The above photo was on a high-speed train. It was so smooth that the water bottle didn’t tip during the entire journey.

Trains load faster than planes, but the amount of space for cases is limited. Fortunately, I only had one large case and a carry-on sized bag. That was about all that could be accommodated.

On a plane, I would put my scissors in my checked case, but on the train in China, the case would be in the rail car. That was a problem as in China, all bags go through a scanner to remove restricted items. Unfortunately, the scissors needed to be left behind. The problem didn’t last for long, as my tour manager called ahead to the next city, Shanghai, and when we arrived another contact had a new pair of scissors for me.

On With the Show

When an audience watches a show, what they’re seeing is the tip of the iceberg. Moving equipment and getting to the tour destination is such a big part of performing that is never seen. Performers who are in the business for the long haul learn quickly how to pack efficiently and effectively to make the show run smoothly. It’s not something I anticipated in the beginning, but is a necessity.

Magic Inspires

Magic Inspires others to believe that nothing is impossible. It is a very optimistic artform. Where the laws of physics tell us what is not possible, magic says otherwise. When I saw a photo of the actor, Steve Martin, holding a cactus and a balloon, it inspired me to see if I could magically put a cactus inside a balloon. After two years of experimenting, I finally discovered the solution. Steve inspired me and if you keep reading, you’ll see how I inspired another literary artist.

When I invented how to put a cactus in a balloon, I never thought that one day a children’s author would want to include my trick into his book. Frank Cottrell-Boyce lives in England, which makes the connection even more amazing. I gave him permission to include the trick into his story. Frank sent me a copy after the book was published.

Magic Inspires Creativity

I love how looking outside the box inspires creativity for the work that I do. Artists observe and form new connections that make for some interesting projects. I never felt that my art would inspire others and it is a lovely feeling knowing that my creativity sparks someone else’s.

Below is the acknowledgement for my illusion at the back of the book. If you have any children that like a good mystery combined with magic, look for Frank’s book at either the local library, at your local bookstore or online. You won’t be disappointed. https://www.panmacmillan.com/blogs/books-for-children/frank-cottrell-boyce-books-guide

Let me Introduce you to Frank

Below is an interview Frank and I did together about his book. This was the first time we’d met. All of our previous interactions were via e-mail. I’m really happy to have met him online. His enthusiasm over e-mail was the exact same as in person. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9pE1Vg0zCQ. Enjoy!

Podcasts for Magicians

Podcasts for magicians is an important part of the magic underground. They provide insight into the way of thinking of many of the world’s top performers. In my case, I’ve flown under the radar of many magicians, but those in the know, have sought me out to talk about my journey in magic. What perhaps they find the most interesting about my career is that I studied product design at university before beginning my full-time career in magic.

Having a design background has helped my magic immensely and has allowed my creativity to flourish. Not only have I designed much of my own magic, I’ve also been hired to create new tricks for some of the other top performers around the world.

Podcasts for Magicians – Discourse in Magic

My friend, Jonah Babins, is a magician in Toronto. He has been producing his podcast over many years and this is the link to the episode that I’m interviewed. https://discourseinmagic.libsyn.com/exploring-creativity-with-chris-pilsworth

Jonah has been really consistent in creating podcasts over the years and has landed some great interviews. His methodology is a classic in business, that is: do what you love, learn on the job and be consistent in creating content.

Podcasts for Magicians – Scott Wells

Scott is a friend of mine. We met for the first time in 2013 at an exclusive magic convention in New York. Scott doesn’t go anywhere at a magic convention without is microphone and recorder. Using this technique Scott has compiled an impressive number of interviews on his podcast, The Magic Word. Here is the link to one of my interviews with Scott: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/561-chris-pilsworth

Having made a few interviews with Scott over the years has been great fun. His questions are always insightful and well thought out. This really highlights Scott’s depth of knowledge about our artform.

A Fantastic Learning Resource

I wish podcasts were available when I was starting in magic. The amount of incredible information is really astounding. I’m sure my path to becoming the professional that I am today would have been shorter had I been exposed to all of the interviews. The ability for young performers to acquire hard-won knowledge is unprecedented in this day and age. I’m really happy that I’m able to share what I’ve learned with other up and coming magicians. It certainly helps to keep our artform vibrant and alive.

30 Year Old Birthday Party

30 year old birthday party ideas are quite varied. Having a magician perform is not as uncommon as you may think. Within the last month I’ve performed my show at three parties celebrating a thirtieth birthday.

Why Have a Magician When Your Friend Turns 30

I don’t know about other magicians, but I really enjoy performing for this age group. They’re well beyond their teen awkwardness and have a good sense about who they are and where they’re going. This creates a really warm and friendly environment in which to perform.

Comedy Magic at a 30 Year Old Birthday Party

When it comes to audiences in their thirties, I’m never too hip for the room. That means the laughter is spontaneous and frequent for my audiences at a 30 year old birthday party. I’ve taken many acting courses including improv comedy, so I’m really happy to take a bit of a detour in my planned show to create some comedy gold based on the reactions and comments from the audience. It makes for a very playful atmosphere.

Volunteers During the Show

I love incorporating volunteers into the show. Everyone who volunteers is always treated with great respect and they in turn become stars in their own right. Each volunteer is different, so I like to make them feel comfortable and tailor my interactions with them. The birthday guest is always included and that is great fun for their friends. At smaller parties it is not uncommon for some of their friends to take photos or video clips. They are wonderful reminders of the fantastic party and show.

Adult Birthday Parties

In this blog I’ve highlighted 30 somethings, however, I’ve actually presented shows at birthday parties from 4 to 104, quite literally! A show is more than the icing on the cake at a party. It is what the guest will remember for a very long time, long after the food and gifts are forgotten.

Magic Catalogues

When I began to learn magic, a great source of wonder and inspiration came from magic catalogues. Magic shops in North America and Europe would publish an annual catalogue with all the old tricks plus new ones that had been created during the year.

Louis Tannen is a magic company in New York City. The catalogue below was published over 50 years ago and the company is still in business. They have a great shop in NYC. If you visit the city and are interested in magic, it’s worth a visit.

Artwork in Magic Catalogues

Most catalogues were illustrated. A few would use photographs, but they were more expensive to produce. Usually, the company would have a few illustrators that would create the artwork for their catalogues. Some of the artists had a cartoon style, while others were more dramatic.

First Trick

The bottom trick from the above photo was one of the first tricks I ever bought. A dollar these days doesn’t seem like much, but when you’re 11 with a small allowance in the late ’70s, that was a few weeks of saving.

The trick, when it arrived was very disappointing because the method seemed too easy. I persisted and practiced and it made it into my show and was a really good trick!

The Tricky Bottles was a fun trick with a volunteer. They always had difficulty matching the magician’s actions, even though they followed along identically. It stayed into the show until I accidentally broke one of the bottles. I don’t recall why, but I never replaced the trick.

Catalogue Magic Created by Friends

The trick in the illustration below was invented by Don Wayne. He was a consultant for many years for David Copperfield. One or more of Don’s tricks would always be in one of David’s annual TV specials.

A few years before he died, I had a chance to work with Don Wayne. I consult for a great magician named Rick Wilcox. Every year I go to Rick’s theatre to help him improve the show. This time, Rick also invited Don. We had a blast that week creating some new mysteries for Rick’s show. I was really fortunate to get a glimpse of Don’s creative process!

Old Tricks in Magic Catalogues

The Dancing Cane trick has been around for many decades. Sometimes I like an old trick, but want it to look current. Take a look at the next photo and you can see how transitioning from a cane to an umbrella can do the trick.

Catalogue Magic has Changed

In a future blog, I’ll talk about how the catalogue is no longer in use and what replaced it in the digital age.