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Chris North
Manage episode 495154076 series 3552922
Magic's unpredictability takes centre stage in this captivating conversation with Chris North, celebrating his 60th year in show business and what an incredible career he’s had. From borrowing rings that go flying during rough seas to audience members pouring beer on his head mid-illusion, Chris shares the hilarious mishaps that have shaped his remarkable career.
At 77, Chris looks back on his journey that began when he was just 17. After winning the popular TV talent show "New Faces" in 1976 (in dramatic fashion, his competitor was disqualified!), he went on to inherit Robert Harbin's position performing the iconic Zigzag Lady illusion on a round-the-world cruise. This lucky break launched a 21-year relationship with P&O Cruises and established Chris as one of Britain's premier illusionists.
What truly distinguishes Chris's career is his chameleon-like ability to reinvent himself. From his early days as "Illusionist Chris North" to creating comedy illusion act "Trickstars," rock-themed "Rock Magic," the elderly character "Jerry Hattrick," and now his Victorian-themed performances, Chris has constantly evolved with the times. This adaptability has been his secret to longevity in an ever-changing entertainment landscape. As he explains, "When you're going back to venues you've done before, it wasn't that they didn't like it, it was 'Oh, it's Chris North again.' So we kept reinventing ourselves."
Chris now performs intimate Victorian parlour shows for audiences under 50 people, bringing his own portable setup to create magical experiences in any venue. His stories of buzzsaws, levitations, escapology, and near-disasters at sea offer a fascinating glimpse into a life dedicated to creating wonder, even when things don't go exactly as planned.
Discover how this magical journey has shaped Chris North into not just a master illusionist, but a master of adaptation and reinvention. Listen now for a masterclass in thriving through six decades of magical evolution.
Chris North's Desert Island Tricks:
- Zig-Zag Lady
- Super X levitation
- Ring in Nest of Boxes
- Buzz Saw Illusion
- Fire Through Arm
- The Dizzy Limit
- Escapology
- The Collector
Banishment. Ignoring Constructive Criticism
Book. The Magic of Robert Harbin
Item. Wife
Find out more about the creators of this Podcast at www.alakazam.co.uk
Chapters
1. Magic at Sea: The QE2 Mishap (00:00:00)
2. Chris North: New Faces Winner (00:01:38)
3. The Zigzag Lady Illusion (00:03:32)
4. Ferry Magic: Levitation in Cold Waters (00:06:42)
5. The Frightening Buzzsaw Illusion (00:10:20)
6. Beer-Soaked Performance: Fire Through Arm (00:15:15)
7. The Dizzy Limit & Escapology (00:19:02)
8. From Chris North to Victorian Magic (00:32:00)
9. Handling Criticism & Magic Community Values (00:41:20)
103 episodes
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