Masters of magic

Victoria native Murray Hatfield and his partner Teresa Midbo bring their Magic ’n’ Miracles show to his hometown for the first time

“You’ve heard of the classic cutting a woman in half,” said Canada’s Magician of the Year, Murray Hatfield, on the phone. “This is a variation that’s unique in the world of magic.”

Hatfield’s alluding to one of several new tricks wowing audiences in his Magic ’n’ Miracles tour – scheduled to appear in Victoria, Jan. 10.

And like any man of mystery, he’s a master at creating suspense.

His talent has not only helped make Magic ’n’ Miracles one of the biggest magic shows in Canada, it’s regarded as one of the best in the entire world.

The show benefits the Firefighters Burn Fund and several other charities in Canada, but that’s not the only reason performers covet a spot on the show’s marquee. Making it as a headliner on the Magic ’n’ Miracles tour is sure sign in the magic world that you’re somebody.

“The people that I bring in are the highest echelon of the performing world,” Hatfield said.

But talent alone isn’t enough to guarantee a spot on the tour. Hatfield looks for a combination of magicians that are different from each other, but complimentary.

This year’s theme is comedy based.

Comedy magician Tom Burgoon from Kansas City is known for his comedic routine and powers of hypnotism. He will share the stage with Nels Cremean, a physical comedian who uses techniques from Ringling Bros., Commedia Del’Arte and Cirque du Soleil.

Danny Alan will also make an appearance. Alan has won several awards including, first place from the Society of American Magicians and the Hofzinser Award for Excellence in Classical Magic.

But it’s Hatfield and his partner Teresa Midbo who host the entire production. And after 18 years of being involved with Magic ’n’ Miracles, Hatfield says he stills finds new tricks.

“We create an entirely new show each year. So, I spend a good portion of each year searching the world for new illusions, new ideas, new magic that we can take and then craft into something that suits us.”

This year they’ve added a new video projection system that allows for some David Blaine-style sleight-of-hand street magic. For Hatfield, known for his large-scale illusions, the street-style magic provides an entirely new element to his show.

“It’s such a powerful kind of magic, whereas with illusions, with magic that involves props, people always seem to suspect that the prop is doing it, that there’s a gimmick somewhere. When it’s just you and a deck of cards and a person a foot away, it just touches them on an entirely different level.”

For the first time in his involvement, he’ll be performing Magic ’n’ Miracles in front of his “hometown” audience in Victoria.

Hatfield recently moved to the Capital Region to take over Tony’s Trick and Joke Shop from longtime friend and fellow magician Tony Eng.

Magic ’n’ Miracles takes place at the Royal Theatre on Jan. 10, with performances at 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for the first, and $10 for each additional ticket.

Call 1-800-268-7371.

alavigne@vicnews.com

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