BIG CONGRATULTAIONS TO MATTHEW WRIGHT for winning the coveted title The Magic Circle Close-up Magician of the Year 2008.Many big professional names have won this prestigious award for the DevanoTrophy, the cash prize but most importantly the title which added to a performer’s cv adds real lustre and high profile awareness for bookers looking for the very best in magic entertainment.

As I was working on the evening in question I only caught the first half of the show but did see Matthew’s presentation which was magical, fun and entertaining and did lift him above in my view of the other entrants. Many magicians did good magic, performed well but many were demonstrators of magic tricks. Matthew added real personality and engaged well with his audience and when you look at his background you can understand why.

After a series of creative jobs – photographer, art gallery owner etc he turned professional six years ago, sold his car and lived for a few months in Chicago and took lessons from Eugene Burger and also had contact with Jeff McBride. He’s gone to university to study special effects and puppetry at the Central School of Speech and Drama. He’s also worked in the hardest of performing theatres – busking in the streets.He deserves to make a break through having given total commitment to his pursuit of perfection and entertainment. How many of us really go for it?

It’s no coincidence that Romany also went to the U.S. to study performance with Jeff McBride and returned to the UK where she won the Magic Circle Stage Magician of The Year. This has led to a big boost in her career with a full engagement book at some of the best venues.

My very best wishes and good luck to Matthew for  his future career.

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