Up-and-coming magician bringing floating objects and mind-reading to Northern Rivers shows

WATCHING world-renowned Australian illusionist and escape artist Paul Cosentino on the 2011 season of Australia’s Got Talent sparked Aiden Schofield’s love of magic.

The Brisbane-based magician first began performing simple card tricks in the school playground at lunchtime. By high school he had branched out into Rubik’s Cube magic and stage magic.

“In magic you have everything from close-up tricks like cards, coins and other everyday objects you can borrow from people, through to big stage illusions like making people appear and disappear or cutting people in half,” he said.

“I’m kind of in between. In this show I make some things float and do a few tricks like mind-reading and one with confetti, which is a cool one.

“I just love magic and people seem to like it.”

When he’s not performing, the 25-year-old works as a stagehand, helping set up concerts in Brisbane for artists such as English singer Ed Sheeran when he toured the city earlier this year.

Schofield also enjoys watching other magicians perform whenever he can, travelling to events such as the Adelaide Fringe and the Melbourne Magic Festival.

“It’s interesting seeing how different magicians put on shows,” he said. “Some are very theatrical and have lots of music, while others don’t have any at all.”

He said it is relatively rare for magicians to perform public shows outside of corporate functions and private events such as birthday parties.

While his upcoming Northern Rivers Trivial Trickery shows are taking place during the school holidays, Schofield said the performance isn’t aimed specifically at children.

“I’ve designed it with adults in mind, but kids will still understand everything and love the magic,” he said.

Trivial Trickery is at Byron Theatre Friday July 31.

For more information and to book, visit aidenschofieldmagic.com