Alex Black arrives in a shroud of mystery and magic

Chennaiites are in for a real treat now that he is back in town for the second time to perform some jaw-dropping stunts.

His first show was on April 20 in the Russian Center of Science and Culture, and will extend till June. What makes his acts special is that they not only combine magic and tricks but a little bit of theatre, daredevilry, circus and a lot of grandeur! In between rehearsals, he tells us that he is glad to be back in the city. “I have performed all over the world and try to improvise in every show, so I am sure the audience will get to experience magic like never before,” says Alex Black. When asked if this is only his stage name, he smiles, “Yes, my name on my passport is different and longer.”

Alex’s story is somewhat similar to that of many Indian graduates. “My parents didn’t want me to pursue magic as a career even though they knew I was passionate about it. However, once I proved that I was capable of earning fame and money, they supported my decision,” he says.

Based on his shows in Chennai so far, he feels, “The biggest difference between performing abroad and here is that a lot of Indian magicians still perform classic tricks without venturing into new territories — like pulling a flower out of a hat. The audience has grown too comfortable with it and that’s why the popularity of magic shows has come down over the past few years, in my opinion.” The solution to this lies in experimenting with styles, according to Black. “I draw inspiration from every country that I travel to, and try to incorporate it in my shows. This is what makes me stand apart,” he shares.

For the benefit of his fans, he has uploaded a video called ‘Magic Gift from Alex Black’ on his YouTube channel. “I believe that more and more people should learn magic. In this video, I have demonstrated a trick for beginners, so I wish people watch it, learn and show off to their friends,” he signs off.