A TEENAGER has set sights on giving magicians like Dynamo and David Blaine a run for their money.

Nathaniel Allen, 15, is already a member of the prestigious Magic Circle, having developed a taste for card tricks while still in junior school.

During the last five years he claims to have performed for more than 3,000 people and has been named magician of the month several times, after performing at the Magic Circle headquarters in London.

So keen is the Eastwood Academy student to perform, he collared Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood and contestant actress Lisa Riley when they appeared in a panto at the Cliffs Pavilion, in December.

He was also voted one of the top four street magicians in the UK by ITV2's Tricked star Ben Hanlin and took part in a workshop with him.

Nathaniel, of Beverley Gardens, Southend, said: “It all started when a school friend showed me a card trick, but wouldn’t tell me how it was done. I went away and learned a load of card tricks and showed him, but wouldn’t tell him how they were done, so he gave in and told me about his trick.

“I do close up and street magic like Dynamo and David Blaine. My goal is to be a world famous magician.

“It was great meeting Ben Hanlin. I was chosen as one of four people from across England to get to meet him and he shared advice and tips on magic.”

Nathaniel who has also auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent, hopes to go on tour next year during school holidays.

He said: “I do street magic here, but I want to go to other places around the countrywith a friend. I love the reaction I get from people.

“Magic is great because takes the stress out of people’s everyday lives.

“If they stop while they are walking down the street and watch my magic they forget about their problems for a while.”

Nathaniel is studying for his GCSEs and will go on to do Alevels including psychology, but his future plans lay firmly in the world of magic.

He said: “When I have done my A-levels I want to just perform magic. I already do weddings and events, so I want to build on that to earn a living.”

 

NATHANIEL REVEALS HIS FIVE FAVOUTITE TRICKS

 

1 Putting someone’s phone in a bottle and then retrieving it

2 Simple card tricks, such as asking someone to chose a card and then putting it in the middle of the deck, but it always comes out on top

3 Appearing to swallow a signed coin and then cutting it out of my arm

4 Doing card routines to music

5 Writing a label on a bottle, waving my hand and the label is then inside the bottle, which is filled with liquid and has never

To contact Nathaniel about his magic routine, email nathanielallen400@gmail.com or he can be found on Twitter: @aceallen4 or Facebook: nathaniel ace allen