Weekend Exclusive | The great illusionist Cyril unplugged!

AXN India recently revived magical experiences for audiences as it premiered Cyril’s Family Vacation: Hawaii Edition .The world’s most renowned illusionist Cyril is all set to reveal his personal side as he takes his “family” on a much needed vacation.

 

Adgully caught up with the magical man himself as he shares interesting trivia of his journey into the universe of magic.

 

Cyril who has earlier starred in AXN’s previous show “Simply Cyril” says, “ My magical journey has been very interesting. When I started magic, there was no internet and there were not enough resources.  We went to the library to know more about tricks in magic yet the information was very limited. Magic was a much protected sacred platform in those days. If you had to learn magic, you had to learn it the traditional way and work your way to become worthy of being trained by a teacher or master.”

 

Cyril added that in his hometown Los Angeles he did not know many people who would teach him the art of magic. The turning point in his life arrived when at the age of 10, his close friends and family gifted him 10 private lessons with a real magician on his birthday. He exclaims that these lessons escalated his life.

 

Recalling his first brief encounter with magic, he says, “I first witnessed magic when I was seven years old. I was in Las Vegas and I saw a real life magician on stage. He took off his white gloves, threw them off and they turned into a white bird. He then covered the white bird with a fabric, whipped it off and it turned into a beautiful lady all in white. He covered her back with the fabric, whipped it again and the bird flew back into the distance. That was the most magical thing I had seen as a kid.” He also wittily cites how after watching the show, he tried to make glass move and change things; until the age of 10 when he realized that magic was an illusion.

 

There have been many inspirational magicians all over the world who have served to be sources of inspiration for Cyril but one of his favourites is David Copperfield. Personally, Cyril believes that the most magical thing about magic is when it has an impact on someone’s life and when he is capable of bringing about a positive change, besides providing entertainment through the art.

 

Reminiscing an incident which has deeply affected him, he said, “There was a 13 year old girl who had been diagnosed with cancer from the age of 10. It could not be treated and she had a short life ahead said the doctors. She was a big fan of my magic. It happened to be the only thing that made her happy. The doctors connected with me through Make A Wish Foundation and I decided to surprise her by going to her house. When she saw me, she turned into a bright child. Her parents said she had not smiled that way since a long time. It was a very humbling experience for me.  Even when the little girl passed away, her parents wrote to me, saying she had been in peace through the magical experience.”

 

On being quizzed about his biggest achievement, he exclaimed that he is living his achievement everyday as he meets new people belonging to distinct cultures and races.

 

Speaking about the wonders that magic can work Cyril says, “Through magic, I am able to communicate. The language barriers are broken down by the common element of magic that binds people together. Magic is a universal language that makes people happy; bringing joy and happiness to others. I am proud to be a magician.”

 

Cyril who is on his first trip to India said that he loves the choreography in Bollywood movies, although he admits to not having watched many Hindi movies.

 

With utmost humility, he mentions that he would always continue to be a student of magic all through his life. The only thing that he bears in mind while performing is that it should be fun.

 

Talking about his magic, he said that he simulates. “If I can see something in my mind and imagine it, and if I can see the steps playing out then I can make it work,” he asserted.

 

Cyril also loves cooking and eating food. Had he not been a magician, he would have been a chef says Cyril. He would love to work at a small restaurant where people could come along with their friends and have a good time. Japanese food is his favourite cuisine.

 

He signs off by saying that magic needs constant innovations; even the same old magic needs to be told in a newer way. | By Aditi Popat [aditi(at)adgully.com]