{"id":285682,"date":"2025-07-23T16:54:16","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T16:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/285682\/"},"modified":"2025-07-23T16:54:16","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T16:54:16","slug":"edinburgh-street-performer-on-the-podium-at-the-magic-olympics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/285682\/","title":{"rendered":"Edinburgh street performer on the podium at the magic “Olympics”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Matthew Keys, an Edinburgh-based magician, has just returned from Turin where he spent 10 days competing at F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Internationale des Soci\u00e9t\u00e9s Magiques (FISM), the \u201cOlympics\u201d of magic.<\/p>\n

On Saturday he won third prize in the new category of World Champion Of Street Magic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Out of more than 100 applicants, 29 were invited to compete in Turin and just twelve were deemed to be of a high enough standard to compete in the final. Matt said it was a real surprise to get through in the tough weather conditions and against the high standard set by other acts. <\/p>\n

He said: \u201cThis is a brand new category so it\u2019s a historic moment as FISM recognises the ancient art of street magic, which many believe is where performance magic began.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe competition took place in Turin, Italy and was organised by FISM in cooperation with the host partner Magic Masters. The conference and competition happens every three years with around 5,000 magicians attending from all over the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s regarded as the highest level at which you can compete as a magician. I have a nine month old, and was torn about leaving him and my partner to go off and compete, but we\u2019re all glad I made the decision to go to Italy. I\u2019m so happy to bring back a prize and I\u2019ve already had offers to perform at festivals across Europe because of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m now hoping to use momentum from this win as a platform to organise a little magic and street arts festival on the Plymouth Barbican and in South East Cornwall where I grew up and my parents still live. In Edinburgh, I hope to one day open a small magic theatre as I think it is the perfect city to celebrate magic and there is a great community of magicians here. Several of them were in Italy and offering kind words and support as I competed.\u201d<\/p>\n

And as for the trick he perfected for Turin, Matthew explained it in detail (without giving it away of course).<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI performed a comedy magic show called Matt Von Trap, and had to adapt to entertain an Italian crowd. Using jokes I\u2019d pre-recorded on a sound board and mixing mime and visual comedy with the existing magic act I performed to a strict 25 minute time limit \u2013 having to cut from my usual 40 minute act.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI performed a mixture of classic magic and new effects. Turning a bubble into a coin. Producing another coin by peeling the letters \u2018n\u2019 and \u2018o\u2019 off \u00a0from a tattoo on my arm that says \u2018nothing\u2019. Leaving a \u2018thing\u2019 on my arm and the letters N and O burst into a fireball to become another coin. Nothing up my sleeve!\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI plunged my hand into a bear trap to find a signed card. This is an innovative version of the linking rings with my own unique choreography.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI made several audience members knights of the guild of the bag of mystery as we hunted for a missing \u20ac100 and saved it from the jaws of the lemon of doom.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve now got invitations to perform in a few festivals around Europe and I\u2019m looking forward to taking an act I\u2019ve honed on the streets of Edinburgh to new audiences.\u201d<\/p>\n

Matthew can be found on the Royal Mile \u2013 and this is his website \u2013 \u00a0https:\/\/royalmilemagic.co.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Matthew Keys receives award from head judge Joshua Jay (Photo Credit:Felice Ling)<\/p>\n

\"\"Matthew Keys (3rd), The Charming Jay (2nd) and Eric Evans (1st). (Photo Credit: Felice Ling).<\/p>\n

\"\"FISM Awards Ceremony Turin 19th July (Credit: Felice Ling)<\/p>\n

\"\"Matthew Keys back in Edinburgh<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.<\/p>\n

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