Adam Mada
Adam Mada, known professionally as The Wizard of Oz, is an Australian magician, entertainer, magic/illusion designer & director, speaker and magic consultant. He is the Australian magic & Illusion associate for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and the Magic/Illusion designer & director for Possum Magic. He is the resident magician for Studio 3 (TV series) on ABC3, and the famed weekly live cabaret El Circo (41 oxford st darlinghurst nsw 2000) in Sydney Australia, he was the inspiration for 2 characters in the Novel Siren by Tara Moss, Adam was cast in Band of Magicians, supergroup in 2015.
Adam Mada | |
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Born | 1979 Canberra, Australia |
Nationality | Australian |
Occupation | magician, entertainer, magic/Illusion designer & director, speaker and magic consultant |
Known for | Possum Magic, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Band of Magicians, Magic Teapot. |
Early life
Mada became interested in magic in his youth performing for family, friends and private functions before deciding to pursue magic full-time when he was 21. He attended the Jeff McBride Magic Masterclass in Las Vegas, USA with Eugene Burger and has studied conjuring theory with mentors from South Africa, Venezuela, France, Singapore and Australia.[1] Mada is a scholar of magic interested in the social dynamics of performance magic, often advising academics and artists on magic theory and practice[2]
Magic/Illusion Consulting, Design & Direction
- National Institute of Dramatic Art (N.I.D.A) Appointed Magic and Illusion Tutor and director, 2019.[3][4]
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Australian Magic & Illusion associate, currently playing in Melbourne.[5][6]
- Possum Magic Magic and Illusion designer and director for the 2019 stage adaptation of Mem Fox's Australian classic.[7][8]
Fooling David Copperfield
2016 - Australian radio station 2Day FM invited Adam to create a special trick that could be taught to Hit 30 radio personality Angus O'laughlin who then performed to David Copperfield (illusionist) successfully fooling him back stage in the Copperfield theatre.[9][10]
Live Performance / Tours
2016 - Mada along with his proteges Lucas Itrawan and Ash Hodgkinson (Cardistry) were invited to perform at the Royal Bombay Yacht Club to celebrate the life of India's famous radio broadcaster the late Hamid Sayani brother of Ameen Sayani. Mada's show Mada's Marvels toured India funded by The Australian High Commission, The Australia India Council and Mumbai Lit Fest. Author and researcher John Zubrzycki toured with Mada's Marvels, presenting a lecture on the Australian - Indian connection through conjuring and magic as part of the performance.[11][12][13][14][15][16]
Adam produced the first ever Short and Sweet (festival) Magic and Comedy festival in 2016.[17] 2014 Junior Australian Magic Champions "CARDISTRY" also coached and created by Adam Mada took out the Judges and Peoples vote.[18]
In 2015 Adam was cast in the second version of the production Band of Magicians, joining James Galea, Ben Hanlin and Brett Loudermilk. Previous magicians included Justin Willman, Justin Flom and Nate Staniforth.[19]
Mada was invited to headline the 2014 Hoopla festival with his Mada's Marvels show in Darling Harbour.[20][21][22] He is a founding artist of the long running El Circo Cabaret show running weekly at Sydney cabaret venue Slide now in its 7th year.[23] He has also maintained long residencies at Sydney nightspots De Nom, IVY, Tharens, The Chamber of Secrets[2] and is magician in residence at experimental cabaret show El Circo.[24][25] Mada has written, directed and performed a number of stage shows including "Mada vs. Vegas – the Duelling Magicians" at the Melbourne Magic Festival and Adelaide Fringe.,[26] He has also toured with Australian variety productions, most recently playing the character Two-Face in "The Batman Follies of 1929.",[1] is a Headline act for the 2013 national Gangsters ball tour.,[27] Mada is playing the character Rasputin in Slides 2013 production of El circo Blanc.[28]
Television
Mada is the current resident magician on Studio 3 for ABC 3 television Australia.[29]
Adam starred in the Network Ten 2014 Christmas special on Studio 10 with his famous magic drink routine.[30]
Mada appeared alongside magicians Nicholas J. Johnson and Clare Werbeloff in the 2010 series The Real Hustle for Channel 9.[31] He consulted on Sleeping Beauty, creating an illusion for the film's opening sequence.[32] In "Binge", an episode of ABC Television documentary Whatever! The Science of Teens, he worked with Neuroscientist John Currie Prof. John Currie to illustrate the effects of binge drinking in teenagers by applying magic techniques to memory tests.[33] During the 2012 season of reality television competition Australia's Got Talent, Mada collaborated with choreographer Sarah Boulter on a levitation routine for her dance group Ev & Bow.[34]
Speaking
In 2013 Journalist Joe Hildebrand invited Mada to speak about invisibility on a panel at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia including other speakers Brian Schmidt and Ron McCallum.[35]
Radio
Mada hosted weekly radio segment 'Wonder Thunder' for FBi radio station in 2009, presenting the history of magic and performing effects live on air.[36]
Charity Work
Mada has contributed to several charity organisations with performances, workshops and fund raising. Notably Mada headlined the World Aids Day Gala in 2013, for the Aids Trust of Australia[23][38] in 2012 Adam was WWF Earth Hour ambassador,[39] prompting criticism from journalist Andrew Bolt[40] In 2013 Mada became an ambassador for the Starlight Children's Foundation[41] He is a coach for the starlight captains[42] as well as raising funds form his public shows as part of the Melbourne Magic Festival Mada's Marvels[43][44]
Collaborations
Off stage, Mada has sought to broaden the appeal for magic in Australia through collaborations on film, television, radio, and literature. He has spoken publicly about the need for better support for small business, especially in the arts and entertainment sector.[45][46]
In 2012, Mada worked with choreographer Farhan Hassan and costume designer Glenna Ng to create 'The Chamber of Secrets Magic Show' at the National Drama Center in Singapore.[47]
Other Collaborations
- 2012: Character in Carol Barroso's short film "The Diamond Sea".[48]
- 2012: Special guest for the Alex Davies mixed reality installation.[49]
- 2011: Guest lecturer for the Creative Accounting series at the University of Technology Sydney Gallery.[50]
- 2009: Subject of contemporary artist's Kathryn Grays work "Contingency Plan".[51]
References
- Cerabona, Ron. "Double Effect of a Split Personality", The Canberra Times, Canberra, 3 November 2012. Retrieved on 2013-01-29.
- "Mada's Touch" Archived 27 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Time Out Sydney, Sydney, 3 April 2009. Retrieved on 2013-01-29.
- "Hocus Pocus Magic Buried Deep in the Bowels of the State Library".
- "The Backstage Magic of Performance". Arts Hub. Arts Hub.
- "Harry Potter the Play". Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- "Broadway World Review". Broadway World Review. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- "Possum Creative Team". Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- "Possum Magic Review". South Sydney Herald. South Sydney Herald. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- Boy, Social. "Angus Learns Magic For David Copperfield!". Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- Boy, Social. "David Copperfield, The Master Magician AND Illusionist". Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- Trade, corporateName= Department of Foreign Affairs and. "Australian High Commission in". india.highcommission.gov.au. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- "Australian magician Adam Mada performs in Delhi - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- Singh, Shivani. "Adam Mada casts a spell on Delhi, Gurugram". The Hindu. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ANI (15 November 2016). "Australia's famed Mada's Marvels' magicians to perform in Delhi". Business Standard. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- "Australian magician, Adam Mada to perform in Delhi". The GenX Times. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- "tying-down-the-indian-rope-trick-in-mumbais-shivaji-park".
- "Short+Sweet"
- ""CARDISTRY WIN"". Archived from the original on 14 February 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- "Band Of Magicians"
- "Mada's Marvels"
- "Becoming a Magician" Archived 2 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- "Marvels"
- "Adam Mada Illusionist", The Western Weekender, Sydney, 2013-13-12
- Casben, Brett. "El Circo". Australian Stage. Archived from the original on 29 March 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
- "Live – El Circo" Archived 16 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Samesame.com.au, Sydney, 1 April 2008. Retrieved on 2013-04-30.
- Noonan, Amy. "Mada vs. Vegas – the Duelling Magicians", Adelaide Now, Adelaide, 24 February 2010. Retrieved on 2013-01-29.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 August 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Watch Now! - ABC ME". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Studio 10". 25 December 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- Knox, David (6 September 2010). "Airdate: The Real Hustle". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
- "A Gag-Worthy Illusion", iTricks Magic News, 17 January 2012. Retrieved on 2013-02-04.
- Mada, Adam (13 December 2011). "Whatever!". Vimeo. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
- iTricks. "Standing Ovation After Illusionist Adds Levitation to Australia's Got Talent Dance Routine". Retrieved 4 February 2013.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 June 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Ellis, Tim. "Adam Mada's Weekly Radio Show", Magic Unlimited, 19 May 2009. Retrieved on 2013-02-04.
- Purcell, John. "Ten Terrifying Questions". Booktopia. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
- "Adam Mada with NSW Governor", adammada.com, Sydney, 2013-17-12
- "Earth Hour 2012 – Earth Hour Ambassador Adam Mada". WWF Australia. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
- Bolt, Andrew. "Earth Hour: I won't buy what such people sell". Retrieved 30 April 2013.
- "10 must-do things this weekend". www.heraldsun.com.au. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Homepage". The Melbourne Magic Festival™. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Starlight Children's Foundation Australia". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- Darnell, Elva. "Adam Mada", ABC News, 18 August 2010. Retrieved on 8 April 2013
- "Making a Full-time Living in the Performing Arts". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
- Allan, Ruby (24 July 2012). "Adam Mada: The Chamber of Secrets Magic Show". The RA Show. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
- Barroso, Carol. "The Diamond Sea". Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
- "New Art now in creative development". Artery. 13 March 2012. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
- "UTS:Gallery Events and Programs". University of Technology Sydney. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
- Gray, Kathryn. "Contingency Plan". Retrieved 4 February 2013.