INTERVIEW - MATT PARRO

1 November 2022

Hi Matt, How are you today?
Very well thanks Phil. Thanks for inviting me along to be interviewed.

Thank you for coming along, Ok what first inspired you to wnat to be a magician and when did you turn professional?
As a child I, was always interested in magic, I, had magic sets and books. The problem was I, would always start a book in the middle to get to the 'good stuff and not have a clue what moves they were talking about. Therefore could not work out how to do the tricks. My real start in magic didn't happen until I, was 18. I, saw Derren Brown's TV Series 'Mind Control' and I, was was blown away. After that I, started reading articles online and would record the David Blaine specials on Channel 4 and would watch them back and try to work the tricks out.

I, would then practice every day learning new moves and tricks that I, had seen on videos/DVDs and short tricks online (there was no YouTube back then).

I, rang up Andy Hart after finding his number on the Sussex Magic Circle Website and asked to come along to the club. I, remember my first few visits to the club and absolutely loved it! There was a good bunch of friendly characters that made me feel very
welcome.

Not long after practicing magic I, got my first few paid gigs. My first gigs were working in the soap shop 'Lush during their late night shopping evenings over Christmas. I'd entertain the customers with magic and it added something unique to their shopping experience. It was a good place to start.

Before you were a magician, did you have a PROPER job?
When I, was at school I, worked at my local Tesco (9.5 hours a week - so not full time).

When I, was at college I, also worked at my local BBC radio station filming and editing videos for their website.

The BBC also had another company where I, taught computing for beginners (to the older generation), filming and editing to teenagers and a web design module for a city & guilds journalism course.

Who is your biggest inspiration, and why?
I, guess I'll have to say Derren Brown because that's what got me into magic. Plus he's a legend!

Your 3 favourite magicians?
David Copperfield
Lance Burton
David Blaine
Derren Brown
(Sorry that's 4) Its a tough one, I'll let you off!

Magician Magicians (Not really known to the public)
Jason Latimer
Greg Wilson
Dimond Jim Tyler
Favourite street magician?
Gazzo

Ahh... Ok favourite street magician at SMC?
Dave Croucher - Great Busker!

Ahh..Ok favourite street magician at SMC with tattoos and a baseball cap?
I, can't think of anyone right now!

OK then, moving on - Favourite type of event to perform at?
I'd say a corporate event during the drinks reception or dinner. If it's an event with multiple magicians that's always a good laugh.

I, also like performing at events or for companies that I, have an interest in, SO mainly sports or gaming/technology.

One thing that I, really enjoy and is very popular at the moment is a 30 minute small cabaret show to everyone at the end of a meal.
What's your favourite close up effect to perform?
I'd say Extreme Burn - The reaction that can get is just crazy!

Are you still performing the same 4 tricks?
I, am a strong believer that you can be an excellent magician performing only 4-5 tricks.

I, of course when working can perform (and often do perform) many more than the 4-5 tricks that I, would say are my go to effects.

These 4-5 tricks are the ones I, feel are the strongest tricks I, perform and as you normally have a limited time with a group want to make sure they see the best magic possible in the time available.

What's the biggest event you have performed at?
I, have performed at many big events over the years.

But I, would say probably for the duration of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships or a Wedding in Abu Dhabi where I, had to make the wedding rings appear (they would not tell me how much they were worth and I, could only have them for about 3 minutes before I, was due to perform the trick).

Who are the most famous people you have performed to, also who was the most amazed? The most famous people are probably: James Corden, Russell Brand, Eddie Redmayne and Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed from Rocky).
The most amazed were: Trevor McDonald, Tim Henman and James Corden.

Would you ever do Britain's Got Talent?
I, don't think so... I, applied for the very first series. I, didn't know what to expect from the show back then.
The audition process was very painful. Luckily I, didn't get through... Which I was very happy about as for the first 5 years they really targeted and humiliated magicians. However, I, think it is much better now.

Any tips or tricks for performing at corporate events?
Turn up early, always be professional, look smart, smile and enjoy yourself.

Any advice for anyone wanting to become a full-time magician (apart from don't do it?)
It's hard work, a lot of work goes on behind the scenes, whether that's emails, websites, invoices, accounts. So be prepared for that.

There's always dud gigs for every magician but most of them are amazing and I, have got to go to some amazing places performing my magic like: Dubai, Capri, Gstaad, Milan, Athens, Monaco and many more.

The most important thing is be a good person and be a great magician. Our job as a magician is to entertain and amaze. So if you want to make people smile, laugh and have that feeling of wonder (like you did when you were first amazed by magic)...
get out there and just do it!
Who are some of the big clients you have worked for?
Amazon, Apple, BBC, Spotify, Casio, Twitter, HSBC, Samsung, The Argus, BP

Is there anything you would like to tell us about Gaming Astonishment?
Sure, Gaming Astonishment is a gaming streaming channel on Twitch, YouTube and Facebook. I've always been interested in video games. When lockdown hit it gave me some free time away from magic to try other things. So I, started my own streaming channel and at the start of a Tuesday stream I, would always perform a magic trick. I'm still streaming twice a week and it's just a bit of fun playing games with my mates. You never know...
one day I, might make some money from it too...
That's awesome, now for the questions everyone really wants to know...

Mars or Snickers?
Snickers.

Bourne or Bond?
Bond.

Staying in or going out?
I, guess staying in.

Call of duty or fifa?
Call of Duty (but it's close)

Blaine or Brown?
Brown.

Chinese or Indian?
Indian.

Wine or beer?
Is this a trick question?

Red or Blue-backs?
Red, I, also have some blue-backs available at great prices.

Summer or Winter?
Definitely Summer.

Penn or Teller?
Teller.

Ketchup or Brown?
Ketchup (Haha I, meant Derren Brown)

Morton or Peel?
Both.

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