A professional magician, grand illusionist, daredevil and escape artist, Cosentino performs perilous stunts that have audiences stifling screams and digging fingernails into the nearest person. The Melburnian’s shows require a tank full of guts, but there’s a softer side to this wizard who grew up as the shy kid at school with magic paving his way in the world. Dreams of Hogwarts will soon become reality for the next generation as his ingenious wisdom is being passed on at his own Magic School. Consentino tells us a bit about dodging death, teaching this to children and what it’s like living life on the edge.
Your live show tour, The Magic, The Mystery, The Madness is coming up – how different do you think experiencing your show live is to an audience, as opposed to on television?
The Magic, The Mystery, The Madness tour is definitely the biggest and best national tour I've ever undertaken. My live shows are full of surprise and suspense and I like to make sure that every member of the audience feels a part of the experience.
There is a huge degree of risk when you perform your dangerous acts – what’s the biggest scare you have had?
Every escape has an element of danger. Recently I had a scare performing "Dropped"; I was 6 meters underwater in shackles and chains and had my eardrum tear because the water pressure was certainly a life threatening experience. Thanks to my training I was able to make it out in one piece.
How do you know where to draw the line?
I definitely like to push the boundaries but experience has taught me where the limits are.
What is it about risk related stunts that attracts you?
The challenge, the excitement and the adrenaline rush that you get from pushing the boundaries is addictive.
Last year you won the prestigious Merlin Award for the Most Original International Magician. What do you draw inspiration from for your ideas?
I am continually thinking about how to be the best I can be. I'm always coming up with ideas for bigger and better Illusions. My issue is having the time to make them all reality.
You got to meet your idol David Copperfield once, how was that?
That was an amazing experience. David Copperfield has been my idol since I was 12-years-old. So to see him perform in Las Vegas and meet him was an experience I will always cherish.
You’ve said magic helped you rise above your shyness as a kid, how would you describe your confidence now that you’re on the brink of a national tour and currently featuring on Dancing With The Stars?
I will always be naturally shy but my confidence has definitely grown over the past few years - performing on TV and in front of large audiences will do that! But even today I would prefer to perform in a large room to thousands of people rather than a small room to a handfull of people.
There’s an empty ‘Magic School’ space on your website. Is this something you are creating? …Will it be like Hogwarts?
Yes, it has been a long held dream of mine to start up a magic school. I want people of all ages to be able to learn the craft of magic and illusions. Watch this space, it will be happening soon.
Is it important to you to pass on your passion and knowledge?
Absolutely! That's why I will be opening my magic school and why I will be releasing my own magic kits later this year. I would love for anyone who has an interest in magic or illusions to have access to the craft.
Have you always imagined yourself to be a world-class performer or did you stumble upon it after Australia’s Got Talent in 2011?
It has always been my goal to be a world-class performer and to take my magic to the world. I toured the country honing my skills as a performer for a number of years before AGT. Things have certainly been turbo charged since then!
Witness Consentino live on his The Magic, The Mystery, The Madness tour in October and November.
