One of Ireland’s most sought after and exciting close-up professional magicians is set to launch on television when his spellbinding new six-part series airs on Irish TV.
Promising to have viewers’ jaws dropping as he performs complex tricks on unsuspecting celebrities and members of the public, Derry magician Rodd Hogg is filmed walking about city streets as he journeys through Belfast, Dublin, Kerry, Liverpool, Manchester and London, stopping off at live venues, hotels, bars and restaurants.
The popular magician’s skills are fully on display as he performs his close-up magic tricks to camera.
He said: “In each episode I perform six different tricks with six different groups of people and perform an individual trick on one famous face also.
“Everything you see on TV is exactly as it happens. The focus is very much on the audience and their reactions and how magic can touch people emotionally and provide a real sense of wonder. So it is all about the people who watch magic because without an audience it would not exist.”
Rodd was awarded the title of ‘Irish Ring Close-Up Magic Champion’ by the Brotherhood of Magicians in 2013 and is a member of the prestigious Magic Circle in London.
He said: “Magic is an art form and probably one of the most unique because you really connect with people and make them forget about everything going on around them.”
Very much an entertainer as well as a magician, he is admired for his breezy style and cheerful manner that puts those around him at ease. He even manages to incorporate a little bit of playful stealing in his act.
He continued: “In a recession I’ll never go poor,", sending a warning shot to anyone around him to hold on tight to their rings, watches and wallets.
“I would like to highlight I always give stuff back," he quickly said, revealing he can never resist including the stealing tricks for the looks of amazement on people’s faces when they see their watch gone from their wrist. “That reaction is priceless!”
The part-time stuntman also enjoys being shackled in handcuffs under water with a limited time to escape. He concluded: “I am really excited about the show because people like to be entertained and love to be amazed.
"There is quite a lot of work to it because I am designing tricks never seen before. It’s about pushing yourself to the limit and seeing what you can achieve.”
The six-part series starts on Channel 191 on August 4 at 8.30pm and goes out every Thursday over six weeks.
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