James Phelan

As the nephew of Paul Daniels, James grew up thinking becoming a magician was entirely possible. Fast forward to now, and he’s selling out venues with this tour: The Greatest Magician. Here, he chats his love for his family, relaxing in his PJ’s, and lifting the audience up.

Hello James! For anyone that hasn’t seen one of your shows, what can we expect? 

The show is a few hours of warmth, laughter and wow. We spend a lot of time creating the atmosphere in the room so when people walk through the doors into that venue - they’re swept away into a wonderful world of magic. The show is a very loving show, the audience all become one big family and all leave mind-blown, uplifted and trying to work it all out.

How do you dream up your tricks in the first place?

I have huge bursts of creativity, either in the car or randomly some days, and I have a long list of notes in my phone and it all goes in there. The good ideas file. And that’s where it lives forever, so when I come to write a new show or need new material, I’ve got 200 ideas ready to go that I can pull from. I know Matt Lucas worked in a similar way when writing the first series of Little Britain. It then goes in the show between two completely finished pieces of magic, and the adrenaline and feedback from the audience, over say, 20 shows, takes it from a trick to a finished routine. It’s great fun.

How does one become a magician? 

The best way has always been to read magic books. The Magic Circle has a huge library with all sorts of magic you can imagine.

A great magician makes the tricks look so easy, but it probably takes forever to get it down - how do you get slick?

The secret, particularly when you’re starting out, is to learn a few things very well. Inside out, back to front. And then like anything I suppose, live and breathe it. The more you love something, the more you absorb it, the better you’ll be. That said, a camera is better to rehearse in that in front of a mirror. The camera’s eye doesn’t blink!

What makes a great magician?

The best magicians care about the audience, and the worst magicians care about the magic in my opinion. Anyone can go online and find the secret, very few people can make an audience feel warm, or uplifted, or touched, etc.

With Paul Daniels as your uncle, did he perform his magic in front of you? 

I learnt magic from watching the tapes of my uncle Paul’s show over and over. And coming up with my own ideas. I used to do shows when I was 13, or 14 and my uncle would always be there. I have wonderful memories of standing in my Uncle Paul’s living room planning the show, and coming up with ideas. I never do any of Paul’s material. But without the inspiration of him I wouldn’t have pursued this path in life. I’m not sure I’d have known it was possible.

Your family must be thrilled that you’re doing magic…

We’re very close, my family. They come to the show a lot, and we talk about it all every day. I have a matinee on Christmas eve the whole family is coming to which will be lovely. It’s never been abnormal in my life, show business, so I only ever really realised people were snobby about it retrospectively. The thing I’ve learnt is that if there’s something you want to do, or something you love, do it. Life’s too short to not chase your dreams.

What’s the best thing about being a magician?

The audience. You can make someone’s week. Or take them out of a mind that’s anxious or worried. Entertainment, and joy is what we all need. And I really think it’s important. And feel gifted that my place on Earth is nothing but to make rooms of strangers happy.

And the most challenging?

I guess it’s true for most paths where you’re inviting eyes on you. The more successful you are, the more the pressure, and the more you get arrows in your back from a sort of professional jealousy. I’m learning it’s always best to stay in your lane and ignore everyone else. That said, it’s hard on your life. I’m travelling a lot, and in peaks and troughs of tiredness and adrenaline. You have to love it to do it, for sure.

When you’re not doing magic, what do you like to get up to?

Resting mostly these days. The tour show is so crazy, lots of energy, lots of travelling. Now I love nothing more than PJ’s, a Nandos and TV.

Any advice for budding magicians?

Never leave your money in the dressing room.

Lastly, can you sum up your show in three words?

Uplifting, astonishing, unforgettable.

James Phelan: The Greatest Magician is on 24th and 25th January at Exeter Phoenix; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk