Magic News

Spidey is about much more than the tricks. The 22-year-old magician, mentalist and hypnotist practices what he calls "social magic."

Social magic is a concept the Montreal performer has been tinkering with for years. He draws on his understanding of psychology and sociology to quickly forge a tight bond with the complete strangers he is entertaining. He sets a convivial mood, gains their trust and reacts according to their reactions, with a hybrid of magic, mentalism and hypnosis.

Okay, it's also about the skills.

"But a magic trick isn't just a trick," Spidey said during a recent interview. "It's a display of personality."

Spidey (a.k.a. Bedros Akkelian) grew up in Cartierville and Town of Mount Royal. He learned his first magic trick when he was 4 years old, but it's never been just about the magic. He has a passion for performing.

Spidey also began playing piano at age 4 and grew up to complete a music degree at McGill University. His love of music is reflected in the show, which features musical guests: Arabic bongo player Marco (a.k.a. Mr. Tam Tam) and Yvan Le, a 16-year-old deaf pianist with electronic Cochlear implants.

Spidey heard Le play for the first time three weeks ago and was blown away by his talent.

"I know piano," Spidey said, "and he is amazing."

When Spidey isn't doing corporate shows or performing at a Club Med somewhere, he's working on a sociology degree at Concordia University and preparing for the April launch of his two-disc DVD The Art of Attraction.

One disc focuses on how to successfully interact with the opposite sex. (Spidey is a huge fan of the seduction guru Zan Perrion.) The second disc teaches basic magic skills - the logic being if you combine both sets of skills, you will become a force to be reckoned with.

"My whole fascination with the development of the social magic theory started with my interest in learning how to flirt well," Spidey said. He quickly pointed out that flirting can be a harmless way to interact with strangers and that he has a steady girlfriend.

Spidey honed his magic skills performing for children (Spidey was his nickname during five summers working as a counsellor at a TMR day camp and it's stuck.)

He eventually added mentalist elements to his show - his idol is the impressive British mentalist/hypnotist Derren Brown - and began working on hypnosis techniques when he was attending Marianopolis College.

Hypnosis is the main focus of the Out of My Mind show, although Spidey promises a grand finale involving a major magic trick. Please note that the show has a 15+ rating and is not suitable for young children.

Surrendering to the magic is not everybody's cup of tea, and Spidey has sparred with his share of hecklers over the years.

"I just ask them to appreciate what I'm trying to show them," he said.

"I don't mind skeptics. I mind people who are rude."

He also has a secret a weapon - a killer card trick he demonstrated during the interview - which never fails to impress even the toughest of critics.