Magician to spin brand new illusions at festival
[caption id="attachment_38266" align="alignright" width="250"] MAGIC TOUCH: Young illusionist Brendon Peel[/caption]
PORT Elizabeth-born magician Brendon Peel is set to perform his latest illusionist show, Think Twice, at the upcoming National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
The 21-year-old, who grew up in Summerstrand, is no stranger to the festival, as his latest instalment of psychological illusions and mentalism will be his fourth consecutive National Arts Festival show.
"It's the best show I have ever created. I have received excellent reviews from my past shows, but this one will blow more audiences out of their minds!" he said.
"I have come up with creative ways to captivate the audience and incorporated some acts from the Fifa World Cup.
"I will to get into my audiences' minds. There are going to be little things that people will not even see are right in their faces," the former Pearson High School pupil said.
While keeping audiences on the edge of their seats, the show promises to make fans "think twice" about everything they have seen. Peel said he would persuade the audience to doubt their own choices and decisions, leaving everyone bewildered but thoroughly entertained.
His trademark mystery entertainment show delves deep into the realms of parapsychology, mentalism and misdirection, while bringing it all together with a twist of humour.
His mother and manager, Terry Peel, who has always been a number one fan, said: "I am always excited to see his performances. It's going to be new, innovative and very captivating. I think he has done extremely well since he started – from then he has been going strong."
Having started performing magic at Bay restaurants, socials and conferences from the age of 14, Peel's flourishing career comes as no surprise.
He is now in his second year of journalism studies at Rhodes University and has performed across the length and breadth of South Africa.
He said to make his performances more interesting he also reads a lot of books on psychology and magic.
As a child growing up with a love for magic, Peel said greats like the UK-based illusionist Derren Brown had inspired him throughout the years.
"Derren is such a genius! He breaks new ground and does acts that no one has ever done in mentalist illusion, " Peel said.
Think Twice is on at Masonic Back from next Thursday when the festival opens, until July 12. For updates on Peel's performances and for bookings, visit - Balisa Ntloko
