About

Chris Pathsworth is based in Ottawa, Canada's capital. His enthusiasm for magic was sparked at the age of twelve, when he attended a magic show at the city's National Arts Centre.

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Chris' interest continued unabated throughout high school and university. Graduating with distinction in Industrial Design from Carleton University in Ottawa in 1986, Chris decided to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time professional magician.

The magic and the illusions - many of which are Chris Pathsworth originals - are performed expertly and intelligently. Ardently professional, Chris' exacting standards strongly reflect his formal training in design.

Chris Pathsworth's magic is guaranteed to captivate. His shows combine a unique and varied repertoire with a warm, humorous style. And the special rapport that he builds with his audience creates many magical moments. Chris' performances can be tailored for the individual occasion, particular age group or audience interest. Well-known and respected throughout Ontario, Chris is called back by his clients year after year.

A thousand and one details underlie performances of magic and illusion and they are all approached in the same way - with expert attention to every element. Clients appreciate and count on this approach. It's why Chris is in constant demand.

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Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

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When I was 12 years old, I attended a magic show at the National Arts Centre, called The World Festival of Magic and Witchcraft. The show was so fascinating it quite bewitched me, and I left with an intense desire to learn all I could about magic. I began right away and, over the next few years as I went through high school and university, I continued to be absorbed by the many facets of magic. This fascination developed into a firm resolve to become a professional magician.
My local library was a prime source of books on the subject and I also found catalogues for buying tricks through the mail. I practiced every day until I could put on shows for my family and friends. Before long, I was able to charge the grand fee of $5 a time to entertain at friends' birthday parties. And I reinvested the money I earned into new magic books and tricks.
Since 1987. Even though I attended Carleton University to obtain a degree in industrial design (graduating with distinction), I couldn't envision a career doing anything else but magic. In fact, taking the design course has helped me enormously over the years with the props and illusions I create, especially in my theatre work.
Over 4000 shows, which include corporate events and private functions as well as theatre shows, which means I have entertained over a quarter of a million people.
Theatre was the next natural step in my career plan I really enjoy the environment of a theatre and entertaining such a large crowd of people at one time. Also, I have new ideas about the presentation of magic and illusions - combining them with music and dance and creating a dramatic story line, for example. I want to be known all over North America, and theatre performances put my name out further afield geographically.
Doug Henning was always a source of inspiration for me and I followed his career and style of magic avidly when he was alive. I was also very pleased to meet David Copperfield when I was president of the Ottawa Society of Magicians (I joined the International Brotherhood of Magicians in 1987.)
Because I perform full-time - I have no other career - I take magic very seriously and give a great deal of thought to how magic is presented. I enjoy developing new ideas and new approaches - creating illusions that have never been seen before and finding new ways to present them. Because magic is my full-time career, I have to run it as a business, and I pride myself on doing so professionally and with integrity.
I think every magician makes mistakes now and then. The thing is not to let the audience know that you have - and so spoil the magic for them. When you practice as much as I do, you know how to cover up minor mistakes