Magic masterclass: how Dynamo’s tricks turned me into an illusionist

When I think of a traditional box of toy magic tricks, memories come flooding back of trying to impress grandma on Christmas Day with a naff wand and a handkerchief.

The sets on sale haven’t changed much since the Victorian era, so when I was offered the chance to learn a few tricks with Dynamo, I jumped at it.

Britain’s leading illusionist, 32, has made a name for himself by modernising magic. His repertoire includes close-up tricks such as shrinking mobile phones, while his more grandiose stunts have seen him walking on water across the Thames.

Magic is enjoying a renaissance. Dynamo has just performed 15 sold-out dates at Hammersmith Apollo, while rival show The Illusionists, which opens tomorrow at the Shaftesbury Theatre, has been performing strongly around the world.

What strikes you about Dynamo is his eagerness to impress. Within seconds of us meeting he is waving his foot at me, making his untied lace form a neat bow by itself.

The gadget used for the trick is one of 15 that he has included in his first magic kit. This is magic for the 21st century.

As well as a rigged deck of cards, there is a device which apparently cuts any headphone cable in half.

He says: “I get so many people saying their kids have been inspired by what I do and are getting into magic themselves, but they find it hard to begin to learn.

“A lot of the books you can get in libraries are quite old-fashioned and difficult. So I thought about creating a magic book, but then I thought, I need to have some props and magical devices in there.

“Everything in this kit people can take anywhere. I thought, if Apple made a magic kit, how would it look?

"The magic kit has never been seen as a classy product so I wanted to revolutionise it and have things in the kit that I would do myself. I could do a show with just this kit. It gives you a great foundation and will hopefully inspire the next generation of Dynamos.”

The first trick he shows me is the headphone cable, and is the easiest to master thanks to a neat black device. In goes the cable, add unnecessary cheesy hand motion, and the wire is cut in two with a swift click.