It was a cynical crowd but the grand illusionist had us spellbound…
When Australia’s most famous magician, Cosentino, strode into our offices, he was faced with more than just a cramped performance space – he had to turn a sceptical audience into believers.
But we were hypnotised as we tried to follow his every flourish, not least when he turned deputy editor Claire Isaac’s $50 note into five dollars… and then back again, much to her relief!
“I love seeing people’s reactions,” says Cosentino, who taught himself magic tricks from a book at age 12.
While his dazzling show for our team focused on his smaller close-up illusions, his real passion lies in the very big and public death-defying acts we see plenty of in his new TV special.
“It’s bigger, it’s more dangerous – the stunts are extraordinary!” he says of the follow-up to his 2012 ratings hit. “I’ve taken the first special and put it on steroids.”
For more about Consentino’s new show, see this week’s issue of Woman’s Day, on sale Monday, August 26 2013.
