Welcome to Phuket, thanks for taking the time to speak to us Joe. You became interested in magic when you were just 13 years old, was that when you saw your first trick?

Joe: Yes, I saw a magic show from a friend of my father?s and after that I was hooked. I knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

What has been your proudest moment so far in the world of magic?
Joe: I would say winning all my championship trophies when I was younger and the ?soon to be opening? of this exclusive theatre in Phuket.

Who were and are your heroes? Personally, I?ve always been more interested in baddies than goodies, does any of your magic have a dark side? Are there any magicians that you are fascinated by who used their ?powers? for dubious ends?

Joe: Magic, as I see it is an art performed as entertainment with no real dark side. Most of the magicians I admire and look up to, the public has probably never heard of. One is Neil Foster my teacher and mentor at the Chavez College of Magic. Others include Hank Miller, Dave Jensen and Matt Ridley. They taught me so much about technique in my formative years.

Do you know any tricks of magic that can be used to trick or cheat people? Not that I would want to?
Joe: Yes of course. Especially card magic. My friends will never play cards with me, hee hee ?

Last question along this angle, but I?m sure you have used magic to ?chat up? many girls. Before you were married to your lovely Thai wife Jeap, what did you find was the most ?useful? trick in this regard?

Joe: Ha ha? Women are bored of card tricks. So instead I would perform with items they like ? with jewelry, clothing items and of course money!

Is the ?Magic Circle? real?
Joe: It is very real. It consists of mostly British magicians (since it is in London) of some of the world?s finest magicians. Their web site is at www.magiccircle.uk Another great organisation is ?The Academy of Magical Arts? in Hollywood, California (which includes the famous Magic Castles).

Why do people need magic? What is it that attracts young and old people alike?
Joe: Magic has been around since the beginning of time and is one of the world?s oldest art forms. During a magic show people can forget all their problems and escape into a world of fantasy. Presented correctly, a magic show can be one of the best forms of entertainment.

You have toured and performed all over America and now in Asia, who do you find are the most receptive to what you do?

Joe: Americans are jaded and spoiled with entertainment ? information overload, if you like. I love Asian audiences, especially Thai?s. Most have never seen a magician performance live. They truly appreciate the show.

Are there any tricks that you don?t do, perhaps because they are too dangerous?
Joe: A few. But I choose most effects because of their entertainment value. As I get older there are a few that are too physically demanding these days, but overall I can see myself being able to perform most of my repertoire well into my seventies.

When you meet another magician, do you guys talk about your secrets?
Joe: Yes, sometimes. But I do not share too many of my secrets these days.

Is this because the magic circle will come and find you? What will they do?
Joe: Of course, I have thousands of secrets, no the Magic Circle will not come and find me ? but it is very bad karma and not good for the future of magic.

Do you agree that magicians shouldn?t reveal their secrets? If so, what do you think of the masked magician ? the guy who breaks all the rules?
Joe: Of course they shouldn?t, under any circumstance. As far as the masked magician is concerned, he just has no class. In the long run people forget and look at the overall performance and entertainment value.

Do you think there should be rules and codes for magicians worldwide to adhere to?
Joe: Yes of course, but no realistic way to enforce them. The performers must respect themselves.

Did you find that the success of Harry Potter brought a resurgence in people?s interest in the art?
Joe: Hmmm? Not really as his is fantasy type of magic really.

What?s your favorite trick? Why? Conversely what trick are you sick of seeing people do?
Joe: People love the large illusions, so it is why I perform them. I personally enjoy the difficult slight of hand magic (with cards and birds etc). My current personal favourite is the ?Macaw to Girl? illusion. I am tired of seeing other magicians acts perfectly replicated by others.

How has magic evolved over the years? How do you think it will change in the future?
Joe: It was at its height during the late 19th to early 20th century. In Asia I think it will progress to the large shows of yesteryear, while in the U.S and the West I think you will see a downturn.

What?s the biggest miscomprehension about magic or the understanding of a particular trick?
Joe: That the secret is everything. Most people are disappointed, once they know the secret.

Tell me what you are planning to do in Phuket?
Joe: To have the largest permanent magic theatre in Southeast Asia. It will compare with the best shows in Las Vegas, but will still be an intimate performing experience. The Jungceylon shopping and entertainment complex is the perfect high-profile venue for ?The Illusion Joe Conrad Theatre.? Our mostly Western cast and innovative magic will allow Asian audiences to witness a live that they wouldn?t otherwise be able to afford. We are so excited to bring this to Phuket! That is why we will call our show ASIA?S PREMIER MAGIC SPECTACULAR!

So, why Phuket?
Joe: Basically because it?s a totally open market for this type of show. There is nothing to do in the evening show wise. And families cannot really go to Bangla road. At night there is only Simon Cabaret and Phuket Fantasea. It?s a wide-open market for family entertainment. Pattaya doesn?t really attract the types who wish to see shows, Bangkok is too busy and Koh Samui is not really large enough. Phuket meanwhile is perfect.

What do you want to say the Phuket Post readers?
Joe: I want to say thank you for the chance to live and perform on the island of Phuket. We hope to make them proud of their newest tourist attraction and hope it brings more attention to this great place.