51: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child with Lee Cohen

Scamapalooza with Nicholas J. Johnson

Magicians have a complicated relationship with the Harry Potter franchise.

On the one hand, the success of J K Rowling's creation has given them hours of work at movie premieres, book launches, and themed events. On the other hand, it's hard dealing with constant jokes about where our broomsticks are and whether we were raised under a staircase. The Boy Who Lived casts a long shadow.

So what happens when the world of the magician collides with the world of Harry Potter?

Since 2016 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been combining J K Rowling's wizarding stories with extraordinary stage magic. There’s no suspension of disbelief; the characters appear to be performing real magic, live on stage.

Lee Cohen is the Magic and Illusions Consultant for the Australian production of Harry Potter and the Cursed child.

In this episode of Scamapalooza Lee talks about how she got this incredible job how she teaches magic to actors who have never picked up a trick in their life and the differences between theatrical illusions magic tricks and special effects.
For more information on today's show visit www.conman.com.au