Interview - Mr Magic

We talk to Paul Kieve, the magician from the Oliver mission

Paul Kieve designs magical effects for stage shows and has previously worked with Cameron Makintosh on Witches of Eastwick, and various projects with Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Can you tell us about the work you did with the Olivers?

There are no magic effects in Oliver as such but you've got to be nimble fingered to be in Fagin's gang. So I taught some basic prestidigitation (that's French for quickness of the fingers!) taking the idea of being quick with the hands in a fun and showy way.

There are lots of appropriate objects from the Victorian period that also double up as magic props, such as handkerchiefs, coins, walking canes, and top hats. I taught the Olivers some tricks using these and then they performed for Andrew.

Why is it important for potential Olivers to learn these skills?

A great deal of the art of a magician is in the acting - being able to make the audience believe that the magic is happening. So it teaches the kids to have an inner script, to act out something that they imagine. It's a great way of learning direct audience communication too, and also really teaches how to direct the attention of an audience - making them look where you want them to look. Another very useful performance skill to learn!

How did the Olivers get on during this mission?

They're at the best age to learn magic (it's when I started!) so they were all excited and enthusiastic about learning. It was interesting to see how they all expressed their personalities differently.

Some of them chose a tricky coin trick and in some ways that was the bravest choice as it was the least proppy and most relied on skills of acting and misdirection. But they all did very well indeed.

Did you enjoy the mission?

Very much! I was lucky enough to meet Lionel Bart when I was working at the Theatre Royal Stratford East on 'The Invisible Man' so I feel especially connected to the show. I've always loved the musical so it was great to be asked to be involved.

Magic can take a long time to learn so it was tricky training the kids so quickly. But the Olivers were all bright and was great fun seeing them come up with different stage names and presentations. I was amazed by their creativity!

What do you think makes a good Oliver?

I think he has to have a total innocent charm, a cheeky face and the voice of an angel!

What do you think makes a good Nancy?

She's a feisty survivor with a heart of gold and she's got to be able to belt out a number when she needs to! I can remember being heartbroken with what happens to her when I saw the film as a kid and to feel that emotion (which is incredibly important to the impact of the show) you have to really care for her in the first place.

You can find out more about Paul at his website www.stageillusion.com