Magician coming to Moosomin on Jan. 17
January 16, 2023, 1:30 pm
Sierra D'Souza Butts, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Organized by the Moosomin & District Arts Council, Sheldon Casavant will be performing his uniquely engaging and memorable magic performance in Moosomin on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Moosomin Community Theatre.
“It’s an interactive, comedy, magic stage show. It’s geared for all ages, for the younger ones just as much as for the adults and grandparents that are there as well,” said Casavant.“
There will be a lot of audience participation. Throughout the show we’ll be making things appear, disappear, float in the air, and I’ll be reading some minds as well. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Since learning about magic at the age of 11, Casavant spoke about what first inspired him to become a magician.
“I first got into magic when I was a kid. After seeing a magic show it was something that really piqued my interest,” he said.
“I went home afterwards and tried to recreate the magic that I saw the magician perform. It might not have looked exactly like what the guy was doing, but it was enough to get me going.”
Shortly after discovering his passion for magic, Casavant met someone who shared the same interest as him.
“When I was 11 years old, I went to my local library to find some books on magic and there was actually a professional magician who was looking at the books at the same time as me,” he said.
“He noticed my interest in magic at the library and taught me some tricks right there. He became my first mentor and teacher.
“It was really at that moment, at 11 years old and on, where it felt like I was a real magician.
“His name was Brian Holm. Since then, he has moved to the States, but when I was able to see him he passed along his tricks and illusions that he used to perform on stage. He passed those on to me, and taught me the first few steps on how to get on stage.
“If it wasn’t for that moment of me being in the library, magic probably would’ve been a passing interest of mine, but that interaction cemented it.
“From there I learned about the magic shop. There was also an upcoming magic swap-meet that was coming in around that time which I went to, and the rest is history.”
Casavant has entertained across Canada, the United States, Mexico, Panama, China, and has performed over 630 shows in Japan.
“I started doing shows and travelling and performing all over the world,” he said.
“What’s great with magic is that essentially it’s an international art form where you don’t necessarily need to speak the same language, but people can still appreciate the visual and impact the magic has.
“I had the chance number of years ago to perform in Japan as part of a dinner show. We were doing two to three shows a night, seven nights a week.
“That first six months was, I believe, 414 shows without a day off. It was a lot of performing and a lot of fun.”
Casavant spoke about why he enjoys performing magic stage shows.
“I think what’s a lot of fun with it is being able to create that moment and feeling of magic for an audience,” said Casavant.
“Sometimes that feeling of wonder and experiencing something new for the first time is sort of lost as we get older. By performing, I get to rekindle that spirit of magic and let that imagination run wild. Seeing that reaction from the audience is the gift I get back when I perform.
“There’s definitely a lot of hard work in the practice and performance of it, but definitely that return is a huge payoff.”
Casavant is excited to come to perform in Moosomin as part of his 11 show tour across Saskatchewan.
What is your favorite magic trick?
“I perform one trick in my show that was actually one of the first ones that my first mentor passed on to me which is the classic linking rings,” he said.
“I also enjoy the intricate slight of hand magic which I incorporate into the stage show as well. People will get to see that at the show, pure skill and regular objects doing some amazing magic.
“I’m really looking forward to coming to Moosomin. There was a great crowd at the show I performed last night in Macklin, and really with it being for a family audience and all ages, it definitely gets a good crowd.
“It’s a show for all ages and a good night to get the family all together.”
Advance tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and are available at the World-Spectator, Pharmasave, Rocanville Pharmacy, and Wawota Credit Union. Tickets at the door are $25 for adults and $15 for students. Five and under are free.
