The Session 2022 Performer Spotlight | Dr. Matt Pritchard
By Vanishing Inc. - Thursday, April 22, 2021
Dr. Matt Pritchard (a.k.a. “The Science Magician”) is a former atomic physicist that is known for his ability to blend magic and science to create remarkable effects. At The Session, he will give a fascinating talk on the way he uses a combination of physics and trickery to create wonders online and in real life.
Until then, we’ll pass it over to Matt to tell you a bit more about himself…
What Is your favorite convention memory?
In my early teens I saw Kevin James lecture late one night at Blackpool convention and he blew me away with his visual magic. I distinctly remember the moment a chosen playing card melted through the side of a balloon.
What legacy do you hope to leave on the magic world?
It’s a rare occasion when I’m astonished. A lifetime of learning magic secrets has dulled my appreciation for the real power of magic. That moment of inhabiting a liminal space where you reach the limits of knowing and start to explore not-knowing. I hope that through my work, magicians will, for a brief interlude, experience again the enchanting nature of magic that caught their imaginations many years before.
What excites you most about the future of magic?
I feel we’re living in an age where technology has overtaken magic. Magicians have traditionally been ahead of the crowd with secretly deploying the latest technological innovations but now we’re playing catch up. Plus, propaganda and fake news surround us. Why does this excite me? Well, I think it will push magicians to find relevance and meaning in the craft. It will force us to reexamine our roots and not hide behind gimmickry. It will draw out our voice.
What’s one mistake in your career you encourage others not to repeat?
For many years I performed at fringe festivals as a character and I wanted to emulate various comical heroes of mine who were surreal & provocative. It just wasn’t me and the audience could see through the 2-dimensional character. It took me a long time to learn to be comfortable being ‘me’ on stage and sharing my interests. A quote I adore comes from the clown Avner the Eccentric who teaches: “Be interested, not interesting.”
What do you consider to be “real magic”?
Real magic is where you’re overwhelmed by wonder. That word is often thrown about in magic shows without too much thought. Wonder, for me, is characterised by a combination of awe, curiosity and play. It’s a sensation that’s paradoxically filled with both mystery and possibility. It’s a ‘thin place’ where time is distorted and your connection to the universe is tested.
My nephew’s 4th birthday party! I won’t be taking that booking again.
The strangest gig I ever did was at Buxton Fringe Festival where the ‘black box theatre’ was in reality a stuffy cellar underneath a hotel. Directly above the audience was the laundry room and when a washing machine went into its spin cycle, the ceiling shook and water leaked through the floorboards onto the heads of unfortunate guests.
What’s your favorite fun fact?
A giraffe has the same number of bones in its neck as a human does.
If you had Josh and Andi over for dinner, what would you cook?
Probably Josh. That’s the question, right?!
What are some other fun things or interesting facts about you?
- I’m a lapsed atomic physicist.
- In 2020, I came in second in the Illusion of the Year Contest
- I was given a straight jacket for Christmas when I was 14. On Boxing Day, my cat urinated on it.
- I won the Magic Circle’s Hoffmann award for my essay on the compatibility of science and magic.
- I am a sucker for any food that includes ‘salted caramel’ in the name.
Here’s a Sneak Peek at What Matt Will Discuss
Dr. Matt Pritchard (a.k.a. “The Science Magician”) is a former atomic physicist that is known for his ability to blend magic and science to create remarkable effects. At The Session, he will give a fascinating talk on the way he uses a combination of physics and trickery to create wonders online and in real life.
Until then, we’ll pass it over to Matt to tell you a bit more about himself…
What Is your favorite convention memory?
In my early teens I saw Kevin James lecture late one night at Blackpool convention and he blew me away with his visual magic. I distinctly remember the moment a chosen playing card melted through the side of a balloon.
What legacy do you hope to leave on the magic world?
It’s a rare occasion when I’m astonished. A lifetime of learning magic secrets has dulled my appreciation for the real power of magic. That moment of inhabiting a liminal space where you reach the limits of knowing and start to explore not-knowing. I hope that through my work, magicians will, for a brief interlude, experience again the enchanting nature of magic that caught their imaginations many years before.
What excites you most about the future of magic?
I feel we’re living in an age where technology has overtaken magic. Magicians have traditionally been ahead of the crowd with secretly deploying the latest technological innovations but now we’re playing catch up. Plus, propaganda and fake news surround us. Why does this excite me? Well, I think it will push magicians to find relevance and meaning in the craft. It will force us to reexamine our roots and not hide behind gimmickry. It will draw out our voice.
What’s one mistake in your career you encourage others not to repeat?
For many years I performed at fringe festivals as a character and I wanted to emulate various comical heroes of mine who were surreal & provocative. It just wasn’t me and the audience could see through the 2-dimensional character. It took me a long time to learn to be comfortable being ‘me’ on stage and sharing my interests. A quote I adore comes from the clown Avner the Eccentric who teaches: “Be interested, not interesting.”
What do you consider to be “real magic”?
Real magic is where you’re overwhelmed by wonder. That word is often thrown about in magic shows without too much thought. Wonder, for me, is characterised by a combination of awe, curiosity and play. It’s a sensation that’s paradoxically filled with both mystery and possibility. It’s a ‘thin place’ where time is distorted and your connection to the universe is tested.
My nephew’s 4th birthday party! I won’t be taking that booking again.
The strangest gig I ever did was at Buxton Fringe Festival where the ‘black box theatre’ was in reality a stuffy cellar underneath a hotel. Directly above the audience was the laundry room and when a washing machine went into its spin cycle, the ceiling shook and water leaked through the floorboards onto the heads of unfortunate guests.
What’s your favorite fun fact?
A giraffe has the same number of bones in its neck as a human does.
If you had Josh and Andi over for dinner, what would you cook?
Probably Josh. That’s the question, right?!
What are some other fun things or interesting facts about you?
- I’m a lapsed atomic physicist.
- In 2020, I came in second in the Illusion of the Year Contest
- I was given a straight jacket for Christmas when I was 14. On Boxing Day, my cat urinated on it.
- I won the Magic Circle’s Hoffmann award for my essay on the compatibility of science and magic.
- I am a sucker for any food that includes ‘salted caramel’ in the name.
Here’s a Sneak Peek at What Matt Will Discuss
Dr. Matt Pritchard (a.k.a. “The Science Magician”) is a former atomic physicist that is known for his ability to blend magic and science to create remarkable effects. At The Session, he will give a fascinating talk on the way he uses a combination of physics and trickery to create wonders online and in real life.
Until then, we’ll pass it over to Matt to tell you a bit more about himself…
What Is your favorite convention memory?
In my early teens I saw Kevin James lecture late one night at Blackpool convention and he blew me away with his visual magic. I distinctly remember the moment a chosen playing card melted through the side of a balloon.
What legacy do you hope to leave on the magic world?
It’s a rare occasion when I’m astonished. A lifetime of learning magic secrets has dulled my appreciation for the real power of magic. That moment of inhabiting a liminal space where you reach the limits of knowing and start to explore not-knowing. I hope that through my work, magicians will, for a brief interlude, experience again the enchanting nature of magic that caught their imaginations many years before.
What excites you most about the future of magic?
I feel we’re living in an age where technology has overtaken magic. Magicians have traditionally been ahead of the crowd with secretly deploying the latest technological innovations but now we’re playing catch up. Plus, propaganda and fake news surround us. Why does this excite me? Well, I think it will push magicians to find relevance and meaning in the craft. It will force us to reexamine our roots and not hide behind gimmickry. It will draw out our voice.
What’s one mistake in your career you encourage others not to repeat?
For many years I performed at fringe festivals as a character and I wanted to emulate various comical heroes of mine who were surreal & provocative. It just wasn’t me and the audience could see through the 2-dimensional character. It took me a long time to learn to be comfortable being ‘me’ on stage and sharing my interests. A quote I adore comes from the clown Avner the Eccentric who teaches: “Be interested, not interesting.”
What do you consider to be “real magic”?
Real magic is where you’re overwhelmed by wonder. That word is often thrown about in magic shows without too much thought. Wonder, for me, is characterised by a combination of awe, curiosity and play. It’s a sensation that’s paradoxically filled with both mystery and possibility. It’s a ‘thin place’ where time is distorted and your connection to the universe is tested.
My nephew’s 4th birthday party! I won’t be taking that booking again.
The strangest gig I ever did was at Buxton Fringe Festival where the ‘black box theatre’ was in reality a stuffy cellar underneath a hotel. Directly above the audience was the laundry room and when a washing machine went into its spin cycle, the ceiling shook and water leaked through the floorboards onto the heads of unfortunate guests.
What’s your favorite fun fact?
A giraffe has the same number of bones in its neck as a human does.
If you had Josh and Andi over for dinner, what would you cook?
Probably Josh. That’s the question, right?!
What are some other fun things or interesting facts about you?
- I’m a lapsed atomic physicist.
- In 2020, I came in second in the Illusion of the Year Contest
- I was given a straight jacket for Christmas when I was 14. On Boxing Day, my cat urinated on it.
- I won the Magic Circle’s Hoffmann award for my essay on the compatibility of science and magic.
- I am a sucker for any food that includes ‘salted caramel’ in the name.
Here’s a Sneak Peek at What Matt Will Discuss
Dr. Matt Pritchard (a.k.a. “The Science Magician”) is a former atomic physicist that is known for his ability to blend magic and science to create remarkable effects. At The Session, he will give a fascinating talk on the way he uses a combination of physics and trickery to create wonders online and in real life.
Until then, we’ll pass it over to Matt to tell you a bit more about himself…
What Is your favorite convention memory?
In my early teens I saw Kevin James lecture late one night at Blackpool convention and he blew me away with his visual magic. I distinctly remember the moment a chosen playing card melted through the side of a balloon.
What legacy do you hope to leave on the magic world?
It’s a rare occasion when I’m astonished. A lifetime of learning magic secrets has dulled my appreciation for the real power of magic. That moment of inhabiting a liminal space where you reach the limits of knowing and start to explore not-knowing. I hope that through my work, magicians will, for a brief interlude, experience again the enchanting nature of magic that caught their imaginations many years before.
What excites you most about the future of magic?
I feel we’re living in an age where technology has overtaken magic. Magicians have traditionally been ahead of the crowd with secretly deploying the latest technological innovations but now we’re playing catch up. Plus, propaganda and fake news surround us. Why does this excite me? Well, I think it will push magicians to find relevance and meaning in the craft. It will force us to reexamine our roots and not hide behind gimmickry. It will draw out our voice.
What’s one mistake in your career you encourage others not to repeat?
For many years I performed at fringe festivals as a character and I wanted to emulate various comical heroes of mine who were surreal & provocative. It just wasn’t me and the audience could see through the 2-dimensional character. It took me a long time to learn to be comfortable being ‘me’ on stage and sharing my interests. A quote I adore comes from the clown Avner the Eccentric who teaches: “Be interested, not interesting.”
What do you consider to be “real magic”?
Real magic is where you’re overwhelmed by wonder. That word is often thrown about in magic shows without too much thought. Wonder, for me, is characterised by a combination of awe, curiosity and play. It’s a sensation that’s paradoxically filled with both mystery and possibility. It’s a ‘thin place’ where time is distorted and your connection to the universe is tested.
My nephew’s 4th birthday party! I won’t be taking that booking again.
The strangest gig I ever did was at Buxton Fringe Festival where the ‘black box theatre’ was in reality a stuffy cellar underneath a hotel. Directly above the audience was the laundry room and when a washing machine went into its spin cycle, the ceiling shook and water leaked through the floorboards onto the heads of unfortunate guests.
What’s your favorite fun fact?
A giraffe has the same number of bones in its neck as a human does.
If you had Josh and Andi over for dinner, what would you cook?
Probably Josh. That’s the question, right?!
What are some other fun things or interesting facts about you?
- I’m a lapsed atomic physicist.
- In 2020, I came in second in the Illusion of the Year Contest
- I was given a straight jacket for Christmas when I was 14. On Boxing Day, my cat urinated on it.
- I won the Magic Circle’s Hoffmann award for my essay on the compatibility of science and magic.
- I am a sucker for any food that includes ‘salted caramel’ in the name.
Here’s a Sneak Peek at What Matt Will Discuss
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