Cosentino shares his unique brand of magic and his story of hope with the world

When International Magician of the Year Cosentino takes his spellbinding live show out on the road to regional areas, it’s a rare opportunity for audiences to experience the world-renowned stage performer in the local live arena.

“It’s a magic & illusion show so, there are people appearing & disappearing, levitating and teleporting,” Cos says with a laugh.

“I even melt through a steel plate – its hyper-visual and sensory overload!”

It’s strange Cos talks about visuals, because his journey to this world of performance is a wonderful one, a journey with lessons for the younger generations.

Cos was a child with learning difficulties who went with his Mum, a school principal, to the library to look at books. He saw a book with a picture of Harry Houdini on it and fell in love with the mystic and mystery of the world of magic.

He and his Mum read through books teaching magic, step by step, literally word by word – along the way not only learning the ways of a master illusionist and magician, but also educating himself to grow in confidence in his schoolwork, and as a young man.

His mother, through these visual learning techniques went on to be awarded a scholarship in the USA, and established a reputation as a progressive teacher showing that all kids learn differently.

Once a withdrawn, shy young boy, the confident, outgoing adult Cosentino today offers advice for a young boy or girl who might be struggling at school, or in life in general.

“Nothing stays the same forever. Whatever challenges you are faced with now will pass,” says Cos, who proudly shares his own journey during his show.

Cosentino’s prime-time television shows have been viewed by more than 500 million people across the globe and broadcast in more than 60 countries.

He became a household name when he appeared on Australia’s Got Talent in 2011 and has multiple Merlin Awards to his name – the highest accolade awarded in the magic industry – acknowledging him as International Magician of The Year and International Escape Artist of The Year.

He sits in esteemed company, others who have been awarded the prestigious accolades, given out by the International Magician’s Society in New York, include David Copperfield, Criss Angel and Penn and Teller.

In his own unique and award-winning style, Cosentino fuses traditional sleight of hand magic and grand illusions into novel and original presentations. He escapes the boundaries of the past and performs some of the most original and funky effects witnessed today.

Cos has been travelling all over regional NSW over the last month, with a semi-trailer full of stage gear and lights, clocking up some serious kilometres, so we thought we’d finish with a few quick “Q & A’s”.

You’re driving from town to town on this tour, what are your three go-to songs on the road trip to the Region? “Billie Jean by Michael Jackson, always some Marilyn Manson, & a mix of electronic synth music.”

Name 1 person you would not want in the passenger seat for the drive? “Probably Donald Trump.”

Name anyone dead or alive you would want in the passenger seat for the drive? “My hero – Harry Houdini.”

Do you bring your own pillow? “No; I’m a very light packer.”

Tomato sauce in the fridge or cupboard? “Cupboard.”

If they made a movie about you – who would play you? “I don’t want to sound conceited, but a lot of people say I look like Johnny Depp… I always nudge my fiancé when they say that and she laughs… but it would have to be 21 Jump Street Johnny. Old school.”

Cosentino will perform for the next two nights in Wagga (Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 2rd Nov), then on Thursday 24th in Griffith.

Details for Cosentino’s Riverina shows, and all his other information are on his website here.