A Life of Magic with Charlotte Pendragon

Magician, stuntwoman, writer and celebrity entertainer.

Charlotte Pendragon: Magician

Dear Reader: My mother enrolled me in a magic class at our local library not too long after David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty disappear. Together we learned the deep secrets of prestidigitation, and by the end I had a new admiration for magicians. I was to perform one special trick in front of the other children and parents but lost my prop. The instructor provided me a dull substitute, which didn’t live up to everyone’s expectations. I went from making a coin disappear to a dancing handkerchief, unceremoniously ending my magic career.

Unlike your host, our guest today is highly accomplished, world renowned, and is regaling her subscribers with amazing stories of illusion and wonder. We’re thrilled that Charlotte Pendragon is joining us and I hope you’ll find her interview inspiring and magical.

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You've performed for royalty, presidents, celebrities and a host of fans far and wide. What have these experiences taught you about people and humanity in general?

Having the honor and blessings to have performed for such an incredibly diverse range of people from all different countries and societies, including royalty, heads of state, celebrities, and fans from all walks of life, has established my view of human nature and humanity. The art of magic has tremendous universal appeal, which transcends all languages and cultures. All humanity shares the desire and need for enchantment and wonder. My work is to accommodate this need, and it doesn't feel like work.

Through magic, the world is transported to a realm of imagination without language barriers and always ends in the unification of humankind. Instilled in me is gratitude and a sense of humility from interacting and sharing my talents with influential world figures and others regardless of their status. My exposure to many different audiences has facilitated my empathy and understanding from the lens of others, enriching my and the audience's experience.

Distraction and illusion can be just as important in writing a multi-layered science fiction or fantasy plot. Can you share with our readers and fellow writers the key to executing a good misdirection?

Distraction and misdirection used in a fantasy story involve expertly redirecting the reader's attention elsewhere from pivotal plot elements, eventually leading to unpredictable twists and turns —Surprises.

There are many effective techniques a writer can employ to guide the reader in a different direction. It's used as a distraction in a sci-fi or fantasy setting. Classic magic methods of misdirection are used as a writing tool. Invent supernatural or magical curios or keepsakes that contain surprising secret powers and abilities directing the story's figures and the readers off-course. A writer can overturn routine fantasy tropes, resulting in unforeseen outcomes to astonish readers, adding innovation and originality to the narrative.

Inventing your own trick or illusion seems to be the pinnacle of an illusionist's career. How does one accomplish originality in your field if they're not constantly inventing new tricks?

Creating a new effect in magic can be an important milestone for a magician. Few obtain that mark. I was fortunate, through collaboration with other partners of a team, to create a new illusion named Interlude, an illusion where a person passes through the chest of another person. But to achieve originality in magic and illusion, one doesn't constantly have to invent new tricks. There are alternative ways to cultivate creativity. For instance, innovative staging of your illusions is a crucial way to be different. Inventing a stage persona to exhibit your originality and introduce other likes and interests into your routines. Making modifications to old illusions and adapting the magic to your own style are just a few of the ways to build an original presentation.

"Street magic" has been around for hundreds of years, but experienced a resurgence in the late 1990s and early 2000s. What's the relationship like between mentalists, street magicians and theatrical illusionists?

Street magic has always been strong through the ages. I began my career in magic busking at Renaissance Faires, which I talked about extensively in one of my earlier Substack posts. Street magicians were more popular during the 60s and 70s when fewer social restrictions were placed on street artists. Back then, a license was not required to busk, and in most cities, a magician legally could set up on any corner and pass a hat. Today, if you desire to perform on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, you must file papers with the city. Street busking isn't what it used to be. The reason street magic is familiar to most people beginning in the early 2000s is due to TV specials featuring magicians like David Blaine showing him on the street, surprising people from all walks of life with card tricks. These shows’ focus isn't so much on the street performers as they are the audience's reactions. So TV has familiarized audiences with street magic, but there isn't a large volume of street magicians. You see street magic almost exclusively on TV.

Overall, mentalists, street magicians, and theatrical illusionists have unique performance styles. They are united mainly through a shared passion for art and a sense of camaraderie, and respect for the craft helps to foster a vibrant magic community where, many times a year, conventions are held, bringing them together for communion.

In your post titled "Spellbound" you hint at the blurred line between illusions and spells or metaphysics. In your experience, how do most illusionists approach the concept of real magic?

The blurred line between the two arises from the shared aspects of perception, belief, and experience that underlie both illusions and metaphysical phenomena. Stage illusions rely on manipulating perception to create the appearance of something that is not there. Similarly, spells or metaphysical practices may alter perception or consciousness to manifest desired outcomes. Both involve manipulating the way individuals perceive and interact with their environment.

Spellbound

Fantasy books with magical systems are very popular, especially after the success of the Harry Potter franchise. How does that affect your industry?

Of course, the Harry Potter franchise has increased interest in magic in adults and kids. The magical world of Harry Potter is rich and diverse, with many different magical creatures and settings inspiring magicians to explore new themes and styles. The imaginative magic of Harry Potter has challenged magicians to push the limits of their boundaries and find new techniques and tricks. Primarily, the stories help readers interested in magic to enhance their sense of marvel. And imagination.

If someone were interested in performing amateur illusions, how should they get started?

The first step I recommend, if you are interested in performing magic, is to begin researching different types of magic to determine the best fit. Perhaps its card tricks done in an intimate setting like restaurants or large-scale mega illusions like making the earth disappear; figure out what you love the most and what works best for you—learning about the principles behind them. Many resources are available, including books, online tutorials, and instructional videos, that can help beginners understand the basics of magic and illusion.

Put what you've learned into practice. Start rehearsing basic sleight-of-hand techniques and necessary fundamental skills to form a foundation from which you can build a show. Start with simple tricks and illusions suitable for beginners, ones that are easy to learn and perform. Gradually work up to more complex illusions as you gain confidence and experience.

Can you share one experience from your work that you remember fondly? Either an interaction with a fan, celebrity or a particular accomplishment?

While in Egypt, I performed a show where one performer was at a charity event benefiting a children's orphanage. After the show, a young girl approached me, her eyes shining with excitement and admiration. The girl shared how watching my performance had lifted her spirits and given her hope during a difficult time. Touched by this little girl's heartfelt words, I talked with her, offering encouragement and even teaching her a simple magic trick to try at home. The encounter reminded me of the profound impact magic can have on people's lives, especially during challenging moments, and it reaffirmed my belief in the power of spreading joy and inspiration through my performances.

As one of The Pendragons, I always get to participate in meet and greets following our shows. This was a chance to thank our guests and meet our excited fans personally. During one meet-and-greet event, I had the pleasure of meeting a devoted fan who had traveled a long distance to see the show. The fan, a young aspiring magician, expressed admiration for our magic and shared how my performances inspired her to pursue her dreams of becoming a magician. Her enthusiasm and dedication touched me; I spent extra time with her, offering encouragement and sharing advice to hone her skills. She left feeling inspired and motivated. I was reminded of the impact established professional performers can have on aspiring entertainers and the importance of nurturing the next generation of talent in the magic community.

Charlotte helping lift the spirits of children around the world.

What's next for Charlotte Pendragon? Are you still performing illusions? Is there a book on the horizon?

In addition to my live performances, I have recently ventured into the world of conceptual videos, collaborating with Randy Lessley, my husband, to create mesmerizing visual experiences that blend magic with original music produced by Randy. My videos will showcase our creative vision for my work and my ability to transcend the boundaries of traditional magic performances. These will be available sometime later this spring on our membership website.

As far as a book, I began my Substack articles because I was trying to write a book, but I had no idea where to start and what to edit with so much material. Substack has enabled me to focus on my writing, giving me a clearer picture of my book. So yes, I plan to publish a book about my life in magic and beyond.

Many thanks to Charlotte for spending her time with our Lunar Awards community. You can find her writing in detail about her magic career at The Charlotte Pendragon Diaries: