"More Magic and Illusions"
The Magic Seats website was lucky to interview Louise Andrée in April 2021. A multi talented performer, entertainer, actor, magician, dancer and choreographer. The first chat was so popular that it remains one of our best performing interviews to date. Since then we have followed Louise's career and felt is was about time we had a catch up.
As it turns out, a lot has changed for Louise since our last chat, having performed at the IBM 2023 Gala Show, getting married and even moving house. Louise has also been promoted within the Magic Circle to A.I.M.C (Associate of the Inner Magic Circle) and gained a West End contract performing in "Wonderville." Crazy busy!
Louise continues to work with the "Spread a Smile" charity that entertains sick children in hospital and continues to star in pantomime's along with even featuring on the BBC TV show "This is My House".
Thanks again to Louise for continuing to support the Magic Seats website and assisting us to spread the word about promoting magic.
As this is a follow up interview with updates on earlier discussed matters, please do take a look at the original interview.
Please see the bottom of this post for contacts to book Louise who is available for bookings worldwide.
Magic Seats - I cannot believe that over three years has passed since our last chat. It is lovely to catch up again.
Louise Andrée - Martin! Thank you so much for asking me back :) always a total pleasure chatting with you!
Last time that we spoke, we covered lots of different aspects of performance, magic and entertainment. I am so pleased that after the difficult lockdown times, you are more busy than ever! An important part of your career growth acknowledged the mentors who had helped you when you had started out in magic and performing. Do you now have opportunities to pass on your experience by either mentoring or training others? And if so, how does that help you?
I'’ve actually always loved teaching - I started teaching dance when I was only 15 (if that’s legal!?!), so it's something i’ve always had a passion for. I find it so rewarding using my own skills to encourage and help others, ironically I always end up learning something along the way too. People say “those who can’t do- teach” but I totally disagree. I’ve been lucky enough to consult on a few shows since we last spoke. I’ve absolutely loved this as it combines my favourite things - theatre and magic. I’ve realised I do actually like being in the rehearsal room and being on the ‘other side’ as part of a production team, rather than always being the one getting on stage. Because I didn’t come from a traditional route into magic, I think I can put myself in the shoes of a non-magician performer and adapt my teaching style to suit them. Hopefully making them comfortable and feel that they’re in a safe space to learn and make mistakes. I’ve really enjoyed watching the shows and taking and giving notes and being involved in how the actors have progressed and improved from the rehearsal room to being on stage in front of their audience.
I recently sat on the panel of auditions for a cast changeover of a show and it was so interesting to be part of that process from the other side of the table and to get to help in making the decisions on who would get the role. This collaborative process has really helped me in my own performances and scripting etc. as well and getting to work alongside world class directors & production teams as a creative is great and without sounding super cheesy- so inspiring!
I can certainly appreciate the hard work that goes on behind the scenes and must be good learning new skillsets within the industry. I can also appreciate how much work goes into preparing shows behind the scenes having had my own recent experience.
I am aware how your work and bookings can vary and include worldwide opportunities like Dubai. Do you have any exciting worldwide bookings that you can tell us about that presented unique challenges or opportunities?
Challenges?! I’ve had a few hairy moments suddenly realising that what we as magicians think is normal things to have in our luggage, may not be as normal to airport security! A few pairs of scissors, lighters, glue and craft knives have been confiscated over the years - but nothing major - I do love the Hudson’s recent story of their paint gun drama!
Working on illusion shows where the props are shipped over sometimes months in advance, there’s always that scary moment where the team are worried that the props might not turn up or that they will have been damaged in transit.
That has to be a nightmare. I've worked in logistics and known about the damage and loss that can occur! And of course, many illusions are worth serious money.
I always make sure I have an emergency kit in my hand luggage with a costume, my make up and my close up bag just incase my suitcase doesn’t turn up. Once (thankfully on the way back) my suitcase arrived on the carousel burst open with all my stuff scattered along the coveyor- including my dirty washing and a teddy bear- awkward! I’m a little bit obsessed with small make up type bags and tend to store cards, gimmicks , spares etc in there so thankfully that was all in tact!
I've certainly seen some of your tweets about travel troubles as you travel to work bookings!
Your complete list of corporate bookings is looking really impressive these days which includes Lego, Ikea, KFC, Audi, Fox, BBC. Live Nation, and many more, - what advice can you give anyone trying to break into this market? How do you get these corporate bookings?
I have been really lucky that these have mostly come as word of mouth or through someone who I have worked with years ago who remembers I do magic now and they get me on board. There are some fab magicians though who have cracked that market a lot better than I have with the global brands and repeat or multiple day bookings etc ! I seem to book a lot of tech summits ! It always blows my mind that tech people can programme computers and do all this coding and crazy advanced technology but they can’t get their head around a simple card trick. Someone actually said to me on one of these gigs recently "You don’t have to worry about AI stealing your job, AI could never create a moment in real life like that" which I guess is the biggest compliment.
Many of the brands I have worked for, they have booked me off the back of another gig and its pretty much always been the case that it's because they heard I was easy to work with, reliable and adaptable. As magicians we are sometimes, quite rightly, used to being the star of the show, but with these huge events, often we are a tiny but significant part of what makes the event a success- understanding that and just generally being easy to work with and happy to collaborate and understand the brand’s ethos and language etc I think is super important and can make one gig snowball into many more.
With the Lego launch, I was able to use my acting background as it was an immersive event. A lot of the time I hear clients say they want a magician but not a "MAGICIAN" magician, so just being able to be a bit creative or offering something different can get you booked.
There are some big agencies that are super easy to find on google or even on instagram under the ’eventsprofs’ hashtag. Send them a showreel or offer to pop into their office and show them a trick or two? I have lots of friends who have had real success booking big corporate gigs with courses such as Paul Martin and Jon Ensor’s Pro Magic Academy too.
Oh and if I get an enquiry I can’t personally do, I always, always send them some names of people I would recommend. Not only might it help them, they might just keep you in mind for next time as well as help out a fellow magician. I’ve had some lovely gigs in return from other magicians too. Sharing is caring! :)
Corporate is also known for often requiring bespoke set pieces. Does this happen a lot and if so, have you had opportunities to become a magic creator of effects?
I’m the first to admit that creating effects isn’t my forte but I am creat-IVE ! I like adapting tricks to suit the theme or brand on a gig. Branded cards and giveaways are always a hit. Recently I worked close-up at a Crystal Anniversary party for a big Media company and the client was great to work with. We worked together to create bespoke moments such as flash producing crystals and logo-ed crystal display blocks which doubled up as omni decks to give away. Their company name was inspired by the old £1 note so I bill switched the event ticket into a £1 note which the guests got to keep. Changing my phone screen to the company logo for any phone tricks , dressing in company colours etc. All very simple things but they felt bespoke. Of course there will be times when time and budget are no object and then you have a blank canvas and can get creators and other magical people involved!
The omni decks sound fab. Sounds like in some instances a lot of custom and bespoke work is involved. Performing at the IBM Gala show must have been a similar experience with the required preparation. I understand that you performed a bespoke show and also acted as a judge - did this present any challenges and how did you overcome them?
I’ve never been more nervous in my entire life than I was doing that show! I suddenly got major imposter syndrome about performing to my peers- but - oh my - I couldn’t have had a nicer experience - the IBM team are wonderful - the tech crew (made up mostly of magicians who are expert techs too) were second to none and the whole convention was lovely. I think it was the hottest day of the year and so we were all absolutely sweating - not the best for magic - sweaty palms! But it really was a great experience.
I also got to judge the close up competition - I'm terrible, I want everyone to win but it was nice to be on the panel and offer maybe a different take on judging . Cameron Gibson did a great job of putting together a really diverse range of judges.
I really wish that I had been able to get to that convention and see your performance.
You have of course choreographed shows and set pieces before. Is that a skill that can be used for your magic set? How important is music in your performances.
Music is soooooooo important to me - usually that’s a starting point for me. I Shazam everything - I can be out in a cafe somewhere and think ‘oh that song would be great for this trick or that routine ‘ and so I Shazam and save to a huge playlist on my phone called ‘magic tracks'. It is so long I now have ‘magic tracks 2’ and magic tracks ‘New’ - it’s never ending. I learn magic techniques like choreography too - even close up- I guess it is anyway ‘right hand does this, left hand does that..’ I learn visually and I’m used to mirroring etc from my dance days. I love performing illusions as I get a chance to choreograph. Any transitions etc are all ‘choreographed’ into the music even if it’s just moving a table or where something is coming on or going off, it’s all pre choreographed as an extension of the routine.
You recently also featured on the TV reality show "This is My House". A show that required you to play someone else. How did that opportunity come about? And do you have any further aspirations to feature on TV or even audition for a show like BGT?
Because I still have a toe in the old dance and acting world, I’m still on all the casting groups and follow TV researchers etc on social media, so I often see these random castings come up. I was actually going to be involved in the first series but I had already signed up to do "Wonderville" in the West End and because the Covid rules were still quite strict, especially in TV , I would have had to quarantine for ten days before filming which clashed with "Wonderville" rehearsals. The following year I saw the casting again and so I applied and had to go through so many rounds of zoom auditions and even a counselling session to make sure I was ok to film. It was so much fun and I do love stuff like this- I enjoyed the show because it was technically an acting gig for me, I was literally pretending to be someone else! I don’t have the nerve for BGT, although some of my best friends have been so successful with it! I’d love to do something like Big Brother where I would just be myself without the pressure of having to perform to scary TV judges and essentially get paid to have some time off haha. I always want everyone to like me though so I might not get on well with a whole nation judging my every move. They’d also see me when I’m hangry and with no make up on and I’m not sure anyone deserves that sort of punishment. Haaaa!
I agree it is great seeing so many of the magic community prosper on shows like BGT. Though who progresses has sometimes puzzled me as I know of many great acts who have not progressed as far as they deserve.
What next, anything that you can tell us about that will be happening in the future?
I’m currently in two summer pantomimes in Scotland (we just love a panto up here!) I’m playing Trixie Turnip, the principal girl role and I get to perform a few magic routines as part of the show. I’m also choreographing a production of ‘Rock of Ages’ the musical which is fun!
Fantastic that you are keeping so busy. And since we last spoke, do you have any more magic collectables tother han just magic Barbie lol?
Hahah! Well I now have a few illusions and those posters I spoke about last time! Since last time I also got married (finally after Covid postponements!) and we bought our first house, there’s definitely a few Queen of hearts cushions and magic prints and posters shoe horned into the decor! I haven’t bought any more Barbies- YET! But my biggest problem remains the same - I’m a sucker for a flashy trailer, Martin! 😂 so always have a drawer full of magic stuff I am never likely to use!
Thank you Louise for another chat updating us on your career. And congrats to you on your wedding! Please do keep us updated on your career and future career moves.
If you would like to know more about Louise Andrée, take a look at the links below for her official website and booking information.
- Corporate Events
- Award Dinners
- Private Parties
- Weddings
- Bar & Bat Mitzvahs
- Product Launches
- Trade Shows
- Conventions
- Cabaret Nights
- Family days
Visit:
Louise is UK based and available for bookings Nationwide and Worldwide.
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