Simon Drake - The Illusionist


 

Simon Drake first dazzled audiences, with his own unique style of magic and illusion, in Kate Bush's award winning tour for which he co-devised the visual elements and played seven characters. He has worked across a very wide range of the industry, from Shuji Terayama's Tenjo Sajiki theatre in Japan to the Royal Variety Show at the Palladium before HRH The Queen Elizabeth II. Simon has also performed for Diana Princess of Wales, HRH Princess Margaret, HRH Prince Andrew, The Sultan of Brunei's daughter Princess Hamidah and HRH Prince Khalid Bin Alwaleed.

 

He advised Nic Roeg for the film Castaway, with the tricky task of coaching Oliver Reed in sleight of hand and was magic advisor to Harvey Keitel on 'Fairy Tale, A True Story'...

 

In his two series of the highly acclaimed 'Secret Cabaret' for Channel Four, he won an international cult following as one of the most original and shocking illusionists in the world. Simon has also made numerous TV appearances both in the UK and abroad. He has performed and consulted with a host of stars including: Elton John, Phil Collins, Dave Gilmour, Meatloaf, Steve Miller's Abracadabra, Howard Jones, Darryl Hall, Bill Wyman, Michael Kamen, George Harrison, Peter Gabriel, Pamela Stephenson, Peter O'Toole and Cameron Mackintosh for The Witches of Eastwick.

 

Simon has toured extensively around Europe and USA with the groups: Camel, Madness and Julian Lennon. He was the first (and so far the only) British illusionist to go out live on coast-to-coast American TV in his special 'Raising Hell' in which he co-starred with heavy metal combo Iron Maiden. The same month he performed magic to Strauss with Carl Davis and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Simon has performed twice as a special guest with The Royal Ballet at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and the London Coliseum.

 

He has headlined at festivals and tours in Canada, New Zealand, Europe and in the UK. He has had residencies at many of the most prestigious London nightclubs as well as a month as special guest in the exclusive cabaret at The Casino in Monte Carlo, Paris and Dubai.

 

Four years ago he opened his own 4000 square foot venue 'Simon Drake's House of Magic' in a secret central London location, specialising in light-hearted amputations and decapitations of senior executives for corporate events and private functions. Last year, due to public demand, he opened its gates to the public for occasional open evenings. House of Magic telephone: 020 7735 3434

 

www.houseofmagic.co.uk

 

© MagicWeek 2000

 

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