My Journey as a Magician in Dubai (Full Podcast Interview)
A few weeks ago, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the wonderful Paula Mac for her podcast, "Portraits By Paula Mac." We dove into a long, winding conversation that covered everything from my unconventional start in magic to the psychology of performance and what it’s really like to be a professional magician in the vibrant, high-stakes event scene of Dubai.
It was such a fantastic experience, and I’m thrilled to share the full conversation with you here. You can watch the entire interview below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3woEaX0PyPs&t=1459s
For those who prefer to read or want to dive deeper into the key stories and lessons, I’ve created the "ultimate show notes" below. I’ve expanded on the stories we discussed, added more context, and structured our conversation into a journey that I hope you’ll find insightful and entertaining.
The Origin Story: A Vengeance Against School
Every magician has an origin story, but mine isn’t one of childhood dreams or theatrical aspirations. As I told Paula, my story is one of revenge.
"My story is not a love story, it's not comedy or tragic... my story is a revenge story. It's a vengeance against school. I hated school as a kid."
Growing up in Bahrain in a Pakistani school, I felt like I never quite fit in. I struggled academically and hated the rigid structure of it all. My escape came in the form of three simple card tricks taught to me by my best friend’s uncle. These weren't just tricks; they were a key to a different world. They were a way to connect with people, to create a moment of surprise, and to feel a sense of control and mystery that was missing in the classroom.
That early spark, born out of a desire to escape the mundane, became the foundation for everything that followed. I didn't know it then, but those three card tricks were my first step on a path that would take me around the world.
The Turning Point: From Backpacker to Professional
For years, magic was just a hobby. My real passion, I thought, was filmmaking. I moved to London to study film, but magic was always there, in my back pocket. The real turning point came when I decided to take a break from my conventional path and travel. With money saved up from working for my brother, I set off to backpack across Australia for 10 months.
This journey was my true education. It was my university.
In hostels, bars, and on the streets of Sydney’s Darling Harbour, I performed magic for anyone and everyone. I wasn't just doing tricks; I was learning about people. I was learning how to approach strangers, how to build instant rapport, and how to handle every possible reaction.
"I came back to London, I was like, 'Now I can do it.' ...I became more confident."
Australia was the crucible that forged my confidence. It's where I learned to "jazz out" of mistakes and think on my feet. I learned that magic wasn't about being perfect; it was about connecting with the audience in front of you. When I returned to London, I knew this was more than a hobby. It was a viable profession.
Conquering Dubai: The Business of Magic in the UAE
So why did I move to Dubai in 2017? As I candidly told Paula, the initial reason was simple: "One word: money."
I came for a New Year's Eve gig and was instantly captivated by the energy, the ambition, and the sheer scale of the city. I saw a place with a thriving event industry and a clientele that appreciated high-quality, world-class entertainment. This was the place to be.
Since then, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to perform for some of the biggest brands and at the most exclusive venues in the world, right here in the UAE. This includes:
A six-year residency at Atlantis The Palm, performing at their renowned restaurants.
Creating customized magic for global giants like Google and Cartier.
Entertaining guests at galas for major companies like Visa.
Working in Dubai has taught me the business of magic. The peak season, from October to March, is an intense period of back-to-back corporate events, private parties, and luxury weddings. It's a market that demands the highest level of professionalism, and it has pushed me to constantly refine my craft.
The Art & Psychology of Magic: My Expertise
One of the topics I most enjoyed discussing with Paula was the deeper, psychological side of what I do. This isn't just about fooling people; it's about understanding them.
"Remixing" the Classics: Magic is an ancient art form, but it has to evolve. I explained my creative process as "remixing." I take a classic effect, like the thousands-of-years-old "Cups and Balls," and put my own story, my own modern take on it. The method might be old, but the performance has to feel fresh and relevant to the audience of today.
Reading the Room with Psychology: Over thousands of performances, you start to see patterns. I shared my fascination with the "Big Five" personality traits (Openness, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, etc.) and how you can almost see them in real-time by how people react to magic.
Open People: They are curious and engaged. They want to see more.
Conscientious People: They are often the engineers or accountants who are trying to logically deconstruct the trick.
Neurotic People: They sometimes worry it might be real "black magic" (I joke that as a brown man, I only do "brown magic"!).
Understanding these archetypes helps me tailor my interaction to make each person feel comfortable and engaged.
The Power of Customized Magic: This is the secret to making a corporate event truly unforgettable. It’s about weaving the client’s brand, message, or product directly into the magic.
"2019, Cartier, they had perfumes... I customized magic with the perfumes. So the story behind the perfume, with the smell, I was doing magic through that. So that's customized magic."
When you do this, the magic is no longer just a performance; it becomes a powerful communication tool. It makes the brand’s message tangible, memorable, and incredibly shareable.
Unforgettable Stories from a Life in Magic
Of course, a life of performance is filled with unexpected and often bizarre moments. Here are a few of the most memorable stories I shared on the podcast:
My Dad Disapproved... Until the Crown Prince: My family, especially my father, was not thrilled with my career choice. Their opinion changed when I got the opportunity to perform for the Crown Prince of Bahrain at a Formula 1 after-party. Seeing me on stage at major national events (and the money coming in!) was the evidence they needed to finally come around.
The Shoe at the Ritz-Carlton: Not all reactions are gasps of wonder! At a lively brunch at the Ritz-Carlton, a woman was so shocked by a trick that her visceral reaction was to take off her shoe and throw it at me. It was like that famous George W. Bush moment! It’s a reminder to always be ready for anything.
The Nigerian Election Campaign: After a performance at a private party, a woman approached me with a very serious request: "Will you help me in the election next year in Nigeria?" She truly believed my skills could be used to influence a political campaign! (For the record, my only platform is entertainment).
Conclusion: The Real Magic is Connection
Reflecting on my conversation with Paula, I’m reminded that while my journey started as a "vengeance against school," it has become a profound love affair with the art of connection. Magic is the medium, but the goal is always to create a genuine moment of shared wonder. It’s about breaking down barriers, sparking conversation, and giving people a story to tell.
Whether it’s for a global brand like Google or an intimate wedding celebration, my job is to create an emotional souvenir that your guests will cherish long after the event is over.