Magician Chris Hodder from Birmingham took a day off work to show Carlisle some of his best magic tricks. By approaching strangers on the street, Chris is hoping to get better known across the UK.

Entertaining people since the age of six, the 23-year-old said he is getting more and more in to the world of Hocus- Pocus. “I love the look on people’s faces when I’ve shown them a good trick. That’s the kick I get from it,” he said.

Recently learning how to hypnotize, Chris is now mixing it with his magic. “It took three months to learn, but it was worth it. Hypnotizing is a very fascinating thing to do, the brain is incredibly powerful.”

His magic tricks range from everything between the classic playing cards to making coke disappear from its can. “I like a bit of variety. I want to give my audience some surprises,” he said.

Having once entertained in front of an audience of 3000 people at Britain’s Got Talent, performing for people in the street does not make Chris feel nervous. “People are very friendly. It’s always easier to approach people in the streets like this, rather than being on a stage.”

“I’d however love to come to Carlisle for a proper gig one day, I really like the place.”

Chris is currently working full time at an education behaviour disorder school but dreams of doing nothing but tricks for a living. “That is my goal,” he said. And surely – with some abracadabra- that will soon come true.

• Read the full interview with Chris.
• Want to know how to become a good magician? This is Chris’ number one tip:

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• Watch Chris showing the people of Carlisle some of his best magic tricks: