Hook Norton magic act turn hobby into career

Richard Young and Sam Strange, both from Hook Norton, have been performing professionally together as Young and Strange for the past few years after meeting when they were just eight years old.

Sam said: “We met after our parents became friends. Our mutual interest in magic cemented our friendship instantly and we have become the best of friends ever since.”

The pair both appeared at a small show near Oxford and it was there that the magicians became a duo.

Sam said: “Our first performance on stage together was in a small theatre in Thame.

“We performed individually, but it was the moments standing together on stage that we enjoyed the most.

“I am 100 per cent confident that ‘Magic Thamed’, as we so cleverly named it, was the worst magic show ever created.”

The pair aim high in their shows preferring large scale tricks over smaller ones.

Sam said: “Although we do perform sleight of hand magic and have a sincere passion of it, our main love is larger scale stage illusions.

“Interestingly, what we have learnt is that although stage illusions are harder to execute, taking into account lighting, pacing, sound, and the theatrics associated with it, the sleight of hand magic connects with an audience more.”

Social media and self promotion landed the pair an unexpected invitation to the show which featured an array of world class illusionists.

Before the show aired, Sam said: “ All we hope for is some positive social media comments on the night to make Banbury proud.”