By NICOLE VALICEK
Fifteen-year-old Jake Wilkinson has a lot of tricks up his sleeve and he has spent the past five years mastering them.
The self-taught magician from Bayside P-12 College recently performed as part of the school’s Roadshow program.
The music performance roadshow sees students perform at aged care facilities, primary schools and local markets as a platform to engage young people to support and contribute to the local community.
“We encourage our students through the music program to become community citizens,” school music co-ordinator Sharyn Toms said.
The young showman has learnt more than 150 tricks that range from cards to bigger stage performances.
“At the start, it took me about a month to get a trick perfect, now I can do it in a couple of days,” Jake said.
Jake admits it is an expensive hobby with one trick costing $100, but it’s worthwhile when he gets a positive response from an audience. “It’s something different to everyone else, and also I really like doing it because it’s a challenge too.”
He said he was working up to the trick that involves sawing someone in half.
There is already a demand for the future Houdini who performs at functions and children’s parties.
“It’s not every day I get people going I heard you’re really good I want you to come to this party for me.”
“I’d like to continue with my magic and try to work my way up to bigger audiences, if I can travel around and do it in front of 500 people that would be great.”
A big component of his show is audience participation.
His favourite and most recognisable trick involves a piece of paper and an audience member’s signature, Jake rips up the paper and presto he is able to restore it.
