By JOLENE OGLE
FRESH from filming naked magic with Steve-O from Jack Ass, Christopher Wayne of the Naked Magicians sat down with Noosa Today to talk everyday nudity, magic tricks and disappearing lighters.
Christopher can remember the first time he was introduced to magic and it was love at first sight.
“My grandpa used to smoke. He had a cigarette lighter and he made it disappear. He pulled it out from behind my ear. I have a very distinct memory of the day he did that for me,” he said.
“It was sweet. He used to tape stuff on TV for me and my brother to watch – it was his grandpa thing. He taped a David Copperfield special and I could not believe it. I watched that thing a thousand times.
“That was effectively what got me into magic when I was eight or nine and I’ve loved it ever since. For Mike and I both, it’s just a huge passion for us.”
Christopher and his partner in crime and nudity, Mike Tyler, spent a year writing what would become their most successful show yet, The Naked Magicians.
Christopher said the show had enjoyed such great success because Australians just love a bit of nudity.
“We’ve done about 45 shows around Australia and every single one has sold out, and the reason is there has never been a magic show in the world like this,” he said.
“We learnt through Puppetry of the Penis busting out that Australia has an appetite for it.
“The success of Puppetry shows us that Australians are cheeky, are naughty and we can all have a laugh about that stuff. It’s a celebration of being real, of being cheeky and being naughty.”
The former Arnott’s factory worker, who lost 15 kg before hitting the stage for the first time, maintains he and Mike are not exhibitionists.
“This show has brought us out of our shell in regards to being naked,” he said.
“I’m definitely more comfortable with being naked and getting my gear off is easier.”
But it certainly took some getting used to.
“I remember our first ever photo shoot for the show. That was the first time Mike and I took our gear off around each other and with other people in the room,” he said.
“There was this nervous moment when we had to take our jocks off and we looked at each other and thought this is the moment. We dropped our dacks and we haven’t looked back since.”
Christopher said life has changed since he became a Naked Magician.
“Women are definitely more forthcoming,” he said.
And their success has taken them by surprise.
“If someone had told me that six months down the track I would wake up and see my bum on TV, I wouldn’t have believed it,” he said.
“I feel very fortunate. I’ve worked my butt off but I’m very fortunate to be doing this.”
You can catch The Naked Magicians 18+ show at The J for one night only on 8 August, at 7.30pm. Christopher has promised a show you will never forget with the magicians attempting a trick that will involve only the audience, and not the magicians themselves. We’re intrigued. Tickets are available from $42. You can grab your ticket online at www.noosa.qld.gov.au/thej or www.thenakedmagicians.com.au or drop into The J, 60 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads.
