It started three or four years ago and it’s happening more and more often. When he meets his audience at the end of his shows, Fredo receives congratulations from parents who watched him on television when they were little. For five years, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the wordy magician performed tricks on the youth show Bulldog Bazaaron Radio-Canada.
“People tell me: ‘We came because I wanted my kids to see what made me tick when I was young.’ That’s cool,” confides the artist.
He is particularly touched when his grown-up fans tell him that he “still has the same drive.” “The hair is gone, but the energy is still the same,” he laughs.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
From Fredo the magician that we saw on the small screen at the time of Bulldog Bazaarwe remembered the fast flow, the excitement and the joy of living. The character has remained the same, we understand when he confesses to the photographer of The Press be completely incapable of taking a serious break. Remain static? “Impossible!” he says, suggesting throwing cards at the lens.
Nearly 40 years of career
Frédéric Desmarais, in his own right, needs to be in action. His career launched nearly 40 years ago is proof of this. Because if Bulldog Bazaar was the contract that allowed him to confirm that he wanted to address first and foremost 6 to 12 year olds, he was not new to this at the time.
When did he know he wanted to be a magician? At the age of 11. “I wanted to perform, but I didn’t know what I was going to do. I tried singing because my cousin was a really good singer.” […] For me, it was terrible!”
Having a magician visit his school was a revelation to him. “I saw the reaction of my friends [lors du spectacle] and I thought, ‘Oh! That’s what I want to do. I want to create those reactions,'” he recalls.
He learned tricks by consulting books and talking to a magician who ran a joke shop in Terrebonne.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
It became a passion right away. Instead of doing flips with a skateboard, I was doing magic tricks.
Fredo the magician
From his first contract, landed at the age of 11 for a birthday party, the opportunities to perform magic in front of an audience followed one after the other, particularly on television. From his three appearances on 100 Watt Club at the beginning of adolescence to his participation in the youth program of the defunct Yoopa channel Where are you Theo? Passing by In a good mood, It’s your turn, Vazimolo and moreover, he has become a regular in front of the cameras.
In recent years, we have seen him less on the small screen. “There is not much room for magic anymore. […] I feel like TV shows have squashed that. I find it boring.”
He is, however, convinced that people “have a taste for it.” “You go to Las Vegas, there is magic everywhere. It is among the shows that stay the longest on the Strip,” he gives as an example.
More than 150 shows per year
Even though he is seen less on television, he continues to give many shows each year. Between 150 and 175, he estimates, mainly in schools, in theaters and at events, in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada.
How would he describe The magical experience that he will present at My Festival? “It’s a show of visual, interactive numbers. I tease the parents because the children always like that. […] “There’s madness, there’s participation,” he replies, emphasizing that he is very happy to take part in this “unique” festival. “It’s really an incredible event for families!”
My festival is being held from July 5 to 7 at Parc de l’Île-Lebel in Repentigny. Fredo the magician will be performing on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Visit the My Festival website
Visit Fredo the Magician’s website
Magician’s Tips
Fredo started his career as a magician in his early teens. What advice would he give to a young person who would like to follow in his footsteps?
- “Be curious.” Thanks to the internet, magic tutorials are easily available.
- “Don’t give up.” Some magic tricks seem easier than they really are. Don’t get discouraged. The key to success? “Repeat, repeat, repeat.”
- “Develop a character.” Magic tricks can be purchased in shops. How do you stand out? By creating a character and trying to bring an original “twist” to the presentation of the tricks.
- For true magic fans, there are clubs, Fredo points out. Every first Wednesday of the month, he hosts virtual meetings for young people aged 7 to 17 with the Club de magie du Québec. You must be a subscriber to participate.