Bangkok magician puts tricks in your hands

Before you enter the door of the Londoner Brew Pub on soi 33, look up to the ceiling where you will see the calling card of magician Michel Potts. There's a playing card  (three actually, as of April 2011) seemingly "lying" on the ceiling 4 metres above, where he whipped it one night while demonstrating one of his slick routines.

Under that ceiling, he has entertained on demand  many an awestruck pub goer.  During the Londoner’s 2-for-1 night one March evening, he was at it again. He was easy to spot, handling his beloved cards with an ease and nimbleness that immediately caught your eye.

People are drawn to playing cards. But Michel adds the magic. I’ve seen the wide-eyed reaction of his audience many times and on this night, it went much the same: two European girls are rapt in attention as Michel effortlessly shifts seemingly solid elastic bands “through” one girl’s hands and the elastic she’s apparently holding. When he does it for the third and fourth times, they are speechless and have that “I can’t believe my eyes” look.

I remember him performing this trick to my girlfriend at the time. After doing it two or three times, she screams and falls through my hands. It’s that Thai girl trick of falling to the Thai sitting position on her heels -- for lack of a chair. It’s done so rapidly it’s as though she’d fainted. Phew!

Michel later showed a visiting Englishman and several friends his four aces trick, which he had just added to his repertoire. No matter how many times he showed two aces face-up and two face-down, right in your face, they always ended up face down. A simple trick yet always a mind-boggler.

Michel doesn’t take the easy path. You see, he does all his tricks right in front of your  face, without shadow and distance hiding the workings. His sleight of hand is damned invisible when dealing with elastic bands, sponge balls and his trademark routines with playing cards.

The easy-going American expat retiree moved to Thailand about a year and a half ago after meeting a Thai lady online. She’s a professional working for the national government in environmental matters. To keep busy, he resumed his magical practice and study, a lifelong love. He’s been polishing his tricks for that entire time and hooking up with other Thai and foreign magicians.

His entertaining personality and winning technique have gathered a following. His little pub demos have won him invitations (not to mention free drinks and tips) to entertain at private functions. This weekend, for instance, he will participate in a language school fundraiser for Japanese tsunami relief. The event will be held at 2-3:30 p.m. March 26, at Siam Tower, 16th floor, between Siam Centre and Siam Discovery. Last year, he gave his time and artistry for a fundraiser for a Bangkok abused women's shelter.

Otherwise, you can frequently find him Wednesday nights at the Londoner. Look for the knot of people with the stunned looks on their faces. Michel is the one with the big (Me? What did I do?) smile.

---------------

Disclosure: Michel Potts is a very good friend of mine, which means on the surface I'm hardly a neutral observer. But I wouldn't have written this if he weren't as highly talented as he is.

Comments

[Siam.Rick]

1.

Yes they do, only it's 450 baht + VAT. I did it once and it was a great feast but I can't eat that much anymore, not like I did in the West.

Thanks for dropping by John.

[John Shoane]

2.

Mmm
Londoner Brew Pub. Do they still do that all you can eat Sunday buffet 600 baht? I just love the lamb

[Martyn]

3.

Rick what a lovely story, an expat magician doing the rounds in Bangkok. I'm continually amazed at the kind of people who retire to Thailand.

With a sleight of hand as quick as that you'd better hope he doesn't start serving behind the bar at the Londoner.

[Talen]

4.

Rick, That looks like it would be a fun evening enjoying a cold beer and some great magic tricks...Next time in town we'll have to go.