Big Korea move for magician Nicola

Irish conjurer is learning to take her act to global stage

- BY JONATHAN McCAMBRIDGE

AN Irish magician who taught herself tricks to perform at kiddie birthday parties has travelled to South Korea as part of her journey towards creating a global stage show.

Nicola McBride, who performs as Nikola Arkane, is now being mentored by two-time world champion Hyunjoon Kim.

From first becoming interested in conjuring when watching Sooty on TV as a child, she has since performed for star duo Penn and Teller in Las Vegas and been a contestant on Sweden's Got Talent.

The Belfast woman became involved in magic while doing work experience with theatre company Cahoots NI when studying for her drama degree and began to teach herself tricks from reading a book.

She said: “I didn’t want a normal job so I decided to invent a magic show to perform at children’s birthday parties.

“I went to my first birthday party and it was awful, so difficult.

“Never underestimate working with children. They are your hardest audience but they are also the best audience because it has made me a better magician.