Meet the Yorkshire magician and illusionist currently performing at Blackpool Tower

“I’m certainly one that’s keen to entertain. It’s not all about the trick or illusion in itself, more how it’s presented that really counts and that’s what makes people love these kinds of shows.”

Michael works under the stage name High Jinx as a magician, illusionist and escapologist. He is partway through his 11th consecutive summer season in Blackpool, after touring around the UK in recent months.

“There’s definitely still a hunger for live magic because it’s always a journey into the unknown,” he says. “You just don’t know what the magician will do or how they do it and that’s what makes it so entertaining.

"It gives a sense of shock, awe, surprise and a few laughs, especially with lots of audience participation. Magic is also a great introduction to the world of theatre and live entertainment, never more so than at the seaside in summer.”

Michael has dyslexia which he says gave him an edge when learning circus tricks. At school he used a wobble board – balancing on a board on a large semi-circular ball – which aimed to help his dyslexia by strengthening his muscles and improving his posture and co-ordination.

Michael realised he was a natural at this fine art of balancing and that ultimately led into self-teaching himself circus tricks such as juggling and unicycling.

He is currently performing at Blackpool Tower, the renowned venue operated by Merlin Entertainments. His 90-minute show moves from magic to illusions to circus skills including juggling, unicycling, stilt-walking and fire-eating.

Michael did his first summer in Blackpool back in 2012. He received two offers for the season – performing magic on a Disney cruise or at Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach.

He chose the latter, performing from the Horseshoe Bar where Michael had watched the Mystique magic show when he was a child.

“To go back there to do my own show was something I just couldn’t turn down,” he explains.

“The Mystique show meant the Horseshoe Bar had become an iconic venue in magic circles.”

Michael did three summer seasons there and then switched to the Viva cabaret venue next to Blackpool Tower where he did a further six summers.

In 2020 Merlin Entertainments asked him to stage his show in the tower itself alongside Blackpool Tower Circus.

He took to the stage on the days when the world-famous circus wasn’t performing – and is doing the same this year.

High Jinx will next be at Blackpool Tower on August 18. He’s also returning in the autumn, with dates on October 20 and November 24 and 25.