1. How long have you been performing magic?
I have been performing magic for a little over a decade, and it gets better every day!
I started when I was just six years old.
2. How did you first get interested in magic?
I really do not know! I was influenced by a lot of different sources to enter magic. Everytime I visited my grandfather when I was young, there was always a quarter waiting behind my ear for me! I visited my grandfather a lot! (chuckles) Later, he showed me a few simple card tricks he had picked up during his WWII years. My father played cards with me and taught me a simple card trick. This is how I became familiar with my 52 cardboard friends. So to occupy my free-time and stimulate my mind further, I took up magic as a hobby, learning from books. My education in the magical arts continues. To this day I read, perform, and live MAGIC!.
TV was always a great inspiration. Magic on TV has grown in popularity and I watched every magic television show I could. I was not very popular in school. I was actually one of the smarter kids in class and I did very well without much effort. So to occupy my free-time I took-up magic as a hobby, learning from books. I studied every magic book in every library I visited. I demonstrated a few simple tricks to my friends in school, and soon I was a magician! My education in the magical arts continued till this day. Throughout high school I was known very well for my talent. It was in high school that I took my magic to the stage!
3. What is your goal as a magician?
This may, very well, be the most difficult question posed to me. First, my dream is to perform professionally at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. My true goal as a magician is to simply keep magic alive. In addition, to that I want to bring a new look to magic - new possibilities that magicians have not thought of yet. Like David Copperfield, my illusions will be incorporated into stories that are acted out - and many more surprises! My magic consists of stuff not yet dreamed of, and impossibilities on the edge of imagination.
In the future, my goal is to raise enough money and support to establish a theater dedicated to the performance of the variety arts that have been ignored since the time of vaudville. I want to build a stage for all of the Jugglers, Story-tellers, Mimes, Fire-Eaters, Sword Swallers, Acrobats, Balance-Artists, Psychic Performers / Mentalists, and of course Magicians. Throughout my life I have tried to perform on a professional theater stage and I have met much opposition in this attempt. It was this ignorance toward variety artists that inspired me to create a legitimate theater for such performers.
4. Who do you think the best magician is?
Is or was? Magicians have existed throughout time and there have been many great magicians throughout the years. Houdini, Kellar, Thurston, Blackstone, Cardini, Niccola, Carter, Willard, Wilson, Henning, Copperfield. On TV today, we see 20 or more magicians on one show! I do not think there is one magician superior to the other. Each magician is a person whom has dedicated the time and practice to their art.
However, if there is one magician whom I think encompasses the image and feel of a true magician it is Jeff McBride. Jeff McBride is a fantastic performer with skill and charm. Not only is his magic truly spectacular but his wisdom and ideas of what it means to be a magician make him stand out in my mind. I truly admire his work and wisdom! Thank you Jeff!
5. What is the most memorable event in your life?
Well, non-performance related, in 1993 I participated in the National Junior Olympics Tae Kwon Do Championship in Dayton, Ohio. I recieved a thrid place, bronze medal in the sparring / fighting competition. Martial arts is truly a way of life. It has taught me a discipline and control over my body which I would never had developed if I were not active in the martial arts.
Performance Related... I consider every performance to be the most memorable! After I finish a performance, I forget about it! The most important show is the one I am performing next! Only then, do I feel I am able to devote my full energy and attention to that audience. They deserve it!
I performed in a lot of shows. Variety Shows, Talent Competitions, Lectures, Carnivals, Faires. I have two memories that I am most fond of. First, the PaperMill Playhouse show called, " The Difference " where I performed my magic as a villianish character. It was a chance to combine my acting and magic. I also had the privelege of performing at my Senior Prom and to perform one last time for my senior, graduating class was an honor that I will never forget. I could not remember what had happened at the time, but when I looked into the crowd of my peers and saw the faces smiling back at me... I knew I had achieved a great magic in their mind. I created a wonderful magical moment to a magical evening.
6. Have you ever used magic to meet a celebrity?
Every celebrity I meet knows that I am a magician. I have met a lot of celebrities through magic. I have met Asian actor Tanaka ( Large Guy from the '3 Ninjas' Movie ), marine-life artist: Wyland, and singer / recording artist Amber. Of course, magic brings you closer to other magicians. Other magicians I have met include David Copperfield, Melinda - First Lady of Magic, France's Greatest Coin Magician: David Stone, John Clarke ( taught Copperfield when he was younger ), Bob Elliot, and Jeff McBride.
7. Has magic ever been useful in your everday life!
Jeff McBride inspired me to be a magician all of the time! I am not a magician only when paid to perform. I perform magic every opportunity I get. I have used magic to stop children from crying. I have made money appear as a tip for a waitress. I have read the minds of psychics. I have even obtained girl's phone numbers through magic! ( Wink and Smiles ) Seriously, I truly enjoy performing magic and the benefits I recieve are great. Sometimes I am offered a free drink when I perform for a restaurant manager. That is always nice, but the best benefit I receive from performing magic is to see the look on people's faces when the effect is finished. Wether they are smiling, applauding, or sitting there with their mouth to the floor - I am simply pleased that I have brought a moment of magic to their life where they can believe again.
8. What has inspired you most as a magician?
Magic inspires magic. I will watch other magicians and develop ideas from their acts, routines, and shows. I would never copy another fellow magician's trick, but it may inspire a joke or routine that I may develop myself.
Furthermore, I have found that music inspires my creativity greatly. I can listen to a song and develop an illusion in my mind that goes perfectly with the song. Then, I attempt to bring that vision into reality. Music is the greatest inspirational tool for me.
9. What kind of music do you listen to?
I like to listen to different kinds of music. Each style has a different feel and mood. As the song artist conveys a message through song, I attempt to convey a similar message using the song and a visual illusion.
I am partial to techno / trance music... The typical club / dance music. I am also a big fan of boybands.
My favorite Bands and Recording Artists include: NSync, BackStreet Boys, 98 Degrees, Youngstown, Westlife, O-Town, BB Mak, Rockapella, Savage Garden, Linkin Park, ToyBox, Alice DJ, Sarina Paris, George Michael, Aqua, Enigma, Bewitched, Chemical Brothers, Crystal Method, Dido, Usher, Eiffel 65, Eden's Crush, Kylie Minouge, Moby, Marilyn Manson, Papa Roach, Paul Oakenfold, Peter Gabriel, Robert Miles, VengaBoys, Melanie C., and anything on those wonderful Pure Moods CDs!
10. Is Michael Gambit your real name?
No... my real name is Michael Matson. However, I use the sub-name Gambit because it is my nickname amongst my friends.
'Gambit' is the Marvel X-Men character with the ability to throw cards. As I learned this ability, I also became known as 'Gambit'..
If you have any questions that you would like to ask Michael Gambit feel free to post them in the guestbook or email them directly to Michael at
MagikMaker@msn.com
Magician to Magician Interview:
On Tuesday, January 22, 2002, I had the pleasure of being invited to an online chat room with approximately eight young magicians. I was the oldest in the room, however that did not discourage me from chatting with the magical youth. One young magician, Brian, seemed very interested in my work as a magician and mime.
The next day, Wednesday, Brian asked me a variety of questions related to my magical work. I was happy to answer his questions and share my love of the art of magic.
The following is an edited interview outlining our topics of conversation available to any interested magicians and visitors to my site. I hope you enjoy the following casual yet magical chat!
This Chat has been edited for content. Some questions were rearranged to provide smooth transition from one question to the next. What I mean to say is that the interview flows more smoothly now than it had before. Many questions have been rephrased and paraphrased to reduce space and create a more readable discussion. You know how those instant messenger chats can be. With that said… CUL8TR
Brian: You sound so interesting. You are both a magician and a mime. Do you combine the two?
Michael: Sometimes, but it is a little difficult to combine two illusions like that. I mean the illusion of having a wall in front of you and performing a magic trick...it's tricky in itself.
Brian: Yeah. Is it fun being a mime?
Michael: It's very fun! I enjoy it a lot. I actually do a robotic mime performance and a traditional mime performance in my street show.
Brian: How did you become a mime? I am interested. It may be a near thing for me in the future. It sounds fun.
Michael: My experience in mime started when I began learning pop style dancing. I watched Michael Jackson videos and imitated his style of dance. His style of dance is similar to many mime techniques in that the moves are based on isolation, fixed point, etc… all mime principals. Anyway, I learned that I had a talent for movement theatre and studied mime on an independent basis, learning what I could from books at the library and videos and such. About a year ago I had the opportunity to study mime with an accomplished mime instructor who taught me a lot about the techniques and exercises. From there I continued my independent study and progressed through the months. While enrolled at Flagler College, I had to perform a bit of mime for my acting class. So, it all contributes to my knowledge of the art.
Brian: Do you do street work as a mime or a magician or both?
Michael: Both, depending on the day.
Brian: Do you have to obtain a street license to perform on the streets?
Michael: Not yet, I do not think I need one for the particular area that I perform in. However, I must be careful because the area that I am in holds laws against performing on certain streets.
Brian: That sucks!
Michael: True, but I abide by the law.
Brian: I do not mean to be rude, but how well is the pay? Personally, I am a moneyman. I love magic, and it is a total blast… but I like to make money while I'm at it. :-)
Michael: All I can say is that street performing is not steady pay. One night I received almost $200 for working 4 hours. The next night, I only got about $50 for 8 hours of street work. It depends on the flow of people and time of day and such. The weather is also an important factor. There are numerous variables.
Brian: Do you street perform often? Do you consider it to be you job or is that just something ‘on-the-side’ to do for fun?
Michael: Anytime I have to spare I am working on the streets, not necessarily for the money, although it's nice and I greatly appreciate it. I work for the experience! I believe that experience is the greatest teacher for performers. It's currently my job because I do it so often and receive a fair income.
Brian: I agree! The money is the bonus.
Michael: Very much so… The money I make on the streets keeps me alive. It buys me food and cleans my clothes during my college years.
Brian: What is your major in college?
Michael: Theatre Arts
Brian: Nice. Is that for your mime and magic?
Michael: That’s the plan!
Brian: So what profession are you going for at college? A performer? Is there another term attached to it?
Michael: No, I suppose ‘performer’ would best describe my aspirations. I intend to be a magician, mime, juggler, actor, singer, dancer, writer, and lecturer.
Brian: You juggle too? I just started getting into it. I can just now do 3 balls successfully, and rotate the direction of them without stopping. I bet you are way past me.
Michael: I have to be honest and admit that I only started juggling about a year ago. I only stick to three balls and I still need more practice! I consider juggling three balls like being a god and attempting to maintain control over your three-world universe. You have to control their space, speed, velocity and time. It's an interesting concept. I still haven’t perfected the art of 3 Ball Juggling. I suppose I am a better mime than a god. ( Laughs )
Brian: That is an interesting way to look at 3 Ball Juggling. Do you perform any juggling in your street work?
Michael: Yes, I juggle on the street but I rarely do much with it. I know a few basic tricks. I basically stick to comedy with my juggling. People always enjoy laughing.
Brian: Awesome! Do you get big crowds going? What is the largest crowd you have ever had?
Michael: I don't like working for enormous crowds because there are laws against impeding the flow of human traffic where I work. Besides, if you get too many people in one area someone is guaranteed to miss the show or simply not appreciate it to it’s fullest potential! I want my audience to appreciate the show and view it in its entirety. I do not like to see the tall man blocking a child’s view of the show. I feel as if I’m cheating my audience more than I have to when this occurs. As a professional, I owe it to my audience to ensure their viewing comfort and pleasure. I do not want anyone to miss the action. I had a crowd of about 30 people before, and I was satisfied with that number. Judging by their applause, the audience was pleased as well!
I apologize for the abrupt ending, but Brian, being much younger than myself (14) had to sleep. After all, it was nearly two o’clock in the morning when we finished this conversation. However, I appreciate his interest and his permission to post this chat on my website. Thank you Brian. I hope you enjoyed reading through the questions as much as I enjoyed responding to them. Please remember that I will be happy to answer your questions and respond to your comments if you email me directly at:
MagikMaker@msn.com,
or you can post your questions and comments in my guestbook on the homepage. I would love to see some of your comments in my guestbook. Thank you for your interest in my work.
~ Michael
