Author: Ryan Kendale

MACAU, Feb. 14, 2026 — Macau’s Chinese New Year entertainment lineup takes a magical turn this year with the arrival of Drummond Money-Coutts —known professionally as DMC—for his Macau debut. The British magician and mentalist will present six shows from February 19-24 at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau, bringing a performance style that emphasizes psychological illusion and audience interaction over large-scale stage spectacle.

DMC represents a distinct lineage in modern magic: a performer whose aristocratic pedigree—he’s a scion of the Coutts & Co banking family and heir to the Latymer barony—intersects with rigorous study of illusion technique and mentalism. His career has spanned more than 52 countries, with performances ranging from theater productions to what he describes as “ultra-interactive encounters” that prioritize direct audience connection.

From British Banking Heir to International Mentalist

The performer’s background provides unusual context for his approach to magic. While his family heritage connects to one of Britain’s oldest private banks, DMC has built his reputation on intimate performances that strip away theatrical distance. His television work includes the Netflix series Death by Magic, which explored dangerous illusions with historical context, and National Geographic’s Beyond Magic with DMC, both of which extended his reach to international audiences.

DMC’s performance philosophy centers on what he calls “subtlety and the experiential”—a deliberate contrast to the visual spectacle that has characterized much of Las Vegas and Macau’s magic entertainment in recent decades. His close-up work, particularly with cards and mentalism, has earned recognition among magic practitioners for technical precision combined with narrative framing that contextualizes each effect within broader themes of possibility and perception.

The Macau Engagement: Intimacy Over Spectacle

For his Macau debut, DMC is maintaining tight control over advance details, citing the fundamental role of surprise in his performances. “Naturally surprise is such a fundamental element of my show—I wouldn’t like to ruin anything for my audiences in advance,” he explains. “The show will be a very interactive experience for every single member of the audience, with a beautiful range of visual miracles, surprises, mind reading… and an impossible finale that people will talk about for months.”

The emphasis on individual audience participation represents a departure from much of Macau’s magic entertainment, which has historically favored large-scale illusion shows in casino theaters. DMC’s approach requires a different venue dynamic—one where proximity and psychological engagement create the theatrical tension rather than mechanical apparatus or elaborate staging.

“I’d like my audiences to experience everything in the show for the very first time, but there will be a host of different impossibilities,” DMC says of his signature style. “From beautiful card magic to impossible mind reading, interactive experiences to psychological impossibilities. My show is much less about large illusions and colorful boxes, it’s much more about the subtle and the experiential. No question, this will be something that nobody has experienced before.”

A Different Kind of Magic for Macau Audiences

DMC’s mind-reading demonstrations form the core of his reputation among both audiences and magic professionals. His performances reportedly leave even committed skeptics questioning their assumptions about private thought—an effect that requires not just technical method but careful attention to psychological presentation and timing.

His articulation of magic’s history and techniques, combined with contemporary theatrical sensibilities, creates what observers have described as a cinematic quality to live performance. The challenge for any close-up performer in a resort theater environment is maintaining intimacy while reaching sufficient audience size—a balance DMC has reportedly refined through extensive touring.

The six-night engagement during Chinese New Year positions the performances within Macau’s peak entertainment season, when resort properties traditionally program high-profile acts to attract visitors during the holiday period. DMC’s booking suggests Grand Lisboa Palace’s interest in diversifying its entertainment offerings beyond the large-scale production shows that have long dominated the market.

Ticket information is available by visiting the SJM Resorts website.

Las Vegas, Feb. 13, 2026 — Penn & Teller returned to the stage Thursday night at the Rio Hotel and Casino, ending a nearly month-long hiatus following Penn Jillette’s ankle surgery.

Jillette, 70, broke his left ankle January 16 after falling while carrying laundry at his Las Vegas home. The injury required surgery and forced the cancellation of all shows beginning that weekend through the duo’s return February 13.

The timing carried a layer of irony. The accident occurred during Penn & Teller’s 25th anniversary month as headliners at the Rio — a residency that remains the longest continuous headlining run at a single Las Vegas hotel. Performing nearly 300 shows annually, the duo’s schedule leaves little margin for interruption.

“We are sorry to have to cancel this weekend’s shows,” Jillette wrote in a since-expired Instagram story following the accident. “I broke my ankle yesterday and on doctor’s orders, I am not able to do the show.”

 

According to manager Glenn Alai, the production returned largely unchanged. Minor adjustments were made to accommodate mobility, but the structure and pacing remain intact.

For working magicians and longtime observers of the craft, that distinction matters. Long-running productions depend on tightly calibrated blocking, sightlines, prop choreography, and timing — in Penn & Teller’s case refined over decades. Even a temporary physical limitation introduces tangible staging challenges.

Thursday’s return performance carried the rhythm of continuity. Teller’s precision and silent timing remained sharp. Jillette’s narrative command — seated or standing — held the room.

Penn & Teller’s partnership now spans more than 50 years. Through projects such as Penn & Teller: Fool Us, international touring, and their decades-long Las Vegas residency, they have built a reputation not only for skepticism-infused illusion, but for discipline.

The return was not framed as triumph over adversity. It felt quieter than that — the continuation of a schedule, a structure, a partnership.

For fans who waited through canceled dates, it marks the resumption of a beloved show. For performers watching closely, it offers a pointed reminder:

In magic — as in all live performance — conditions may change. The commitment does not.

NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2026 — The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts opened “Mystery and Wonder: A Legacy of Golden Age Magicians in New York City” on February 12, showcasing more than 300 rare artifacts from the largest public library collection of magic materials in the United States.

The exhibition, which runs through July 11 in the Vincent Astor Gallery at Lincoln Center, celebrates the era from the 1870s through the 1930s when New York served as an international hub for magic performance. The timing carries special significance, coinciding with the centennial of Harry Houdini’s death on October 31, 1926.

Curated by Annemarie van Roessel, assistant curator of the Billy Rose Theatre Division, the exhibition draws from the library’s Billy Rose Theatre Division archives to present the stories of legendary performers including Houdini, Harry Kellar, Alexander and Adelaide Herrmann, Howard Thurston, Black Herman, and Max Malini.

At the heart of the exhibition sits the collection of Dr. Saram R. Ellison, co-founder of the Society of American Magicians. His donation to the library includes more than 40 wands used by famous magicians of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rare books on magic dating from the 18th century through the 1910s, and early documents and photographs from the Society of American Magicians.

The exhibition also features 48 original lithograph posters showcasing iconic magic performances, magic props and tricks illustrating the ingenuity of stage magicians, and rare photographs of magicians both in performance and behind the scenes, including examples of trick photography.

The exhibition is designed to evoke the interior of an early 20th-century magic shop, with one room recreating the historic Martinka magic shop that served New York’s magic community. The presentation explores how magical knowledge was transmitted through communities and lineages of performers, with apprenticeship, mentorship, and collaboration ensuring that tricks, techniques, and performance styles were preserved and refined across generations.

An opening gala was held February 11, with magician Steve Cohen delivering remarks. Cohen, who performs “Chamber Magic” at the Lotte New York Palace, previously hosted a benefit performance in October 2025 that raised funds to support the exhibition.
“To stand in that institution – surrounded by archivists, scholars, fellow magicians, and members of the press – and talk about magic not as novelty, but as culture, history, and art… that felt deeply meaningful,” Cohen wrote on his website following the gala. “For years, magic lived in footnotes. Passed hand to hand. Whispered backstage. Preserved in scrapbooks and fading photographs. Seeing it presented with scholarly care and institutional respect was something special.”

The exhibition explores how magic evolved alongside popular entertainment during the Golden Age, with performers embracing new technologies including photography and early motion pictures, as well as innovations in stagecraft. Magic was intertwined with spiritualism, theatre, and circus traditions during this period, reflecting broader cultural and social currents.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is offering guided tours of the exhibition and related programming throughout its run. The library’s collection of magic materials represents a significant resource for researchers and enthusiasts studying the history of magic performance in America.

“Mystery and Wonder: A Legacy of Golden Age Magicians in New York City” is free and open to the public at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Shelby Cullom Davis Museum, Vincent Astor Gallery, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, through July 11, 2026.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 12, 2026 — Fifteen-year-old magician, comedian, and ventriloquist Harry Merlin Piper from Salou, Spain has advanced to the finale of Netflix’s Star Search. The young performer is seeking to add another achievement to an already impressive collection of international accolades by competing on the premier season of Netflix’s modern reboot of the iconic talent competition that originally launched the careers of stars like Britney Spears and Beyoncé .

On Tuesday night’s eighth episode, Piper locked in his spot in the finale competition. He survived eight weeks of elimination rounds that left him standing as Champion in the Variety Juniors Category.

The finale airs Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT live on Netflix, where Piper will compete for the $500,000 grand prize against winners from three other categories — Steven “Spud” Howard in the Music Category, Duo Vespertilio in the Variety Category, and Movement 55 in the Dance Category.

With his blend of wonder, humor, and showmanship, Piper has wowed audiences and the celebrity judging panel—including country-pop star Jelly Roll, actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, and television personality Chrissy Teigen. The live nine-episode series, hosted by Anthony Anderson, allows viewers to vote in real-time as a fourth judge.

Watch Harry Merlin Piper in last performance before advancing to semi finals

A Prodigy with a Pedigree

Harry arrives at the Star Search finale as one of magic’s most decorated young performers. He made history as the youngest-ever winner of the prestigious Magic Circle‘s Young Magician of the Year award in 2024/2025, and went on to compete at the FISM World Championship of Magic in Italy in 2025—magic’s equivalent of the Olympics. He has also claimed honors at the Society of American Magicians Stars of Tomorrow competition in Texas.

His path to international recognition was paved by his father, Rodney James Piper, an award-winning illusionist, magician, and comedian who founded the House of Illusion in Salou back in 2003. For more than two decades, the elder Piper has built one of Spain’s premier magic entertainment venues through RJP Entertainment, which now operates over twenty shows across Europe and attracts up to 300 guests nightly to its world-famous dinner and mystery show.

Growing up as a resident performer at his father’s venue, Harry honed his craft surrounded by world-class talent. The House of Illusion has become a training ground for magicians, with dozens of well-known performers getting their start by working seasons under Rodney’s mentorship. For Harry, it was the ultimate magical education.

A Multifaceted Performer

Harry is a multifaceted entertainer skilled in magic, illusions, ventriloquism, and manipulation. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Catalan, he has captivated audiences worldwide and been featured on various television shows before landing on Netflix’s Star Search stage.

On Star Search, he has distinguished himself by blending theatrical expertise with youthful energy and innovation. His performances have wowed judges and audiences alike with a unique combination that showcases both technical mastery and infectious enthusiasm—a signature style honed through years of performing at the House of Illusion.

The show’s judges have consistently praised his performances, with scores regularly exceeding 4.0 stars out of 5.

“You should not be in the junior category,” Jelly Roll remarked after one of Piper’s early performances, noting his advanced showmanship and technical skill that rivals adult professionals.

Judge Sarah Michelle Gellar praised his stage presence, calling his ability to command the audience at such a young age “amazing.” Fellow judge Chrissy Teigen noted after one recent performance, “You are way more badass than we saw last week. What you started out with was so cool to see. I loved the closeup magic so much but then I got to see your showmanship. We got to see all forms of you.”

Throughout the season, Harry has delivered increasingly spectacular performances that combine intimate close-up magic with elaborate stage illusions—a signature blend that reflects the House of Illusion’s own multi-faceted approach to entertainment and his training in multiple magical disciplines.

Ready for the Final Act

As the finale approaches, Piper is both grateful and energized. “This whole journey has been unreal, and I’m so grateful for every bit of support that’s got me this far,” he said.

On Instagram, he shared his excitement with fans: “I honestly can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s the big one — the FINAL!” The post encouraged his followers to tune in and vote for him on Tuesday night.

A Magical Legacy

For the Piper family, Harry’s success on the international stage represents not just personal achievement, but a testament to the magical legacy his father has built in Salou over the past two decades—a legacy now poised to reach a global audience. With a Magic Circle title, and now a Star Search Category Championship under his belt, Harry Merlin Piper is proving that the future of magic is in very capable young hands.

Tune in Tuesday, February 17th, to watch, vote, and find out if rising star Harry Merlin Piper pulls a $500,000 check out of his hat.

Editor’s Note

This is a difficult story for Conjurly to publish. David Copperfield is one of the most successful illusionists in history and a towering figure in the magic community. However, the recent release of the Epstein files has brought renewed attention to his documented connection with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. As a news source serving the magic community, we have a responsibility to address significant developments involving major figures in our field, even when those developments are troubling. This article focuses strictly on documented facts from court records, FBI files, and credible reporting. Being mentioned in the Epstein files does not constitute proof of wrongdoing, and David Copperfield has never been charged with any crime related to Jeffrey Epstein.

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LAS VEGAS, Feb. 9, 2026 — The Justice Department’s late January 2026 release of more than 3 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities has placed magician David Copperfield back in an uncomfortable spotlight, with some entertainment industry observers and Las Vegas locals calling for MGM Resorts to end his long-running residency at the MGM Grand.

The files, released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed by President Trump, include phone message pads, FBI investigative memos, photographs, and court depositions that document a connection between the famed illusionist and Epstein, the financier who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

What the Documents Show

Phone message pads seized from Epstein’s Palm Beach mansion show that Copperfield, sometimes recorded as “Magic David,” left 16 messages for Epstein over several months in 2004 and 2005. The notations include phrases such as “it’s important,” “just called to say hello,” and “it’s jackpot.”

Among the most significant revelations are FBI investigative notes from 2007 stating there was “a clear connection” between Copperfield and Epstein, and recommending further investigation to determine whether the two “engaged in referring possible victims to each other.” The investigation was initiated after a woman accused Copperfield of sexual assault on Copperfield’s private island in the Bahamas. That investigation closed in 2010 without charges being filed.

A partially redacted October 2007 email described in the files characterizes Copperfield as “Epstein’s favorite cohort” and states that tickets with backstage passes to Copperfield’s shows were a frequent gift Epstein gave to young women. Additional FBI memos reference what agents described as a “business list” that “appears to be a compilation of females that he targeted for sexual conquest,” with claims that Copperfield’s staff were trained to identify young women in audiences and bring them backstage.

The document release also included undated photographs showing Copperfield and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate now serving 20 years in prison for sex trafficking, posing together in bathrobes.

Testimony from Epstein’s Victims

In a 2016 deposition unsealed in 2024, Johanna Sjoberg, who has accused Epstein of abuse, testified that she attended a 2004 dinner at Epstein’s Palm Beach home where Copperfield performed magic tricks. According to Sjoberg’s testimony, Copperfield asked her whether she was aware that “girls were getting paid to find other girls.” When asked if Copperfield was a friend of Epstein’s, Sjoberg answered yes.

Alfredo Rodriguez, Epstein’s former housekeeper, testified in a 2009 deposition that Copperfield visited Epstein’s house “maybe two or three times” and “came to the house, played tricks” before leaving. Rodriguez added that girls weren’t naked in the house while Copperfield was present.

In a separate 2016 deposition, when Epstein was asked whether he and Copperfield had “been together in the presence of minor girls under the age of 18” and whether he had “ever provided girls under the age 18 to David Copperfield for sexual purposes,” Epstein invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Copperfield’s Response and Legal History

Copperfield’s legal representatives have consistently denied that he was friends with Epstein, characterizing them as “at most, acquaintances” who met only a handful of times. His lawyers have stated that Copperfield “was completely unaware of Epstein’s horrific crimes” and that he has never been charged with any crime.

The 2007 FBI investigation into Copperfield began after former Miss Washington contestant Lacey Carroll accused him of sexual assault on Copperfield’s private island. Federal prosecutors investigated for two years before closing the case in December 2009 without filing charges. Carroll was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with making false statements to police regarding an unrelated sexual assault allegation in 2009, to which she pleaded guilty to obstruction.

In May 2024, The Guardian published an investigation in which 16 women accused Copperfield of sexual misconduct spanning four decades, including allegations of drugging and assault. Copperfield’s representatives issued a strong denial, stating the characterizations were “the exact opposite of who David is.”

Professional Impact

The Epstein file revelations have had tangible professional consequences. In January 2024, shortly after Copperfield’s name appeared in unsealed court documents, the global charity Save the Children ended a partnership for an elaborate illusion stunt that had been scheduled for February 2024.

Following the latest document release in late January 2026, Las Vegas influencers and social media users have called for MGM Resorts International and the Nevada Gaming Control Board to cancel Copperfield’s residency at the MGM Grand, where he has performed for years. As of mid-February 2026, Copperfield’s shows remain listed among the property’s entertainment offerings, and neither MGM nor Copperfield’s representatives have issued statements regarding the renewed scrutiny.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has broad authority under state law to investigate the suitability of individuals connected to licensed operations and can recommend actions including fines, license suspension, or revocation. Any formal regulatory action would require an investigation and hearing before the Gaming Commission.

Context and Perspective

It’s important to note that appearing in the Epstein files does not constitute evidence of criminal wrongdoing. The files contain millions of pages accumulated during investigations and include references to hundreds of individuals who had varying degrees of social, professional, or business contact with Epstein. Many prominent figures named in the documents have denied knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities or any involvement in misconduct.

David Copperfield has never been criminally charged in connection with Jeffrey Epstein or any related matter. The FBI investigation from 2007 was closed without charges, and Copperfield has maintained that allegations against him are false.

For the magic community, these revelations present a difficult reckoning with one of the art form’s most commercially successful and influential practitioners. Whether further developments emerge from the ongoing examination of the Epstein files remains to be seen.

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This article will be updated as new information becomes available.

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 15, 2026 — The glitz and glamour of Siegfried & Roy’s legendary Las Vegas magic show is being resurrected on the streets of Sin City, as Apple TV+’s highly anticipated limited series Wild Things enters active production this winter.

Academy Award nominees Jude Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley, Road to Predition) and Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man, Hacksaw Ridge) have been spotted filming scenes around Las Vegas since January, portraying the renowned showman-magicians Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn in the eight-episode biographical drama. Recent set photos show the actors virtually unrecognizable in period-appropriate costumes and styling, with Garfield sporting Roy’s signature goatee and spectacles alongside a flamboyant ensemble, while Law channels Siegfried’s dramatic Old Vegas aesthetic with swept-back blonde hair and elegant silk scarves.

The project has been years in the making. Apple TV+ first announced development of the series in October 2022, with John Hoffman (Only Murders in the Building, Northern Lights) attached as writer, showrunner, and executive producer. The breakthrough came in May 2025 when Law and Garfield officially signed on to lead the production, with Matt Shakman (WandaVision, The Fantastic Four: First Steps) directing the pilot episode.

Production kicked off in fall 2025 as planned, with filming continuing through early 2026 at various Las Vegas locations—the same city where the real Siegfried & Roy built their entertainment empire from 1990 to 2003 at the now defunct Mirage hotel and casino.

The series has assembled an impressive supporting cast. Justin Theroux plays casino mogul Steve Wynn, the visionary who brought the duo to The Mirage. Brett Gelman portrays Bernie Yuman, their longtime manager, while Jessica Madsen takes on the role of Lynette Chappell, who appeared in their act as the “Evil Queen.” Additional cast members include Justin Bartha, Cameron Britton, Bill Heck, and Darius Fraser in recurring roles.

Based on the Apple Original Podcast Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy by Steven Leckart, the series chronicles the pair’s transformation of Las Vegas into a family-friendly destination through their spectacular illusion show featuring white tigers and lions. The narrative explores their meteoric rise from cruise ship performers to the highest-paid entertainers in Las Vegas—their show had grossed $500 million by 1999—while examining their complex personal and professional relationship.

The duo branded themselves as “SARMOTI”—Siegfried and Roy, Masters of the Impossible—a signature phrase that appeared on everything from their autographs to the welcoming gates of their famed “Jungle Palace” estate.

The series will culminate with the tragic 2003 incident that ended their careers, when Roy was attacked by a tiger named Montecore during a live performance. The attack occurred on Horn’s on his 59th birthday. The 400-pound tiger grabbed him by the neck and dragged him offstage, causing critical injuries, including a severed spine, severe blood loss, and a stroke.

In a significant production decision, Wild Things will use exclusively CGI tigers rather than live animals. PETA confirmed receiving assurances from the production team about this choice, praising what the organization called “Wild Things’ compassionate choice to rely solely on Hollywood magic for the big cats.” The decision follows PETA’s 2022 letter urging producers to avoid using real animals, citing concerns about animal welfare and training methods in the entertainment industry.

The CGI approach has sparked some debate. Chris Lawrence, a former Siegfried & Roy big cat trainer who was also attacked onstage, supports using digital effects for the series but disputes characterizations of animal mistreatment. “PETA means well, but I don’t think they are as informed as they think they are,” Lawrence said, maintaining the duo’s animals “were cared for and loved beyond any animal you can possibly imagine.”

The production arrives at a culturally significant moment. After Siegfried’s death in January 2021 and Roy’s passing in May 2020, their presence in Las Vegas has been steadily fading. The Mirage closed their Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, and their bronze statue was removed from the property. However, in an unexpected turn, the Neon Museum announced plans to re-unveil the statue this spring as part of its “Vegas Voices” speaker series.

Wild Things represents the first major biographical dramatization of Siegfried & Roy’s story, bringing together talent from across the industry. Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer serves as executive producer alongside Hoffman, Shakman, Law, and Garfield. The series hails from Apple Studios and marks a notable departure from Hoffman’s comedy roots into biographical drama.

While no premiere date has been announced, with production currently underway and post-production visual effects work still ahead, the series is expected to arrive on Apple TV+ sometime in late 2026 or early 2027. For a new generation unfamiliar with the duo’s heyday, Wild Things promises to capture both the dazzling spectacle and controversial legacy of two performers who defined an era of Las Vegas entertainment.