The greatest show(s) on earth!

Toronto is the most magical city in the world. Don’t believe us? Just ask Ben Train and Jonah Babins, co-founders of the Toronto Magic Company, and two of the many talented local magicians who will be performing live, every day inside Illusions: The Art of Magic. That’s right! Everyday the exhibition is open, a performer from the Toronto Magic Company will take to the in-gallery stage for two hours of wonder and amazement, performing tricks and illusions before your very eyes. And the best part: it’s free with admission!

To get a taste of what you can expect, we spoke to both Ben and Jonah about the bustling magic scene in Toronto and why they’re so excited to share local magical talent with visitors to the AGO.

AGO: How did you get started in magic?

Jonah: My uncle did tricks for all the nieces and nephews and I got hooked! I loved it so much, he took me to see David Copperfield when I was little and I’ve been doing magic ever since.

Ben:  School was rough, but the magic community was extremely welcoming. Every time I went into the magic store, someone would show me something cool or teach me something new. For an introverted kid, the chance to learn new things within a supportive community got me hooked.

AGO: Why did you start the Toronto Magic Company?

Ben: There’s always been a great magic community in Toronto, but a few years ago pillars of the community started disappearing. One of Toronto’s two magic stores closed, the magic camp in Muskoka closed and a recurring show that gave performance slots to newcomers ended. So I started my own show called the Newest Trick in the Book. From the start, Jonah helped me pull the show together and the Toronto Magic Company grew from there.    

AGO: With YouTube and Reddit forums blowing the lid off magical secrets, what’s the appeal of live magic in 2020?

Ben: There is a famous magician, Jim Steinmeyer, who said “Magicians are guarding an empty safe.” With all the internet resources out there, there is no secret handshake that gets you into the magical club. If you want to learn magic, you can!

Jonah: Those secrets are the “empty safe.” But those secrets carry no value without the experience and thrill of live performance. That’s why the same trick can be magical when performed by one magician, but can fall flat for another.

AGO: With so much happening in the city, why should someone come to the AGO to see one of the Toronto Magic Company performances?

Ben: What we offer is an experience. You can see something crazy anywhere, but we want people to come out and experience something crazy!

Jonah: People often tell us they’ve seen lots of magic online or on TV, but it doesn’t compare to the experience of seeing it close up, before your eyes. When it comes to magic, you have to experience it live. That’s the whole point!

AGO: With a different performance each day of the week, what are you most excited to share with visitors to the AGO.

Jonah: The “teach a trick” on Saturdays is really exciting. Magic secrets are completely different these days, but we’re excited to teach visitors some cool new things.

Ben: The Toronto Magic Showcase on Friday’s is also really great. Every week we’re going to feature a different up-and-coming magician from the world’s most magical city – Toronto! We keep telling people to come on Friday to see the magic, then come back on Saturday to learn a little more about it.

For a list of all the Toronto Magic Company performers and performances appearing at the AGO, visit the company’s website or visit the AGO any day we’re open between 2 and 4 pm to see for yourself. 

Admission to the AGO Collection and all special exhibitions is always free for AGO Members, AGO Annual Pass holders and visitors 25 and under.