Magician, Mentalist & Stage Hypnotist

From Marple Bridge to the stage

James Anthony was born in Marple, just outside Manchester, and performed his first paid shows at the Midland in Marple Bridge from the age of fourteen. Magic was the hobby that would not go away.

His other talent took him somewhere else entirely. In 1997 he became a British Champion ice skater. Rather than carry on competing, he turned that stagecraft towards magic, building an illusion show that blended dance, illusion and mentalism, which is a combination you do not often see.

Years at sea

That show took him to sea, performing on some of the most prestigious cruise lines in the world. He spent several years as a headline illusionist with Royal Caribbean, Princess, P&O and Seabourn, on ships including the Seabourn Odyssey, Sea Princess, Splendour of the Seas, P&O Oceana and the P&O Oriana.

The act was built to travel: a ninety-minute fly-on show that worked in an intimate lounge or a full theatre. Performing nightly to an audience that changes every week is the fastest way there is to learn what actually plays.

Television and football

Back in Manchester, James moved towards television, appearing on Let Me Entertain You with Brian Conley and Take Me Out with Paddy McGuinness, alongside BBC and ITV appearances.

He has been the Manchester United Christmas entertainer three years running, performing for players and staff, and has entertained at Manchester City events at EventCity. Marouane Fellaini's verdict was simply: “That is simply impossible, your magic is crazy.”

Magic, mentalism and hypnosis

Most performers do one of these. James does all three, which means a single booking can cover close-up magic during a drinks reception, mentalism at the table, and a full stage hypnosis show after dinner, without bringing in separate acts.

Alongside the magic, he trained in hypnosis, hypnotic language and NLP through Dr Richard Bandler and NLP Life. That shapes how he reads and builds rapport with a room, and it is why the hypnosis shows stay controlled and good-natured rather than chaotic.

He is a member of The Magic Circle, the organisation whose whole purpose is to hold magicians to a standard.