Source: SouthJersey.Media — adapted for Magic News coverage
Have you heard the one about how a slightly cheesy dragon costume transformed a notoriously unpleasant young man into one of the most successful comedy magicians in the world?
That, in essence, is the story of Piff the Magic Dragon, the stage persona of British magician John van der Put, who recently brought his sold-out show to Rivers Casino Philadelphia.
A Spark of Magic
Like many magicians, van der Put discovered magic at a young age. Growing up in London, he first encountered it as a teenager at an outdoor festival resembling a Renaissance fair. A jester demonstrated the classic linking rings, then handed them to the young van der Put—who immediately performed the effect himself.
“I guess I’m magic,” he remembers thinking.
Yet magic didn’t instantly enchant him. While he loved the reaction it created in audiences, he found the mechanics behind the illusions disappointing. Still, he continued performing, motivated by the joy it brought others—even if he admits he wasn’t exactly spreading much joy himself.
Fired… Repeatedly
By his own account, van der Put struggled socially and professionally in his early career.
“I was being fired everywhere,” he has said. “I was too grumpy.”
Booked for weddings and events, he found it difficult to hide his true feelings, often coming across as miserable. The result was a string of lost jobs and stalled momentum—until a last-minute costume decision changed everything.
Enter the Dragon
Borrowing what he describes as a “lizardy, reptile-ish creature” costume owned by his sister, van der Put attended a party dressed as a dragon. The reaction was immediate and overwhelming.
“Everyone said, ‘This is it. You should just do this,’” he recalls.
The costume did more than create laughs—it gave him freedom. Behind the mask, he felt liberated to speak honestly, sarcastically, and humorously, without fear of alienating audiences.
“When you’re in a dragon outfit,” he explains, “you can’t punch down.”
The dragon persona allowed him to exaggerate his natural wit while softening its edge, creating the perfect blend of comedy and magic.
American Breakthrough
While his career gained traction in the U.K., van der Put’s biggest breakthroughs came in the United States. In 2011, he appeared on the first season of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, earning the endorsement and mentorship of Penn & Teller. He is now managed by their longtime manager, Glenn Alai.
His profile rose even higher in 2015 when he became a finalist on America’s Got Talent. Although he didn’t win the competition, that same year he landed a residency at the Flamingo Las Vegas—now entering its 11th year.
Mr. Piffles and an Unusual Decision
Piff’s act is far from a solo performance. He is joined onstage by Jade Simone—his wife and longtime collaborator—and, famously, by Mr. Piffles, the chihuahua who became a central part of the show.
When the original Mr. Piffles passed away in 2024, van der Put made headlines by having the dog cloned. Even Penn Jillette reportedly warned him it was a terrible idea.
“It worked flawlessly,” van der Put says. “So well that we did it again.”
Today, two cloned Piffles appear in the show, dressed in their own dragon-inspired costumes—one of whom appeared in Philadelphia.
What’s Next for the Dragon?
Despite his long-running Las Vegas success, van der Put shows no signs of slowing down. He has hinted at future television projects, a feature film, and even a Broadway musical, though details remain under wraps.
Summing up his career at this stage, he offers a line only a dragon could deliver:
“It’s an interesting time to be a dragon.”
No comments:
Post a Comment