Andi Gladwin Leads Penn & Teller Through an Impossible Maze

 Some magicians try to fool Penn and Teller with complicated props, elaborate technology or enormous stage illusions. Andi Gladwin took a more personal approach—he created a magical maze inspired by the choices Penn and Teller made throughout their legendary careers.

In this memorable performance from Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Gladwin presents the famous duo with a series of decisions. Each answer determines the direction taken through a maze, creating what appears to be a completely unpredictable journey.

The routine is entertaining on the surface, but its greatest strength is the way Gladwin makes the magic specifically about Penn and Teller. Their history, careers and partnership aren’t simply mentioned during the presentation—they become part of the effect itself.

As the routine progresses, the individual choices begin forming a much larger picture. By the time Gladwin reaches the final revelation, it appears that every decision Penn and Teller made had somehow been anticipated from the beginning.

A Trick Created Especially for Penn and Teller

Gladwin’s official website describes the performance as “a trick designed just for them,” and that personalization is what makes the routine stand out.

Rather than performing a standard trick and changing a few lines for television, Gladwin constructed an experience that could only be presented to Penn and Teller. The maze becomes a metaphor for the many decisions that brought them together and helped create one of the most successful partnerships in magic history.

It is a wonderful example of how storytelling can elevate a magic trick. Even viewers who never stop to consider the method can appreciate the thought that went into making the performance meaningful to its participants.

Creativity Built Through Collaboration

Gladwin also generously credited several people who helped inspire and shape the routine. In the video’s description, he acknowledges an original idea shared by Mark Elsdon, methodical inspiration from work by So Sato and Karl Fulves, and encouragement from Eli Bosnick, Harrison Greenbaum, Joshua Jay and Brent M. Braun to make the presentation more personal.

That willingness to recognize the people behind an idea offers a valuable reminder that magic frequently develops through collaboration. A performance may begin with one concept, but discussion, experimentation and outside encouragement can transform it into something entirely new.

Did Andi Gladwin Fool Penn and Teller?

After watching the performance and discussing its possible workings, Penn and Teller ultimately acknowledged that Gladwin had successfully fooled them.

The victory earned him a coveted Fool Us trophy, but the real accomplishment was creating a performance that remained entertaining even after the question of “How did he do it?” was over.

The video has now received more than 1.6 million views, introducing audiences around the world to Gladwin’s thoughtful and highly personal style of magic.

Andi Gladwin is a British magician, author and cofounder of Vanishing Inc. Magic. He has appeared on several major television programs, including Masters of Illusion, The Next Great Magician and Penn & Teller: Fool Us.

Watch Andi Gladwin lead Penn and Teller through his impossible maze—and successfully fool two of the most knowledgeable magicians in the world.