Friday, February 27, 2026
From Grumpy Magician to Global Star: The Rise of Piff the Magic Dragon
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.”
Magician Turned Entrepreneur Dmitry Kim Speaks at TEDxOxford
Originally reported by Open.kg. Rewritten here for Magic News coverage.
At the internationally recognized TEDxOxford conference, former professional illusionist and entrepreneur Dmitry Kim took the stage as one of this year’s featured speakers. Kim shared the news of his appearance in an interview with the editorial team at Open.kg.
TEDxOxford is considered one of the most respected independently organized TEDx events worldwide. This year’s conference featured 12 speakers presenting to an audience of approximately 500 attendees, including scientists, students, and international guests. The event concluded on February 22 at the historic Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, with Kim delivering the final talk of the day.
In his presentation, titled “Who Else Could You Become?”, Kim explored themes of personal reinvention and professional transformation. Drawing from his own life, he discussed the difficult transition he faced after the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to step away from his career as a performing illusionist and pivot toward entrepreneurship.
Kim emphasized that many people limit themselves by identifying with only one profession, often overlooking their ability to grow and succeed in entirely new fields. His talk encouraged experimentation, continuous learning, and the courage to acquire new skills—ideas that resonated strongly with the diverse audience.
Other speakers at the conference included business leaders, scientists, and public figures working in technology, environmental science, and investment sectors.
From Illusionist to Entrepreneur
Dmitry Kim is a well-known figure in Kyrgyzstan, having built a career as both an illusionist and an entrepreneur. Before 2020, he performed in international illusion competitions and presented more than 1,000 live magic shows. Following the pandemic, Kim shifted his focus to business and founded an agency in Bishkek specializing in organizing dates and marriage proposals.
In addition to his entrepreneurial work, Kim is an active blogger focused on personal development. He also runs a YouTube channel dedicated to wristwatches, which has gained more than 55,000 subscribers and accumulated over 10 million views.
His appearance at TEDxOxford marks a major milestone in his career and represents one of the largest international public speaking engagements by a representative from Kyrgyzstan—highlighting how skills developed through magic and performance can translate far beyond the stage.
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Epstein Files Reference Well-Known Magicians, Journalist Reports
Originally reported by The Irish Times. Rewritten here for Magic News coverage.
Recently released documents related to Jeffrey Epstein have drawn renewed media attention, including references to several figures from the world of magic. The files, made public by the U.S. Department of Justice earlier this month, reveal that Epstein—who was convicted of child sex offenses—had a long-standing interest in magicians and maintained correspondence with some high-profile performers.
According to reporting by Naomi O’Leary of The Irish Times, the documents include emails indicating a years-long relationship between Epstein and David Blaine, as well as records referencing an FBI investigation involving allegations of sexual misconduct against David Copperfield.
O’Leary notes that navigating the released files is challenging. The archive is vast, difficult to search, and organized in a way that makes systematic review time-consuming. Journalists worldwide have only been able to examine a small portion of the total material so far.
In her reporting and subsequent discussion, O’Leary explains that Epstein appeared to have a particular fascination with magicians, consistent with his broader pattern of seeking relationships with influential and high-profile individuals across multiple industries. The emails uncovered suggest continued contact with figures in the entertainment world even after Epstein had served prison time for soliciting sex from minors.
It is important to emphasize that being named or referenced in the Epstein files does not, by itself, indicate wrongdoing. The documents reflect correspondence, contacts, or investigative references and should not be interpreted as proof of criminal behavior.
As more journalists continue to review the extensive archive, additional context and clarification may emerge. For now, the revelations underscore both the scope of Epstein’s network and the complexity of responsibly reporting on material drawn from such a disturbing and incomplete record.
Source Credit:
This article is based on reporting by Naomi O’Leary for The Irish Times. Presented by Bernice Harrison and produced by Suzanne Brennan.
DANCERS for BRAD ROSS: International Star Illusionist Summer Tour - Illusionary Magic Productions
CASTING for “Brad Ross: International Star Illusionist,” Return to Six Flags Theme Parks – Summer 2026. This will be a touring production with performances in two theme park venues. The Brad Ross Show is a HIGH ENERGY, Celebration of Magic and Wonder, but even more, it’s a way of looking at the world around us. Dazzling choreography, lavish costumes, and the world’s greatest illusions are presented by an award-winning, international star of magic Brad Ross. Dancers are an integral part of the show as they help Brad create the magic on stage, wow audiences with high-energy production numbers, and assist with spectacular illusions. Brad has assembled a collection of astonishing wonders. And through his performance, he’s inspired audiences to look for the magic in our everyday lives. This full-tilt, theatrical grand illusion show offers audiences a fresh look into the world of magic by one of the world’s respected illusionists. ROLES FEMALE DANCERS: 5’-5’5″, petite, slim, fit, strong stage presence, comfortable with various dance styles, and willing to assist with the illusions. Must have a great smile and outgoing personality, as all performers will be interacting with guests. MALE DANCERS: 5’5″–5’11″, slim, fit, athletic, or muscular build, clean-cut looking, strong stage presence, comfortable with various dance styles, and willing to assist with the illusions. Must have a great smile and outgoing personality as all performers will be interacting with guests.
Salary: Starting at $600/ week
CONTACT INFORMATION
| COMPANY: | Illusionary Magic Productions | |
|---|---|---|
| DATE POSTED: | 2/23/2026 | |
| WEB SITE: | bradross.com/audition/ | |
| PHONE: | 877-322-2723 | |
| E-MAIL: | info@bradross.com | |
| ADDRESS: | PO BOX 236 07076, NJ | |
Sew What
Now available at www.magiciansmagicshop.com The magician removes a silk handkerchief from his/her pocket and throws it into the air. The magician then catches it and folds the handkerchief in his hand while the other hand reaches down for a pair of scissors. The magician, using the pair of scissors, snips cutting motions high above and around the handkerchief. The audience can see that the scissors are not anywhere near the handkerchief, yet when the magician opens the silk handkerchief, a large hole is now revealed. When the silk handkerchief is opened, the middle cut of the handkerchief falls to the floor. The magician picks up the missing cut of the handkerchief which has fallen on the floor, and places it together with the handkerchief with a hole in it. The magician reaches down and grabs a sewing pin cushion, takes a needle out of the pin cushion and starts to magically sew the silk handkerchief with invisible thread. The magician, after sewing with the invisible thread, tosses the bundled up handkerchief high into the air and as it unravels, it slowly floats downward fully restored. There are NO HOLES WHATSOEVER! It looks visually untouched, clean, and appears impossible that only moments ago, it was a handkerchief with a large hole in it. The audience will be amazed and doubters will become believers in MAGIC. If you are an area magician that performs silk handkerchief magic, you will love this effect. It will make a great addition to your show and will make a great stand-alone effect. The handkerchief can be examined both before and after the performance. "Sew WHAT?" - GREAT FOR STAGE AND CLOSE-UP MAGIC Why did I create "Sew WHAT?" I created this effect because of the many cut and restored handkerchiefs I've seen used by other magicians. Gimmicks such as the Thumb-Tip, Dye Tube, Hold Out, or even hidden pockets. I tried using those effects but I felt it just wasn't clean enough for me. I wanted to eliminate any bulkiness or anything that would cause getting caught up or malfunctioning all together. I wanted to just have a clean looking effect. After practicing and putting some ideas together, I came up with "Sew WHAT?" I created it on January 2nd, 2013 and want to share my knowledge and expertise with those in the magic community. Benefits and features: Fully RESTORE a TORN SILK in plain VIEW. Great for stage and parlor magic. Can be performed surrounded. No gadgets, thumb tip, dye tubes or hold-outs used. No chance of mechanical malfunction or anything getting caught-up. Effect can be performed wearing a short-sleeve shirt. Packs small and plays big. Very little cost. Uses a 18 inch silk handkerchief. Visible from far away. Use any color silk handkerchief. Medium skill required. Incorporate "Sew WHAT?" into other silk handkerchief routines. Perform as a stand-alone effect. I hope you enjoy performing "Sew WHAT?"
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