Paul Zenon
Date Of Birth: 29/06/1964
Magician Paul Zenon has always been a trickster: at the age of eight he conned his neighbours into buying raffle tickets for a non-existent prize – then invented a fictional winner so they wouldn’t catch on.
In later youth, he worked his way around the Mediterranean as a street magician, fire-eater and phoney fortune-teller, then - after a short spell as a casino croupier in Denmark – he returned to the UK where he worked his way into the comedy clubs.
He took one-man shows to the Edinburgh Fringe in 1997, 1999 and 2002 but has also performed for the troops in Bosnia, Belize and the Falklands, at plenty of corporate after-dinner functions, and in a Vegas casino.
In the early Nineties, Zenon presented four series of the children’s BBC programmes Tricky Business and Tricks and Tracks, before making three hour-long shows for Channel 4.
Other TV credits include a 'tricks and travel' TV special set in Sweden, hosting 22 hour-long episodes of Worst Case Scenario on Bravo, Paul Zenon's Revenge Squad for ITV and making regular guest appearances on Channel 4’s Countdown.
Paul Zenon Videos
Reviews
Paul Zenon: Lounge Wizard
There are only so many magic tricks in the world that you can do in a nightclub with a low ceiling and the audience in a wide arc around you. If you’re a fan of the kind of magic that one man and his wit can provide, as opposed to a whole production team with a fly-tower, this is a show you will relish.
The audience are deceived, disarmed and charmed by Zenon’s low-key Northern wit, pitching the tone exactly right for the room. Acknowledging that we will all have seen cord cutting tricks before, Zenon adds a frisson to the routine by using the mic cable. He plays with our knowledge and expectation, our willingness to be beguiled by what we think we see.
There are some truly stumping moments – how is the cup filled with water, where do the lemons come from, how the hell is the note found there and how are we not all covered in beer and glass? Because this is all managed with an enviably relaxed manner rather than flamboyant pomposity, the audience don’t go madly vocal with their response, more modest acceptance of these small miracles. (I admit, I’m an absolute sucker for this kind of thing). In America you’d get some unspeakable floppy haired show-off extorting whoops and applause by demanding it, but in Edinburgh we quietly acknowledge the extraordinary and carry on!
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What makes this show special is it’s not only a slick and engaging performance, but interspersed with biographical snippets and a sense of the history of the magic tricks as well. Most magicians make you think they were nerdy losers as kids, but Zenon is much cooler than that, his anecdotes are playfully subversive with a bad boy streak that enlivens his stories. You may have seen similar tricks, but you won’t have seen them done with such casual elegance and warmth. A really enjoyable, entertaining hour.
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Older Comments
ns - 11/09/2008
An exceptionally talented and original comic. A ombination of laid back, and mesmerising at the same time
Susan - 04/03/2008
Just read a review of Paul here that was full of back-handed compliments - why is it so unhip for reviews to say that they and the audience enjoyed something without having to resort to pointing out their own pedigree? I caught two Comedy Store shows this Saturday as my friend works there and Zenon got a standing ovation on both. Nuff said.
Felix - 25/01/2006
Absolutely superb, on telly and even more so live
Tommy - 01/01/2005
Mildly amusing. To his credit, Zenon is better as a magician than he is a comedian. Magic may not yet be as cool as comedy, but a good close-up magician is a joy to watch. It's just that too many talented magicians throw in crap cheesy comedy, too.
Ed - 10/03/2004
Paul is a great magician and a great comedian
Paul Perkins - 26/02/2004
I have seen Paul many times over the years and when I see his name in a line up I know I will have a top night out. Paul gets more laughs from a 20 minute set than some performers get in an hour long show. Inspired, handsome and consistently funny, surely one of the top comedy magicians in the world today and I look forward to many more appearances on mainstream TV.
Jacer - 01/11/2003
I am totally speechless by the preformance I witnessed on TV by Mr Zenon, what a spectacular and gifted preformer. Go Zenon!
Kristie - 31/10/2003
Paul is amazing! I just watched him entertaining on television just now, and he had me in total awe.
Dom Kingsmill - 15/08/2003
I like Paul Zenon a lot, comedy and magic is difficult to carry off well and those that can do it deserve recognition. Paul Zenon can carry the Tommy Cooper mantle for the new millennium
Rich Dudley - 25/06/2003
Forget David Blaine. Get yourself down to a comedy club and see this man. Amazing close-up magic combined with cheeky and very funny gags. His rapport with the audience is second to none and such an entertainer remains a true gem on the circuit.
MP - 01/04/2003
Old man, spiked hair, missed boat.
Jeremy - 18/01/2003
At last a non-geek magician. Superb
Paul Mortlock - 29/11/2002
PZ is a very talented magician and entertainer 10/10
David Windsor - 22/11/2002
No taste in clothes or material, and the nasal voice got on my nerves. In a word, talentless.
Kris Michalowicz - 11/11/2002
Paul is my idol of magic. He has a talent of peforming a insanely grim trick and make you laugh
Sarue - 15/07/2002
Saw Paul at the Glee Club at B'ham He was brill cant wait till he comes back. He is so good looking.
Vicki - 03/07/2002
Never fails to perform a superb show wether it be in the UK or abroad (im lucky enough to have seen both),leaving the audience wanting much more! He is also a very sexy geezer!
Jaik Campbell - 29/06/2002
Mr Zenon is sheer class and a top bloke too.