Life according to...

Illusionist Darcy Oake

When did you first get into magic?

Aged about seven or eight, completely by accident. My dad was playing with a deck of cards. He told me to pick a card, so I picked one, looked at it and put it back in the pack. He was playing it off like he was a pro magician. He said he was going to find my card. He did it and I was absolutely blown away. I had no idea how he did it. He tortured me. He wouldn’t tell me the secret for months. Then, finally, I learned it was a complete accident! That month where I didn’t know how, it played with my head. I was just so fascinated about learning how to do it.

How excited are you to do shows in Scotland?

I’ve been to Glasgow once before, on the last tour. I remember the audience being so vocal. It was such a cool vibe, a cool dynamic. They were so into it. There was good back-and-forth banter. We had the day off afterwards so we went out and I remember everyone being so friendly and fun.

How much did Britain’s Got Talent change your life?

I went on the show hoping not to get buzzed. To have it pan out this way is such a dream come true. I was working before, but artistically unsatisfied. BGT flipped the whole thing and people started to come to see me.

How difficult is it to come up with new ideas for illusions?

That’s the name of the game, coming up with a new spin on a classic art form. For my show, people are going to be standing, moving around the room. It’s immersive, not like you’re sitting watching a theatre show.

Are you constantly thinking of magic or can you switch off?

My passion is performing and creating material. I find it relaxing. I love it. It never feels like work to me. The time just flies by because it’s so enjoyable.

How does it feel stepping out on stage ready to blow the audience’s mind?

With tried and tested material, you get really excited to go out and do it. You have the previous times that it worked to reference. You know the type of reaction you’ll get. The exciting thing, too, is trying new bits. It’s never 100% the first time. An idea needs to be tested in front of an audience multiple times. You can figure out how it works, the nuances, and what makes the audience react in a certain way. That’s where I get really excited. Trying out a new bit and figuring out where to take it and how to evoke that emotion from the audience. You’re nurturing the idea and making it the best it can be. I live for the whole journey.

I went on BGT hoping not to get buzzed

Darcy Oake is at The Caves, Edinburgh, on March 22, and Saint Luke’s, Glasgow, on March 23