{{Short description|Australian magician}} {{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Adam Mada | image = Adam Mada.jpg | alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | caption = | birth_name = Adam Brindley | birth_date = 1979 | birth_place = Canberra, Australia | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date then birth date) --> | death_place = | other_names = The Wizard of Oz | occupation = magician, entertainer, magic/Illusion designer & director, speaker and magic consultant | years_active = | known_for = Possum Magic, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Australia), Band of Magicians, Magic Teapot. | notable_works = }}
'''Adam Brindley'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=UnCover |date=2021-02-16 |title=Mada’s magic career |url=https://www.canberra.edu.au/uncover/news-archive/2021/february/madas-magic-career |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=UnCover |language=en}}</ref> (born 1979), known professionally as '''Adam Mada''' and '''The Wizard of Oz''' is an Australian magician, entertainer and magic consultant. Mada is the magic and illusion consultant for the National Institute of Dramatic Art, Australia's Got Talent, The Metaverse of Magic and previously served as The Australian Magic & Illusion Associate for the Melbourne premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
== Early life ==
Mada became interested in magic in his youth performing for family, friends and private functions before deciding to pursue magic full-time when he was 21. He attended the Jeff McBride Magic Masterclass in Las Vegas, USA with Eugene Burger and has studied conjuring theory with mentors from South Africa, Venezuela, France, Singapore and Australia.<ref name="canberratimes">Cerabona, Ron. [http://www.canberratimes.com.au/entertainment/movies/double-effect-of-a-split-personality-20121102-28pt7.html "Double Effect of a Split Personality"], ''The Canberra Times'', Canberra, 3 November 2012. Retrieved on 2013-01-29.</ref> Mada is a scholar of magic interested in the social dynamics of performance magic, often advising academics and artists on magic theory and practice<ref name="timeout">[http://www.au.timeout.com/sydney/clubs/features/4328/adam-mada-interview "Mada's Touch"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727143155/http://www.au.timeout.com/sydney/clubs/features/4328/adam-mada-interview# |date=27 July 2013 }}, ''Time Out Sydney'', Sydney, 3 April 2009. Retrieved on 2013-01-29.</ref>
== Professional career ==
=== 2009 - FBi Radio === Mada hosted weekly radio segment 'Wonder Thunder' for FBi radio station in 2009, presenting the history of magic and performing effects live on air.<ref>Ellis, Tim. [http://magicunlimited.typepad.com/magic_unlimited_with_elli/2009/05/adam-madas-weekly-radio-show.html "Adam Mada's Weekly Radio Show"], ''Magic Unlimited'', 19 May 2009. Retrieved on 2013-02-04.</ref>
=== 2010 - 2015 - Television and Mada's Marvels === Mada appeared alongside magicians Nicholas J. Johnson and Clare Werbeloff in the 2010 series ''The Real Hustle'' for Channel 9.<ref>{{cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=6 September 2010 |title=Airdate: The Real Hustle |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2010/09/aird'ate-the-real-hustle.html |accessdate=8 April 2013 |publisher=TV Tonight}}</ref> He consulted on ''Sleeping Beauty'', creating an illusion for the film's opening sequence.<ref>[http://itricks.com/news/2012/01/a-gag-worthy-illusion/ "A Gag-Worthy Illusion"], ''iTricks Magic News'', 17 January 2012. Retrieved on 2013-02-04.</ref> In "Binge", an episode of ABC Television documentary ''Whatever! The Science of Teens'', he worked with Neuroscientist John Currie Prof. John Currie to illustrate the effects of binge drinking in teenagers by applying magic techniques to memory tests.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mada |first=Adam |date=13 December 2011 |title=Whatever! |url=http://vimeo.com/33692800 |accessdate=30 April 2013 |publisher=Vimeo}}</ref>
During the 2012 season of reality television competition Australia's Got Talent, Mada collaborated with choreographer Sarah Boulter on a levitation routine for her dance group Ev & Bow.<ref>{{cite web |author=iTricks |title=Standing Ovation After Illusionist Adds Levitation to Australia's Got Talent Dance Routine |url=http://itricks.com/news/2012/05/standing-ovation-after-illusionist-adds-levitation-to-australias-got-talent-dance-routine/ |accessdate=4 February 2013}}</ref>
In 2012, Mada worked with choreographer Farhan Hassan and costume designer Glenna Ng to create 'The Chamber of Secrets Magic Show' at the National Drama Center in Singapore.<ref>{{cite web |last=Allan |first=Ruby |date=24 July 2012 |title=Adam Mada: The Chamber of Secrets Magic Show |url=http://www.therashow.net/2012/07/24/adammada-the-chamber-of-secrets-magic-show/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130703111406/http://www.therashow.net/2012/07/24/adammada-the-chamber-of-secrets-magic-show/ |archive-date=3 July 2013 |accessdate=8 April 2013 |publisher=The RA Show}}</ref>
He worked with Australian Author Tara Moss on her novel ''Siren''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Purcell|first=John|title=Ten Terrifying Questions|url=http://blog.booktopia.com.au/2010/03/15/tara-moss-answers-ten-terrifying-questions/|work=Booktopia|accessdate=4 February 2013}}</ref>
In 2013 Journalist Joe Hildebrand invited Mada to speak about invisibility on a panel at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia including other speakers Brian Schmidt and Ron McCallum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MCA on the Rocks: Ideas shaken and stirred :: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia |url=http://www.mca.com.au/events/mca-rocks-20-jun/6611/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612011739/http://www.mca.com.au/events/mca-rocks-20-jun/6611/ |archive-date=12 June 2013 |access-date=16 July 2013}}</ref>
He headlined the Hoopla Festival in 2014 with his show ''Mada's Marvels''.<ref name="Mada's Marvels">[http://www.shfa.nsw.gov.au/content/library/documents/76223E2E-5056-A83C-FCCC6819485BDF8F.pdf "Mada's Marvels"]</ref><ref name="Becoming a Magician">[http://www.darlingharbourhoopla.com/the-day-i-quit-my-job-to-become-a-magician/ "Becoming a Magician"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502013510/http://www.darlingharbourhoopla.com/the-day-i-quit-my-job-to-become-a-magician/ |date=2 May 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Marvels">[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/darling-harbour-to-become-a-giant-sideshow-alley-this-long-weekend-as-hoopla-comes-to-town/story-fngr8h22-1226886776359 "Marvels"]</ref>
He joined the 2014 Tour of Band of Magicians, joining James Galea, Ben Hanlin and Brett Loudermilk.<ref name="Band of Magicians">[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1505/S00366/band-of-magicians-tours-nz.htm "Band Of Magicians"]</ref>
=== 2016 - Fooling Copperfield and India Tour === In 2016, he was invited by Australian Radio Station 2Day FM to design and teach a trick to Angus O'Laughlin. The trick was performed to illusionist David Copperfield backstage at the Copperfield Theatre in Las Vegas. Copperfield was fooled by the illusion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boy |first=Social |title=David Copperfield, The Master Magician AND Illusionist |url=http://www.2dayfm.com.au/shows/hit30/billboard-music-awards-2016/david-copperfield-the-master-magician-and-illusionist/ |access-date=2016-07-15}}</ref> Later that year, he performed with Ash Hodgkinson and Lucas Itrawan at the Royal Bombay Yacht Club to celebrate the life of India's famous radio broadcaster the late Hamid Sayani brother of Ameen Sayani. Hodgkinson later garnered a large TikTok following, and is known as Ash Magic. His show ''Mada's Marvels'' toured India with Author and researcher John Zubrzycki.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://india.highcommission.gov.au/ndli/pa3016.html|title=Australian High Commission in|last=Trade|first=corporateName= Department of Foreign Affairs and|website=india.highcommission.gov.au|access-date=2017-01-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/A-magical-evening-with-Adam-Mada/articleshow/55838030.cms|title=Australian magician Adam Mada performs in Delhi - Times of India|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=2017-01-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/Adam-Mada-casts-a-spell-on-Delhi-Gurugram/article16696580.ece|title=Adam Mada casts a spell on Delhi, Gurugram|last=Singh|first=Shivani|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en|access-date=2017-01-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/australia-s-famed-mada-s-marvels-magicians-to-perform-in-delhi-116111500410_1.html|title=Australia's famed Mada's Marvels' magicians to perform in Delhi|last=ANI|date=2016-11-15|newspaper=Business Standard|access-date=2017-01-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thegenxtimes.com/trends/australian-magician-adam-mada-to-perform-in-delhi/|title=Australian magician, Adam Mada to perform in Delhi|newspaper=The GenX Times|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/travel/tying-down-the-indian-rope-trick-in-mumbais-shivaji-park/news-story/d473494839f42b3000290578307b710f|title=tying-down-the-indian-rope-trick-in-mumbais-shivaji-park}}</ref>
He served as producer for the initial Short and Sweet Magic and Comedy festival, and coached 2014 Junior Australian Magic Champion CARDISTRY.<ref name="CARDISTRY WIN">{{Cite web |url=http://www.hillsnews.com.au/story/3702722/magic-duos-sweet-success/ |title="CARDISTRY WIN" |access-date=8 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214122149/http://www.hillsnews.com.au/story/3702722/magic-duos-sweet-success/ |archive-date=14 February 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== 2019 - Present === Mada has taken on a number of professional, long term engagements as a Magic and Illusion Director, Associate and Design including for '''National Institute of Dramatic Art''' ('''NIDA'''), the original Melbourne production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Possum Magic. In 2023, he was the Magic and Illusion designer for a new interactive magic variety show, ''Metaverse of Magic''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Creatives |url=https://metaverseofmagic.com.au/creatives/ |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=Metaverse of Magic |language=en-AU}}</ref>
==Philanthropy & Charity Work==
Mada has contributed to several charity organisations with performances, workshops and fund raising. Notably Mada headlined the World Aids Day Gala in 2013, for the Aids Trust of Australia in 2012 Adam was WWF Earth Hour ambassador, prompting criticism from journalist Andrew Bolt.<ref name="Adam Mada Illusionist">[http://issuu.com/weekenderpenrith/docs/fyidec13/4 "Adam Mada Illusionist"], ''The Western Weekender'', Sydney, 2013-13-12</ref><ref>[http://www.adammada.com/news/headline-artist-for-world-aids-day-gala/ "Adam Mada with NSW Governor"], ''adammada.com'', Sydney, 2013-17-12</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Earth Hour 2012 – Earth Hour Ambassador Adam Mada|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPeBd0TOXpA|publisher=WWF Australia|accessdate=30 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bolt|first=Andrew|title=Earth Hour: I won't buy what such people sell|url=http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/earth_hour_i_wont_buy_what_such_people_sell/|accessdate=30 April 2013}}</ref> In 2013 Mada became an ambassador for the Starlight Children's Foundation He is a coach for the starlight captains as well as raising funds form his public shows as part of the Melbourne Magic Festival Mada's Marvels<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/top-10-must-do-melbourne-events-this-weekend/news-story/43914e8b58ba48e970326f53dec7015d|title=10 must-do things this weekend|date=2013-07-05|website=www.heraldsun.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-09-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.creammagazine.com/2013/06/the-conundrum-and-palindrome-that-is-adam-mada/ |title=Cream Magazine : A cooler blend of pop culture » the conundrum (And palindrome) that is Adam Mada |accessdate=2013-07-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628005531/http://www.creammagazine.com/2013/06/the-conundrum-and-palindrome-that-is-adam-mada/ |archivedate=28 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://melbournemagicfestival.com/|title=Homepage|website=The Melbourne Magic Festival|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/StarlightAustralia/|title=Starlight Children's Foundation Australia|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-16}}</ref>
He has spoken publicly about the need for better support for small business, especially in the arts and entertainment sector.<ref>Darnell, Elva. [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-08-13/adam-mada/948124 "Adam Mada"], ''ABC News'', 18 August 2010. Retrieved on 8 April 2013</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Making a Full-time Living in the Performing Arts |url=http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/making-a-full-time-living-performing-arts |accessdate=8 April 2013 |publisher=Stage Whispers}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links == * [http://www.adammada.com/ Official Website] * [https://twitter.com/adam_mada/ Twitter] * [http://www.facebook.com/madamagician/ Facebook]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mada, Adam}} Category:Living people Category:Australian magicians Category:Australian artists Category:Entertainers from Sydney Category:1979 births