About Brian – His Story

Brian does not come from a family with an entertainment background. However, his love for the arts and entertainment from such an early age came from his schooling days. And because his father worked as a chef in one of Malta’s most prominent hotels at the time.

He was born on Malta’s sister island Gozo in the early 70s. Brian is the first Maltese magician to date, to have performed magic on a professional basis across the world on an international level.

He attended school at Stella Maris College. There he enjoyed art and drama classes most, making sure to participate in every school production. Whether playing an angel in the Christmas pageant or the lead role of an Egyptian High Priest, Brian loved the stage.

The hotel his father worked in, brought in top acts from the UK and other parts of the world as part of their entertainment program. These included acts such as Pancho Villa, The Black & White Ministrels, and more. Brian’s father brought home autographed headshots of these top artists for Brian, and Brian became fascinated with show business.

His Uncle Ignite’s Brian’s Love For Magic

In the 80s and 90s, two magicians, big names in the world of magic, formed Brian’s love of magic. At the time, local television stations were showing the TV specials of Paul Daniels and David Copperfield. These were of course Brian’s favourite programs to watch.

Brian picked on Paul Daniels wittiness and comedy while taking in the dramatic approach of David Copperfield’s theatrical acts. In fact, Brian’s style mainly adapts from these two magicians.

Of course, throughout the years, many other magicians came along in Brian’s life, shaping different forms of performances that Brian offers today. Magicians such as Penn & Teller, Siegfreid and Roy, Lance Burton, and several others. The list is too long to mention them all here, so long that it would make a list of several magicians from across the world too many to mention. But it was not solely television that shaped Brian’s magic. There were the books and a very important life change when he was just 15 years, triggering off magic as his life passion. This change came about in London.

In his teens, Brian was lucky to have spent almost a year in London, where he attended school at St George’s School in Maida Vaile. The school itself had a vast library, with all subjects including magic. As you can imagine, all the books Brian borrowed from that library were magic based. 

But it was not just the school’s library keeping the fire burning for Brian. It was the fact that the famous Davenport’s Magic Shop, at the Charring Cross station, was just a five-minute subway journey away.  Brian would spend most of his Saturday mornings at this magic den. 

There he would look at the magical displays, go in, and spend time seeing the latest tricks being demoed and perhaps come out with something more affordable than what he really wanted or could afford at the time. 

When not there on a Saturday morning, you could probably find Brian at the International Magic Shop, Hamley’s at the Marvin’s Magic sections or in Selfridges browsing through the magic shelf. 

On sunny Saturday afternoons, Brian would usually end up at Hyde Park practicing a magic trick he just bought or learned.

On his return from London and until his early 20s, Brian kept active in magic, giving a few performances for family and in talent shows. Then in 1996, Brian reached out to an ad offering a 6 week magic course by the local magic club, Malta Magician’s Society Ring 202. The same club is an affiliation of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. 

There he met all of the local magicians, many of whom he had seen performing their show during a children’s party when he was younger. After the course, Brian received an invitation to join the club. He auditioned and passed going on to become a member of IBM Ring 202 Malta. He was then eligible to join the International Brotherhood of Magicians, which he did and has been a full member of both since 1997. 

In 1997 Brian gave his first ever paid-for show. The Audience to a bunch of kids during a first Holy Communion party in Marsaxlokk. This is a quaint fishing village in Malta. Although this was not the first show show Brian ever gave, it was the first paid one as a magician. Also the first as member of the largest magician’s society in the world.

By 1999, Brian had been performing children’s magic shows across Malta and Gozo. He took part in some small-scale stage productions and performed a couple of spots on local television. But he knew he was destined for larger things. In December 1999, a circus featuring a full-scale magic show with tigers and other wild animals came to Malta. This was a time when such animals were still allowed in circuses in Malta. The star magician of the show was Eva Julia Christiie, the world’s first female illusionist with wild animals. Brian eagerly went to watch the show, and after it introduced himself to Eva. 

Brian expressed his wishes and seeing his eagerness, ambitious approach, and skills, Eva offered the opportunity of a lifetime. A contract performing 35 shows over 3 weeks on stage for a huge event in Mexico. Brian could not imagine how huge the event was until arriving at the venue in Mexico in March 2000.

“Around 250,000 people watch Brian perform in Mexico”

It was through Eva Julia Chritiie’s persuasion that Brian and Lola start working together. And in January 2000, they did just that.

This was the moment in time starting what would become a strong alliance and partnership in magic and within their personal lives together throughout these years.

At the time of meeting and working with Brian, Lola Palmer already had experience as a professional dancer. She danced with the Alison White Dancers and as a magician’s assistant on a cruise ship. She had performed in most of the major dance shows in Malta and on television. With the Alison White Dance Group, Lola Palmer danced in hotels, for theatre productions, and on popular weekly TV programs.

Her passion for dance and performing showed through her professionalism during each performance.

Brian has performed across the world, wowing audiences from South America to Asia. He has brought his art of magic and illusion to Amsterdam, Mexico, Germany, Spain, India, China, Norway, Belgium, London, Italy, Greece, Dubai, Qatar, Ireland and of course Malta. Most of the time Lola Palmer is accompanying him.

Brian provided his show for several hotels, night clubs and casinos worldwide. He has also performed for corporate and VIP events. Such events include the Ritz Carlton in Doha, or the ICICI in Mumbai or the Westar Watch launch in Dubai. 

Brian’s experience on cruise ships vary from a headlining show to close up magic. His acts were shown in variety shows and dinners shows. And he was part of magic festivals, as was the festival at Happy Valley in Beijing China. So far, no other magician in Malta has performed so extensively across the world. No other magician in Malta is a full time professional international magician. Brian openly admits he is lucky to have been the first Maltese magician ever to achieve this!

In 2007 Brian was accepted to join the most prestigious magic club in the world, The Magic Circle in London. He’s been a member since. Through The Magic Circle, he not only gains recognition as a quality magician but also friendships with many magicians across the world.

To date, Brian has visited the Magic Circle headquarters in London a few times during his membership. When there he enriches his knowledge through the Circle’s vast historic magic library and museum. These are member-only privileges available for members only. The museum is rich in history with professional magic centerpieces on display. Some once belonging to magicians such as Robert Houdin and Harry Houdini. There are things once belonging to Ali Bongo, Tommy Cooper, Paul Daniels, Penn & Teller, and other legends of magic. Each piece comes with its own story and there is always something to learn on each visit. This makes Brian a much more knowledgeable and respected magician among his peers.

In 2011, Brian Role` and Lola Palmer set up The Chamber of Mysteries dinner show in Malta.

The show is still running to date (May 2024) and is set in its own theatre in Malta. Garnering numerous positive reviews and awards it is the only weekly full scale magic show in Malta.

This is a first in Malta for any magician to receive such an award. The first time any magician has had such a long run of weekly shows on the island. It is also the longest-ever running weekly dinner show of any kind in Malta. Truly a great achievement for Brian and Lola. A milestone in the history of magic in Malta.

In the meantime, between 2011 and today (2024), Brian, although committed to the dinner show, still finds time to travel and share his magic. Giving performances wherever possible across the world.

Like everyone else on earth, Brian’s job was affected by the 2019 Corona Virus. Luckily, just before the global Covid-19 lockdowns in March 2020, Brian’s last travels were in Valencia, London, North Wales, and Ireland all during 2019, and Madrid in January 2020. This was enough for Brian to enjoy a couple of years without travelling.

During the lockdowns, Brian, like other magicians, could not give a physical performance. However, this did not stop him from giving virtual performances online. This led him to be summoned by the President of the International Assembly of the Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.), Dr Anthony Darkstone, to become a member of the same society. A calling that Brian proudly accepted. From there, Brian went on to give several virtual live performances for the International Assembly of the S.A.M. Online Gala Shows, alongside world-renowned names such as Kevin James, Abigail Mc Bride, Bill Palmer, and others.

In June 2023, Brian was officially appointed a Board Member of the ‘Association de Magiciens Internationaux  ( A.M.I ) ‘. This is a newly inagurated magic club, that has members from across the world.

The A.M.I. brings together those who have a genuine passion for Magic. It is an Organization fostering good international relations, camaraderie, and friendship through magic.

The Board, who bring a wealth of talent to the A.M.I.,  is made up of a mix of aged experienced performers from across the world.  The organisation’s prime purpose is to do all that is possible to make AMI a friendly organization that seeks to advance the Art. 

Brian Role` appeared in an online Gala Show entitled, ‘UNE CELEBRATION DE L’AMITIÉ MAGIQUE’ that included an International cast with magically-renowned names such as Arthur Tivoli, Kenton Knepper, and many more. During the show, Brian gave his wonderful performance from within a Palace. You can watch it online here: https://amimagic.club/blog/celebration-de-e-magique-gala-show/

A major element driving Brian in his professional magic career is the wonderment he creates in audiences. 

Those expressions of sheer astonishment, as borrowed items vanish from the audience’s hands and reappear in some impossible location during close-up magic.

The hushing sound is the sense of awe an audience experiences when they see something impossible happen in front of their eyes during stage magic. 

That pure joy, laughter and excitement children experience during a kid’s magic parlour show.