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Dachauer Bub is allowed to enchant Las Vegas

2021-11-06T06:43:41.852Z


Maximilian Schmalhofer or “Magic Maxl” is one of the youngest up-and-coming talents in the German magic circle. Now the 14-year-old can perform with the famous magic duo "Penn & Teller" in Las Vegas.


Maximilian Schmalhofer or “Magic Maxl” is one of the youngest up-and-coming talents in the German magic circle.

Now the 14-year-old can perform with the famous magic duo "Penn & Teller" in Las Vegas.

Dachau

- Maximilian Schmalhofer is a modest boy.

"I turned to the casting agency for the Penn & Teller US TV show with an introductory video and without great expectations," he reports.

Accordingly, he was “surprised” “that they got in touch with me after two weeks with positive news about shooting a TV episode”.  

Maxl's mother Venesa Schmalhofer also admits that she “really didn't expect an answer”, “for us it wasn't much more than a nice attempt at first”.

But then the Schmalhofers should not have been completely without hope.

The 14-year-old Maximilian has been on the magic scene as “Magic Maxl” for several years, won championships and has already had one or two TV appearances on German television.

It is only logical for the young magician that he now dares to take the next step.

Known to an audience of millions

The magician duo "Penn & Teller", however, is a really big step. In addition to their regular show in Las Vegas, the two are known to an audience of millions through their TV show "Fool us" (German: "Täusche uns"). The show is said to have magicians perform a trick that Penn and Teller cannot explain. If the magicians can do this, they'll win an appearance on their Las Vegas show. In order to be able to take part in "Fool us", you need courage and a good knowledge of English above all: Ability!

After initial positive feedback from the USA, the Schmalhofers really went to great lengths: Led by a production team from America, the film was shot for six hours in Dachau in May and June.

Just finding a suitable location “wasn't that easy”, as Maxl's father Michael Schmalhofer reveals: “Because recording requires a lot of expensive equipment and space.” Ultimately, a family friend and owner of the pyrotechnics company introduced “Fire Ice and Magic ”has one of its rooms at its disposal.

Shoot in complete secrecy

The shoot had to be done in secret: The Schmalhofers had committed themselves not to speak publicly about Maxl's appearance before the first broadcast of the feature in the USA. Only the closest friends knew about it. Venesa Schmalhofer recalls: "Even after the shoot, it was not yet clear whether Maxl would make it into the production with his episode, because not all of the recordings will be included in the television series."

But Maxl's magical recording actually made it into the second episode of the eighth "Fool us" season. And there the Dachau man succeeded in doing the trick: Magic Maxl let a peeled breakfast egg float over the table as if by magic and finally disappear in his hand. Even the professionals couldn't explain this trick and admitted that the young man from Dachau had "fooled" them. With the deception of the magicians Penn & Teller, Maxl is not only the youngest winner ever in the television series, but he has also won the opportunity to appear in the magical duo's famous Las Vegas show!

“To fool Penn & Teller, all it takes is a brief, crucial moment when they don't see how the magic trick works.

Many good magicians have already failed because of this, "explains Maxl proudly and adds:" In the magic circle, a victory is considered the greatest honor.

To do magic at all in front of Penn & Teller is one of the greatest goals of every wizard! "

2018 already once to the magic congress in Vegas

In Las Vegas, Maxl, who had already traveled to the desert city for a wizarding congress in 2018, is said to perform the same tricks that he used to deceive Penn & Teller on TV, reveals Maxl's dad Michael. The only problem: the corona-related obstacles to entry into the USA. The performance, says the 14-year-old, “will therefore probably be delayed until next year”. Nevertheless, he is "really looking forward to the performance", as he proudly emphasizes.

The parents are relaxed about their son's success.

They support him wherever they can: "It is important to us that there is no pressure or compulsion, he should simply be able to do magic with fun and freely." Nevertheless, Mother Venesa emphasizes, school always comes first.

“We want him to have an open future and not just cramp on magic.

In case of doubt, the media presence has secondary importance for us. "

But Maxl, who is in the ninth grade of the Ignaz-Taschner-Gymnasium in Dachau, is sensible.

“The most important thing is graduation!” He's relaxed about the TV appearances anyway: “I don't have stage fright any more.” But a bit of “positive excitement” is still a part of his appearances.

Sure, his show should also be magical ...

You can watch Maximilian Schmalhofer's magical appearance on “Fool us” on YouTube.

Keyword: Penn and Teller Fool us - Magic Maxl - Youngest fooler ever!

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Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-11-06

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