Some magicians are concerned with making a huge spectacle.
But for others, flawless tricks are not as important as giving the audience a moment of child-like wonder at not knowing how something works.
After learning about magic tricks from his grandfather, Matthew Noel has made it his business to deliver those moments to his fans.
“My grandfather showed me little magic tricks when I was young, like simple things where you catch that wonder of being young,” Noel said of his first experiences with magic and entertainment. “It’s not about the magic for me; it’s about that moment of wonder.”
Noel is a food photographer by day, but each summer he takes his magic and comedy show called “The Magic Yoyo” on tour to St. Charles Parish libraries.
Three years ago during one of Noel’s annual library appearances, a 9th grade student named Dakotah Meigs took an interest in the show.
Meigs, who will be a senior at Destrehan High School this fall, approached Noel after the show and told him he was interested in magic and wanted to learn more about it.
“At first, I thought he wasn’t too serious about it,” Noel said, but he gave Meigs a long list of books he could read on the subject.
Two days later, Meigs had read all of the books and called Noel for more advice.
Shocked, Noel started mentoring Meigs in his tricks and the two have been working together on magic ever since.
“He took me under his wing and gave me advice and books to read,” Meigs said of Noel.
This summer, Meigs joined Noel’s act for the first time during a series of shows at the St. Charles Parish Libraries.
Noel’s annual summer shows at the libraries include plate tricks, juggling, comedy and yoyo stunts. This summer, his shows include an opening act of Meigs’ card tricks.
“I kind of specialize in cards,” Meigs said. “I feel like that connects to people a lot because it’s a one-on-one thing with the spectator.”
For now, Meigs is performing regularly on weekends at Sports Bar Pub and Grill in Destrehan and continuing to hone his craft with Noel.
“I’m hoping that he’s paying attention to all the little screw-ups I do so he can learn,” Noel said. “But it’s really about entertaining people and that’s where my heart is. It’s just fun.”
Besides doing local shows, Noel has performed in much larger venues, such as the Superdome and the Beau Rivage as an opening act for Vince Vance and the Valiants.
“I’d like to work my way up to what Matthew does,” he said.
Meigs said that at school he has become known as “The Magic Man” by his classmates and is often asked to perform tricks.
“It’s like I’ve got a fan base going on,” he said. “It makes me feel good about myself that I can make people have that magic moment.”
For more information on Matthew Noel and his upcoming shows, visit his Web site at: www.themagicyoyo.com.
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