Ali Cook is a historian of deception. He’s a sleight of hand expert, a street magician, escapologist, stage illusionist and performer of thought control. It was a pleasure to interview Ali in our London office this week.
As well as escapology, Cook does jaw-dropping Derren Brown-style mind-reading feats, fabulously dextrous close-up magic, gruesome gross-out pranks and magic tricks the like of which you’ve never seen before.
Ali has written and starred in the television series Now You See It (BBC1),’Penn And Teller: Fool Us’ (ITV1) ‘Dirty Tricks’ (Channel 4) and ‘Monkey Magic ‘(Five), both nominated for the British Comedy Awards & the Golden Rose of Montreux. ‘Psychic Secrets Revealed’ with Derren Brown (Five), The Secret World of Magic (Sky 1), ‘the Jerry @ Trick show’ with Jerry Sadowitz (Five) & Greatest Magic Tricks in the Universe Ever (Channel 5). As well as guest slots on Le Plus Grand Cabaret du monde and The Slammer (CBBC).
Ali’s irreverent persona and respected sleight of hand have made him one of the pioneers of the alternative magic scene. His 2010 live show, ‘Pieces of Strange’, was in the top 2% of best reviewed shows according to The British Comedy Guide. 2011 saw his third sell-out Edinburgh show, ‘Principles and Deceptions’, which was nominated for a 6 star award by broad way baby.
Following these highly innovative live shows Ali has received the highest accolade by The Magic Circle with his promotion to Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star joining HRH Prince of Wales, David Copperfield, Paul Daniels, Lance Burton and other elite names of magic around the world.
Ali has taken a break from the Fringe to pursue his acting career. He played the lead in British Sc-Fi thriller The Call Up. He has also featured in Mr Selfridge (ITV1) and his feature film credits include: BAFTA nominated and BIFA award winning war drama ‘Kajaki’(2015) from the producers of ‘The Kings Speech’, ‘Get Lucky’ (Universal Pictures), ‘The Anomaly’ (Universal Pictures) and ‘The Messenger’ directed by BAFTA and Emmy Award winner David Blair.
