Brad revels in Mickey magic; Disney's world of mystery and fantasy suits rising star Ross fine: Theatre.

Byline: GrahamYoung

WHEN the Disney Live! Mickey's Magic Show rolls into the NIA this Easter, there will be yet another American in town called Brad.

As well as Villa 'keepers Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan, get set to give another big hand to 25-year-old New Jersey boy wonder Brad Ross.

It's 20 years now since a visiting magician to Brad's fifth birthday party sparked what was to become a lifelong passion for all things magic.

When he turned six, Brad took a magic class at the Jewish Community Center in his hometown of Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

Seven years of practice later, the young magician dubbed himself 'Mr Magic', advertised in local papers and found work performing at children's birthday parties and local town events, supplemented by charity shows for the young and old alike.

At 13, his future was sealed when he was taken to watch Siegfried and Roy during their Las Vegas pomp.

Like all performers, he acknowledges that becoming a world famous name headlining Las Vegas is 'every magician's fantasy'.

But, for now, Brad's more than happy to still be learning his trade under the Disney umbrella.

"I hesitate to say that we're recession proof," he says.

"But we're proper family entertainment and I don't think there's enough of that about at the moment.

"We've had great success taking this show everywhere from Asia and the Middle East to, more recently, Holland and Greece." Working for Disney, of course, guarantees a younger audience. And if there's one thing about children, it's that they adore illusions.

Brad says: "Adults tend to lose the curiosity that children have. I've fought against that so that I'm like Peter Pan..

"I've taken great pride in doing this show for four years and I've performed for audiences featuring people like Marlon Brando and Whoopi Goldberg.

"Magic is ageless and timeless - when we saw two girls in half, it's based on an illusion that's more than 100 years old.

"And the levitation of Princess Jasmine is a jawdropper and that illusion was created in the early 1900s." Brad remembers being enthralled by Siegfried & Roy when he saw the 'magicians of the century'atLas

Vegas when he was just 13.

Sadly, their days at the top ended prematurely in October 2003, when Roy was savaged by a tiger - though the pair reunited for a special show on February 28 at Bellagio, Las Vegas.

"(The way their career ended) was a very sad situa..

tion after an unfortunate accident like that," says Brad. "It really tugged at the heartstrings.

"The greatest trick in magic would be to return from the dead. It's what Houdini always wanted to do, but, as far as we know, he hasn't managed it yet."

Mickey's Magic Show is at The NIA, Birmingham, from April 11-13. Tickets from pounds 15.50 to pounds 19.50, subject to booking fee. Call on 0844 33 88 000 or go online at www.theticketfactory.com TicketInfo

CAPTION(S):

American magician Brad Ross performs in Mickey's Magic Show which comes to the NIA in Birmingham next week.