A peek behind the magic of Cosentino, the grand illusionist

Peninsula-based world-renowned entertainer and International Magician of the Year Cosentino astonishes audiences everywhere. Now he’s celebrating 10 years as Australia’s most successful magician, illusionist and escape artist with a new 90-minute live show called Decennium, which is his greatest hits tour. It’s travelled around regionally, nationally and overseas to Singapore and New Zealand, where it never fails to thrill the audience’s senses with mindboggling stage illusions and cutting-edge street magic. It was also turned into a nail-biting 90-minute television special for Channel 7 that aired in May last year; you can stream the magic on 7plus. Due to popular demand, he’s created Decennium 2.0 for a limited run at The Palms, Crown Melbourne with four shows over July 13 and 14. As Cosentino prepares for Decennium 2.0, he provided us with an insight into what audiences can expect.

“Decennium 2.0 is complex, detailed, challenging and death-defying,” he said. “I’ve added more locks, and I will be holding my breath for even longer. I just keep adding to it. There is a lot of precision involved; every movement has to be 100 per cent accurate. I interact with the audience and involve them in the experience. I drew from eight television specials, an international series and multiple national tours to come to an equilibrium of material that is funny, dramatic and romantic.”

Cosentino became a household name thanks to accolades including runner-up on Australia’s Got Talent in 2011, winning Dancing With The Stars in 2013, a threetimes Australian award-winning magician, a nominee for the prestigious Helpmann Awards, a multi-award-winner of the Merlin from the International Magicians’ Society, and winner of the 2015 Levante Award.

Last we spoke to Cosentino, he’d postponed shows due to COVID-19 restrictions. So we had to ask how was returning to the stage with a live audience. He said shows over Zoom simply did not compare, as the audience was muted. The interaction at the live shows was a little overwhelming at first after two years off, but after a beat it was glorious to hear the audience react again so he could receive immediate feedback on the performance.

“I also forgot how challenging my job was, which sounds crazy. It’s like going to the gym: you work out every day, you build stamina, fitness and muscle, but if you stop for two years and then when you do go back, you’ll think ‘Wow, how did I ever lift such a heavy weight?’ You have to constantly keep at it and be on top of your game.”

Since our last interview in mid-2021, Cosentino got married to Priscilla, launched a sixth cartoon book with a seventh in the works, caught up on performances that were pushed back due to lockdowns, and had a spot on the Seven Network’s Hey Hey It’s Saturday 50th anniversary show Hey Hey It’s 50 Years, a throwback to his appearance on the show’s Red Faces segment back when he was 14 years old. Looking forward, the grand illusionist has television projects in the pipeline as well as a new show to plan and test in the studio for his tour next year.

Would you believe there are more tricks up his sleeve? Cosentino also has his own deck of cards thanks to a collaboration with Australian playing card manufacturer Queen’s Slipper, with video tutorials to match. Adding to his impressive list of achievements is his inspiring autobiography Anything is Possible. After a sell-out success of not one but two magic kits, he’s focusing on making the third better than ever with new tricks that will have budding magicians creating jaw-dropping moments at home.

Be mesmerised by Cosentino’s trademark blend of dance, illusion and magic by following his Instagram @ thecosentino