Drummond Money-Coutts, or DMC as he’s known on stage, is not your average rabbit-in-a-hat magician.
Born into British aristocracy, with a family history steeped in finance, DMC forged his own path to become a world-renowned magician.
In a rare interview with Arabian Business, the celebrated magician discussed his journey bringing magic and wonder to the UAE.
Where the magic began…
DMC’s journey began far from the flashy Las Vegas stages. As a young boy, DMC was first introduced to the concept of magic through books and magicians on television.
When he was 8, his father took him for a visit to Davenports Magic Shop in London – a store that stood the test of time during World War I and II, but unfortunately not during the Covid pandemic.
“It [Davenports Magic Shop] was underneath the main headquarters of Coutts bank, where my father was working. This little magic shop, over 100 years old, caught my eye as I saw many tricks, and books and playing cards. I quickly learned that I could commit to learning magic, and the give people the experience that magic gave me,” DMC told Arabian Business.
His love for magic grew as he aged, and while pursuing his studies at the UK’s Eton College, he discovered a fascination with sleight of hand and illusions.
When asked if he sought professional courses or established magicians before he made his debut, DMC revealed that initially he practiced magic with one of his best friends.
“I met my friend at Eton, when I was 13, and studied there until 18. He is a magician as well. During that time, we would play sports in the afternoons, and go to one of the libraries to study and practice magic, critiquing one another. So, that was formative and very influential in terms of having someone that was as helpful and constructive as him,” he said.
Today, DMC’s travels around the world, learning different types of magic from different cultures, has helped strengthen his core as a magician.
“We began to seek out other magicians and then when I started traveling, I went all the way to India first, where I would look for the local jugglers and local magicians everywhere,” he said, adding that even today wherever he has a show, he makes it a point to find local magicians of whatever kind, learn from them and study tricks of the trade.
The West trivialises magic, but the rest of the world welcomes it
When asked how DMC managed to escape the negative narrative that describes magic as a joke, strange or fraudulent, he said: “There are many interpretations of magic around the world. The West trivialises it, where magic is usually done by what they call a cack-handed magician in a bar or at Vegas, and that’s as far as it goes. But in different parts of the world like the Middle East, the Far East, and South America, magic has a very much different connotation – it is more spiritual,” he explained.
DMC further added that he does not wish to “challenge” any existing notions of magic, rather he would like to bring “convergence” and an “illusion” where people can embrace it more.
The world needs ‘Hogwarts’, and DMC aims to build it
For people to welcome magic, DMC aims to set up his academy where children can come and learn this form of storytelling, he said.
“I knew the value of magic and what comes with learning magic, the discipline, soft skills, and all that at a very young age – and all these things I have taken it with through my journey. However, the vision would be to, to go full circle with that and to have something here,” DMC said.
The magician revealed that he and his team are currently raising $2 million to build the world’s first digital magic academy.
“Once that’s rolling, we then look toward a physical Hogwarts. Of course, it would not be like the magic you see in the Harry Potter books and movies,” he added.
Impossible UAE by DMC
Despite his aristocratic background, DMC isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. He has performed for royalty and celebrities, yes, but his travels have also taken him to refugee camps and underprivileged communities.
Today, DMC finds himself performing in the UAE as part of his Impossible tour held at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi. With a blend of classic close-up magic with mentalism, he continues to capture audiences with mind-reading feats and impossible card tricks, leaving them spellbound.
However, the response has been nothing short of a “dream come true,” DMC said.
“With the team here at Emirates Palace, to create something like this [Impossible] is a dream come true. It is a very intimate space, with only 50 seats as I didn’t want a lot people sat far away. I wanted everyone to be involved in the show.”
When asked why he chose the UAE for his show, he said: “I want to be the first magician to help develop and evolve the interpretation of magic into something beautiful. The UAE has a mentality that it can make the impossible, possible and that is why I believe this is the right place to make magic happen. As I say on the show, I use this mentality as a reminder to everybody that we’re all capable of the most extraordinary things.”
This dedication extends beyond dazzling performances. DMC has hosted television shows like Beyond Magic with DMC for National Geographic and Death by Magic for Netflix through a $10 million deal, showcasing the history and allure of the art form. He’s even dabbled in acting, with a recent appearance in the Netflix series Shadow and Bone.
But, is there an act that he would never attempt again?
“All of them that you see in the Netflix series – I would never attempt those again,” he said. “You are working with many things that happen off camera and I had to see paramedics on three out of eight stunts. However, it was a beautiful experience, but it was exhausting on very level.”
When asked if what is portrayed on television is accurate, especially in movies like Now You See Me, and The Mentalist, DMC said: “As I said, there are many interpretations of magic and these are just one of them. In Now You See Me, it is real techniques but not real ground magic. But, they do some beautiful things – it is a fun interpretation of magic.”
So, what makes a real magician?
“Focus, passion and patience,” he said, calling it the “three legs that hold the stool.”
According to DMC, the world is trying constantly to distract everyone, especially in the age of social media, and focusing one’s attention to sit and work on anything for an extended period is a real challenge.
“People want things so fast and seek immediate gratification. They put something on Instagram that’s going to make you feel good that moment. But, people going and working alone in the darkness for years to create something and really commit to, is unfortunately quite a rarity.
When asked if there is a thing or two he wished people knew about magicians, DMC said that it is actually a “benefit” that people do not know much about the inner workings of a magician’s art.
“It should all look seamless, smooth and effortless,” he said, adding that these skills are honed over time, and must equally look presentable.
“Presentation is everything – magic is step one, presentation the next. In fact, every tiny detail is part of the act and must have finesse, be it your clothes, the aftershave you use, the right shoes, eye contact – everything,” he said, concluding that an abrasive, rude, unfunny or badly dressed magician could ruin the whole experience for everyone.
Nevertheless, as he continues to innovate and inspire, one thing is certain: Drummond Money-Coutts will continue to make magic happen.
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