“I just want people to escape their day-to-day lives just for that instant to experience this moment of astonishment,” said a local magician, Nadzri Harif.
His upcoming show, ‘Pieces of Me’, promises more than just tricks and illusions. It is a snippet into his life and experiences, told through the art of magic.
Scheduled for 22 and 23 November at the Laksamana College of Business Auditorium, ‘Pieces of Me’ is slated to be Brunei’s first-ever solo magic performance.
After nearly two decades of honing his craft, the show represents a culmination of his lifelong passion and dedication.
“These are stories that I want to tell. The adventures I’ve gone through over the last 19 years of doing magic and lessons I’ve picked up along the way,” he said.
Nadzri’s fascination with magic began in his teenage years, during the rise of the famous illusionist David Blaine and when resources for learning magic were scarce.
“At the time, the internet was booming as a great resource for people to learn anything. There was no TikTok or YouTube back then. If you failed, it wasn’t online for the world to see,” he said.
Today, the landscape has changed. With more access to high-quality magic and tutorials, the bar for performers has risen. “There’s so much more access to learning magic,” he noted.
What started as a hobby grew into a career, but was not always smooth sailing. Nadzri shared that he struggled to find his identity as a performer.
“At one point in my life, I was a children’s show magician. Then I realised I hated being a children’s show magician,” he laughed.
“That’s when I shifted to corporate gigs, mind reading, and stand-up magic. Then I figured out who I was and what I wanted to do,” he reminisced.
On people’s perceptions of magic, Nadzri said there are still certain stereotypes.
“When people hear that I do magic, everyone still has that old school image in their head of a guy in a tuxedo or dovetails, a guy who pulls a rabbit out of the hat,” he shared.
When he started performing with BruHaha Comedy (BruHaha), which led many to think he was a comedy magician, ‘Pieces of Me’ would reveal a different side of him.
“I’m always a magician first,” he explained. “There will be some humour, some dad jokes, but for me, it’s magic first and then anything else after.”
While Nadzri has performed before, including a co-headlined event with a comedian called ‘Unusual Suspects’ and a virtual show during the pandemic, this is his first independent ticketed production.
After years of setbacks and planning, the opportunity finally came through FestiLoL, Brunei’s first comedy festival. With the support of his producer, Nadia Halim, and the team at BruHaha, Nadzri was able to turn his dream into fruition.
“I’ve always wanted to do a solo magic show, but I never had the energy or the team to pull it off. They have experience in running live shows, and getting manpower and approvals. BruHaha has been clutch in this situation,” he shared.
The show promises to be a spectacle unlike anything Brunei has seen before, featuring a mix of brand-new material and routines performed only for select audiences such as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Royal Brunei Police Force.
“This is not a show where you just sit back and watch. This is going to be a two-way interaction between me and the audience,” he said, adding that there is something for everyone ranging from card magic, mind reading, and stage illusions to geek magic.
What sets ‘Pieces of Me’ apart is its deeply personal nature, not just tricks. “It’s about the stories behind them—how I got into magic, my experience on a reality TV show, my identity crisis as a magician and even being a dad,” said Nadzri.
Talking about preparation and improving his skills, he shared that it requires a lot of practice. “I would have a deck of cards in my hand every hour of the day, sometimes anywhere from four to eight hours a day.”
He further said he would rehearse in front of the mirror and practice with his mom and wife.
“They’re always the toughest critics, and I know if I can impress them, that’s a good gauge. I know the material is ready for the stage,” said Nadzri.
While ‘Pieces of Me’ is a major milestone, Nadzri is already thinking about what’s next.
“I’d love to do a close-up magic show next,” he revealed. “It’s a different experience—much more intimate, with the magic happening right in front of you.”
He is also considering revisiting virtual performance, which gained popularity during the pandemic. “I still have people asking for another virtual show. It was such a unique experience, watching magic on a big screen at home with your family.”
In terms of expectation, Nadzri encouraged attendees to come with an open mind.
“Expect something weird, fun, strange, and things that might be a little impossible,” he concluded.
Do not miss your chance to witness magic in a whole new light. ‘Pieces of Me’ is not just a magic show—it is a personal, interactive experience that combines storytelling and illusion.
Tickets are available at nadzri.maajlis.co.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
