About Alan
Meet Alan Watson QSM
A full-time professional magician and entertainer based in Auckland, New Zealand, for more than 30 years performing for families, corporate clients and fellow magicians around the world.
Alan’s story
Alan Watson has built a career performing every kind of magic, close-up at the table, strolling among guests, family shows and trade show presentations. In 2015 he was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for services as a magician, and in 2025 he received a star on the New Zealand Walk of Fame.
Resident magician
For 26 years Alan was resident magician at Rainbow’s End, New Zealand’s largest theme park, presenting his family magic and illusion show. He was also the resident close-up magician at Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant, where he performed on 1,423 nights. Across 1992–93 alone he performed 1,005 shows.
The Magic Castle and The Magic Circle
In 1987 Alan and his wife and performing partner Michele became the first close-up magicians from New Zealand to appear at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, returning in 2002. They performed in both the Close-Up Gallery and the Parlour of Prestidigitation. In 1995 The Magic Circle in London awarded Alan its highest degree M.I.M.C*, Member of The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star.
Giving back to magic
Alan was the founder and editor of Magic New Zealand, a free e-zine recognised by the Academy of Magical Arts, the Society of American Magicians, and numerous other international magical organisations around the world.
After 25 years of a weekly service to the magical community, Alan made the difficult decision to close the e-zine on 8 November 2024, marking the end of an era in magic journalism as social media transformed the way news is shared.
Thankfully, the legacy of Magic New Zealand lives on. Conjuring Arts in New York has preserved all past issues, totalling more than 16,000 pages of magical history, at its research website, Ask Alexander.
In the press
“Alan is a once-in-a-generation magician, capable of producing breathtaking wonderment. He's unassuming but simply brilliant.”
“Whether performing for a family audience, a group of hard-nosed corporate executives at a trade show, close-up for restaurant guests, or showing how magic can be fun at a children's birthday party, Alan delivers an entertaining, professional and captivating show every time.”
Affiliations
Professional memberships
- Member of The Magic Circle, London - M.I.M.C. with Gold Star
- Global Magician Member of The Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle)
- International Brotherhood of Magicians - Life Member; IBM Ring 160 Patron
- Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.) - Life Member
- David Berglas Foundation for Promoting the Art of Magic
- IBM The Global Electronic Ring 2100 - Board of Directors
- Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians (BAM) - Life Member
- The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand - Life Member
LET'S MAKE YOUR EVENT MAGICAL
Whether you're planning a family event or a corporate function, let's talk about how Alan can make it something your guests will remember.
alan@watson.co.nz