Every day Olivier Henning practices his fingerliness. At lightning speed he lets card tricks be in his backyard in Heeze. Olivier is only 16, but is going to compete with the best magicians in the world during the Magic World Championship on July 14 in Turin.
The balloons are still on the facade of the parental home. Olivier has just passed his final exam. But he has known for years what his future will be. On stage, all over the world to juggle. “It’s very cool to know what you want to do. I want to recommend everyone to do something you like, then the work is so much easier.”
Olivier performs around the world every week. Even on Broadway, while he only started magic four years ago. “It is very cool to see all those cultures. I learn a lot about other countries.” Olivier is asked for all those performances. “When I get first at the Dutch Championship, then I am seen by producers of TV shows. They then ask if I want to perform at their gala show. Then you are in a line-up with other artists.”
“People I admired three years ago, I’m going to fight that now.”
Olivier participated in the European Championship last year and became sixth of the 160 participants there. Now he has to compete against the best in the world. “People I admired three years ago, I am going to fight that now. It is not like in a football match, where you immediately beat someone. I also fight against myself. I decide what my act is going to be. I will try to show myself as well as possible. And to be as original as possible.”
Olivier has great examples he will meet at the World Cup. “Then you are in the dressing room with them and you can exchange strategies.” Many great magicians who admires Olivier come from Korea. “I will not tire you with their names, they are a bit complicated,” he laughs. “You won’t know them either, but in it Magic-They are very well known. “
A strict jury will assess Olivier on, among other things showmanshiporiginality, music, choreography, costume, light, etc. Olivier must also complete his act within a certain time, otherwise he will be disqualified immediately.
The 16-year-old has developed his own act for the championship. “That is difficult. I am often inspired in places where I am. I go to the forest to empty my head and then the idea suddenly comes in. I am not going to sit at the table to think of something. It really comes to me and I will work with it later.”
Olivier does not want to tell everything about his act. “But I’m going to combine juggling with another skill that I manage well. And that has never been shown. ”
