Paul Gleeson (magician)

Paul Gleeson or Rua (born 7 December 1987) is an Irish TV magician, mentalist and escapologist.

Early life

Born in Monkstown, County Dublin, Ireland, Rua developed his interest in magic at the age of 18. He had previously worked as a fire performer, and after a freak accident suffered second- and third-degree burns to his hands, face and chest. While he was in hospital, he was given a book on card tricks by a friend, through which he developed his interest in sleight of hand.[1] Rua holds a BA Honours Degree in Communication Studies, and a master's degree in Film and Television Studies from Dublin City University.[2]

Television career

Rua's television career began in 2012 when he started filming his debut series Draíocht for Irish national broadcaster TG4, with Midas Productions, the company that was originally behind Irish Hypnotist Keith Keith Barry's debut TV series in 2003. This 10-part series was the first Irish-language magic series to be broadcast in Ireland, and the first Irish television series that featured an escapologist. Rua has also been featured heavily in the Irish Media, performing on RTE's The Saturday Night Show[3], and 'Today',[4] as well as TwoTube, Swipe, Elev8 and The Dig in Diner.[5] TV3's Ireland AM the BBCNI's I Lár an Aonaigh and TG4's Cluiche Thart. In 2016, Rua was featured[6] on Ireland's biggest afternoon show, RTE's Today Live. In April 2017, Rua made his debut appearance on the world's second longest running talk show, and Ireland's most watched programme, RTE's The Late Late Show.[2][7][8][9][10][11]

Curator

Rua was the co-curator[12] and researcher for Dublin's Science Gallery 2013 Exhibition, 'ILLUSION',[13] with Richard Wiseman,[14] who was the primary curator with Michael John Gorman. This exhibition explored the neuroscience of magic and illusion.[15][16] This exhibition is now touring globally as Science Gallery's most successful exhibition to date.

Live shows

In 2013 and 2015, Rua had two successful runs of one-man shows in the Dublin Fringe Festival titled Of Rogues And Knaves.[17] and "Secrets For Sale".[18] Both shows explored the techniques of con-artists, pick – pockets, psychics and card cheats. The Irish Theatre Magazine wrote: "Gleeson has established himself as a master in the dying, though still fascinating craft of live deception."[19]

During the summers of 2013, 2014, and 2015 he performed on stage at one of Europe's largest outdoor festivals, the Electric Picnic,[20][21][22] as well as the somewhat smaller "Body and Soul Festival".[23]

References
  1. Maeve Quigley. "Horror accident reason why Paul IS THE REAL DEAL.. TG4 magician reveals how his brush with fire during a trick that went wrong became spark that ignited his career". Free Online Library. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  2. "Magic series featuring DCU student". Dcu.ie. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8DoCpBTG1w
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcurDFPneps
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR6qWXKiB94
  6. Paul Gleeson (18 March 2016), Amazing Irish Magician Rua - RTE's TODAY show, retrieved 23 May 2017
  7. "Escapologist and magician RUA to challenge celebrities". Meath Chronicle. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  8. Andrea Smith (9 January 2014). "Gleeson's great escape". Independent.ie. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  9. "'Draíocht' – Magic Series Starts TG4 Sunday 12th Jan". The Irish Film & Television Network. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  10. Byrne, Brendan (21 October 2012). "Irish Magic News – Paul Gleeson's Draíocht Rua airs on TG4 Spring 2013". Irishmagicnews.squarespace.com. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  11. "Rua on The Late Late Show". Vimeo. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  12. "Global Relations Office: Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Ireland". Tcd.ie. 13 August 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  13. "Illusion | Science Gallery". Dublin.sciencegallery.com. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  14. "Richard Wiseman on Illusion [Starts at 6pm] | Science Gallery". Dublin.sciencegallery.com. 16 April 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  15. Carmel Doyle (10 July 2013). "Magic, psychology and art: get lucky at new Science Gallery show ILLUSION (video) – Irish Innovation News –". Siliconrepublic.com. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  16. "Illusion at the Science Gallery". Discover Research Dublin. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  17. https://web.archive.org/web/20130817082838/http://www.fringefest.com/programme/of-rogues-and-knaves. Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. Mahoney, Donald (21 September 2013). "Reviews | Current | Dublin Fringe Festival: Of Rogues and Knaves". Irish Theatre Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  20. John Kennedy (30 August 2013). "Science Gallery to literally blow your 'Mindfield' at Electric Picnic – Irish Innovation News –". Siliconrepublic.com. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  21. "Mind Field : Electric Picnic 2013" (PDF). Leviathan.ie. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  22. "Mindfield returns to Electric Picnic". Meath Chronicle. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  23. "The Art of Magic". Bodyandsoul.ie. 23 June 2013. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
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