IN the realm of existence, while some believe in predestination, others claim they are the masters of their own fate. Whatever it is, one thing is certain — no two individuals would have exactly the same or identical likes or dislikes in life that would shape their future.
In Saudi Arabia it is common to see kids grow up with an interest in soccer, eventually ending as aficionados of the sport or professional players in their own right. Otherwise, they would become doctors or managers of their family businesses.
However, it is a surprise to see somebody — a young boy at that — lock himself up in a room and enjoy musing in the dark instead of being in the soccer field. Yet, for Mamdouh Marzouki it may be strange but true.
The young Saudi, in his early 30s, said that ever since he was a child he has felt different from his peers by preferring to engross himself in magic and performing other illusions to entertain people.
Mamdouh Marzouki, who is now a celebrity and a leading Saudi illusionist, calls himself Monicker Mumdo. The self-confessed eccentric said that his profession, his trademark of being an illusionist, “is not very popular” with the religious groups.
“They hate me for it and I always get accused of practicing black magic,” which he aptly denies. Is he not really into black magic?
Mumdo makes a clear distinction between a black magician and an illusionist. While a magician uses spells “involving some supernatural powers,” an illusionist “creates the impossible” simply through tricks. “Therefore, to accuse me of practicing black magic is unfounded, it is not true,” he intimated, adding, “It is a matter of time when I will be able to win them (religious people) over and allow them to enjoy this form of theatrical art.”
His hope is anchored in solid ground. Last Eid, during the first four days of the break, Mumdo performed his magical skills at the Sawari Landmark to a jam-packed and enthralled audience. His incredible tricks sent the huge crowd into utter disbelief.
The illusionist par excellence, Mumdo is at his best with his well-crafted brand of magic and mystery, which is enough to enchant if not hypnotize the audiences.
Despite his growing popularity, he does not want to be rated with the likes of David Copperfield — the world-renowned American magician and illusionist best known for his combination of spectacular illusions that includes disappearing the Statue of Liberty, flying, levitating over the Grand Canyon and walking through the Great Wall of China.
“I am still in the beginning,” Mumdo said, adding, “I will never feel comfortable saying that I will be like him some day.”
However, he admitted that Copperfield has a great influence on him and that he has “tremendous respect” for him. Regarding him as a “master” in the field (of illusion), Mumdo humbly said that Copperfield “is the reason why I am who I am today.”
Mumdo, despite the stigma attached to his profession by certain quarters, is and can be a role model, too. He believes that education is a continuous process and success could be gauged by how happy and comfortable a person is in his chosen career.
He admitted that most of his knowledge of illusion came from books. “I have a lot of books about magic in my research library,” he said, adding that he further honed the craft from other magicians in the US. “In 2005, I had undergone heavy training with a Las Vegas top magician called Jeff McBride,” he said.
It is therefore not a surprise then if Mumdo embarks on making a national landmark of Egypt the scene of his next attraction.
Early next year, he intends to “vanish” the Great Pyramids of Egypt from its place. In the historic event, Mumdo says that “plenty of logistic preparations need to be done” aside from financial support. Nonetheless, the remarkable feat is not solely his own, he said. “I will not take the credit for this illusion alone; lots of creative minds from all over the globe are involved.”
Prior to following his dream of being an illusionist, Mumdo had a decent income and a promising career as a brand manager in a well-known company. Realizing he was not happy working a “normal” office job, he sought what he had been yearning since he was a boy and that was to perform on stage before a big audience. “For me, the stage is my office,” he quipped.
With his success, he likes to impart to the youth that “following your dreams is not a crazy thing to do (as others might think). Being different is good, look at me, I was an average man with a dream and now I am living it.”
As Mumdo sends the entertained audience in utter bafflement with the clever and skillful sleight of hands and body, one thing is certainly not a deception. 20 years later it may be remembered: “Mumdo, the Saudi Illusionist will be remembered as ‘the man who changed the history of Arab entertainment forever.’”
Mumdo’s skill is simply a genuine kind of trompe l’oeil.
