#INTERVIEW: The Grand Architect of Illusion: Unveiling the Magic Behind the Velvet Curtains
From spellbinding Broadway performances to making global superstars vanish in the blink of an eye, Rob Lake has redefined the art of illusion. At just 25, he became the youngest magician in history to receive the prestigious Merlin Award—magic’s highest honour, equivalent to an Oscar. Over the years, he has not only mastered illusion but also revolutionized it, serving as an illusion designer and creative consultant for Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway, Harry Potter philharmonic global tours, and Adele’s Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace.
With a creative spirit fuelled by Hollywood’s greatest visionaries and an unwavering passion for enchantment, this modern-day wizard’s journey has taken him from the grand stages of America’s Got Talent to exclusive performances at The Atlantis and beyond.
In this exclusive Q&A, we step behind the curtain to discover the inspirations, secrets, and untold stories of a master illusionist—where reality bends, wonder reigns, and magic is more than just an illusion.
Delna Mistry Anand: Tell us about where it all began—when did you start connecting with magic and illusion?
Rob Lake: Growing up, my heroes were—and still are—Walt Disney, Jim Henson, Steven Spielberg, and Ron Howard - all legendary wizards in the world of entertainment. I studied them all the time, for school projects, for my own enjoyment and enrichment, I wanted to understand how they did what they did. When I was only 10 years I saw a magic show live, and I knew immediately that I would be an illusionist. That very moment I felt as though I had this divine directive on my life path.
Who has been your greatest inspiration and why?
Interestingly, my inspirations weren’t other magicians. I’ve always been drawn to people who are masters of their craft—Walt Disney, Jim Henson, Spielberg, Ron Howard—and even modern artists like Adele and Lady Gaga. Their ability to create, captivate, and push artistic boundaries has always inspired me.
You’ve had an extraordinary journey so far. Is there a particular performance or event that stands out for you?
A few stand out. Performing in the America’s Got Talent live finals was surreal—knowing nearly 20 million people were watching live, and millions more would see it online afterward.
Another dream come true was performing in Dubai and then headlining at The Atlantis Resort in The Bahamas for over five years. But honestly, the biggest accomplishment is simply getting to live my dreams and follow my passion every day.
You’ve worked on Broadway and even with Harry Potter-themed performances. What is your creative process when planning an act?
My creativity never stops. I’m always working on new ideas. I have a full-time team at my warehouse constantly building prototypes based on my concepts.
When creating magic for Broadway, Disney, concerts, or other major productions, I approach it differently. It’s not just about how I want an illusion to be—it’s about how it fits the character, the story, and the limitations of the set and design. I love the challenge!
What was the experience like making Adele disappear on stage—was she more excited or nervous about being part of the illusion?
We were all excited about the illusion—it’s one of my favourites. But what truly stood out to me during this experience was seeing what makes Adele so special: and that is her authenticity. The illusion felt completely organic, like a natural way to end her show.
What’s the most mystical place you’ve ever performed in, where the energy felt truly magical?
I’ve performed in places where audiences had never experienced a magic show before—certain parts of the Middle East and Asia.
Performing for military troops and their families in remote locations has also been incredibly special. The energy in those settings is electric because people are ready to surrender to the wonder of it all.
If you could meet one historical magician or illusionist, who would it be, and what would you ask them?
Only one? That’s tough—I love magic history!
I think my top three would be Servais Le Roy, Carter The Great, and Thurston. I’ve studied their posters, photos, blueprints, and writings, but I would love to dive deeper and understand how they came up with their illusions—and why.
If you could step into any mythical or magical world from books or movies, which one would you choose and why?
So many rush to mind—Oz, Hogwarts, Narnia, Fillory…
But if I had to choose, I’d want to be at the very start of WED/Walt Disney Imagineering, when Walt Disney was leading his team to create Disneyland.
They weren’t just building a theme park—they were building magic.
And, of course, I’d love to live in a world where The Muppets are real.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about magicians?
This has changed over the years.
When I was growing up, magic was all over TV, and magicians had long, flowing hair and dramatic presentations. Now, most people think of magic as quick, close-up tricks on social media.
It just goes to show that magic is as diverse—if not more diverse—than almost any other art form.
Do you ever use magic in your everyday life—perhaps to break the ice in conversations or surprise people in unexpected ways?
When I was younger, I went to school every day with my pockets filled with tricks, ready to perform at any moment.
Now, I usually have something fun in my bag just in case—but it takes a lot more to talk me into performing offstage. I think I just enjoy the rare moments when I’m not in the spotlight and can truly relax.
Is there anything about magic or illusion that you wish people could see?
The sheer hours—really, years—of work that go into each illusion. People see the effortless execution but have no idea how intricate the mechanics are behind the scenes.
That said, I would never reveal a secret! But I do think audiences would have a greater appreciation if they knew the depth of craftsmanship involved.
More than anything, I believe the world needs enchantment now more than ever. Magic reminds us—even if just for a moment—that anything is possible.
This month, get ready to witness Rob Lake, one of the world’s most celebrated illusionists, make his grand return to Dubai World Trade Centre with DXB Live, in strategic partnership with The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), delivering a series of five mind-blowing performances.
Event Details:
· Date: 21-23 March 2025 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
· Location: Sheikh Rashid Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre
· Time:
Friday: 1 Show - Show Timing: 8:30 PM
Saturday: 2 Shows - Show Timings: 3 PM and 8:30 PM
Sunday: 2 Shows - Show Timings: 3 PM and 8:30 PM
· Ticket Price: Tickets start from AED 195, with a 20% discount on groups of 4
· Ticket Link- https://bitly.cx/dLnZ
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