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JULY | 2025

Matthew :
It’s that time again — tea’s hot, recorder’s rolling, and we’re diving into one of our most-requested topics yet.

Matthew :
 We believe the best duos are built on trust. That’s the secret ingredient. Because when something goes wrong — and it will — you need to know you’re not alone. Whether it’s a missed cue, a prop that’s gone walkabout, or that show in Liverpool where we forgot to set the swords for the Origami illusion…

Matthew :
Exactly. There is no lead and support . Not one in charge and one assisting. And I think that intention really helped us grow together.

Natasha:
 Today we’re talking about what it’s like to perform as a couple. And how we make it work — not just on stage, but behind the scenes too.

Natasha:
 A story best saved for another day?

Natasha :
We build this together. Every routine , every script, every idea. We challenge each other, we support each other, and we always aim to raise the bar — for the audience and for each other. I’m proud of how far we’ve come — not just as performers, but as partners in the truest sense.

Matthew :
 Fair. But chaos happens. And the kind of chaos we’ve faced — it’s the kind you survive by looking across the stage, locking eyes, and silently saying: I’ve got you. Being a team means it won’t always be easy and that is fine and expected. You have to do all you can you lift the other person, inspire them, help them if and when needed.

Matthew :
Let’s start with this: there’s no magician and assistant in The Conjurors. We are 50/50. Creatively. Professionally. On stage. Off stage. Of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the magician-and-assistant dynamic — but for us, working as true partners has been the foundation of everything.

Matthew :
 Likewise. That would be our top tip here - work together to do what is best for the performance, not the person performing ! Learn what you can do together to resonate with a crowd, to amaze them and make them care. Then build upon it as a team. It’s about knowing each other’s strengths, being honest about your weaknesses, and trusting that the person beside you has your back.
No matter what, we never walk on stage annoyed at each other. If something needs sorting, we sort it. We always remind ourselves how lucky we are — to do what we love, with the person we love.

Natasha:
 As we’ve mentioned in previous articles, the show is always the main thing. The audience’s experience and reaction is what we both care about, and that forms the heartbeat of everything — from the way we create material to the way we work together.

Natasha:
 There’s a real safety in that. We’ve performed in theaters, in clubs, on cruise ships, in arenas and stadiums — and almost everywhere inbetween. Through it all, the constant has been that we’re doing it together. As equals. As partners.

Matthew :
And the bottom line is respect. We know that every note, every critique, comes from a place of love and shared passion. That doesn’t mean we don’t bicker sometimes — we definitely do — but we’ve learned how to speak plainly, move quickly, and keep the goal in sight. Having a direct shorthand (we have found) is the most efficient way to move forward.

Matthew :
We’ve also been inspired by some brilliant magic duos. Penn & Teller, of course — they’re famously direct in their creative process, but the mutual respect between them is unmistakable. They’ve built a legacy around total trust. They also know who does what best and stick to their strengths. They are masters for so many reasons but their longevity is down to compassion, creativity, and respect.

Natasha:
 The audience can feel that. They pick up on the rhythm between us — not just the tricks, but the connection.

Natasha :
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is how important it is to separate work from relationship. We’re engaged, and we spend most of our time together — so finding moments to switch off is essential. It’s not always easy, but it’s necessary.

Natasha:
 Siegfried and Roy too — their bond, both onstage and off, was something you couldn’t manufacture. They didn’t just perform illusions. They were the illusion — together.

Matthew :
 That said, every walk we take, every car ride, every dinner or holiday eventually circles back to a routine, or a show note, or an idea for something new. It just happens! We do our best to keep some lines between life and work — but there’s definitely a big, creative overlap .

Matthew :
 And in more recent years, acts like Mystie and Kyle Knight have been amazing to watch. They’re so polished, so connected — and you can feel the

Natasha:
 What matters most is learning to release the tension when work gets stressful. To not carry a disagreement or discussion from rehearsal into the rest of your day. We’re not always on the same chapter...

Matthew :
Sometimes not even the same book. But working together means learning how to meet in the middle. It’s about listening, adapting, and giving each other space to be heard and understood.

Natasha:
 It also means a fair few coffee-fuelled rehearsals where we debate ideas, test new material, and figure out what’s right for the show! What feels the strongest on stage.

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Or that cheeky whisper after the show: “Did you mean to do that?”

Knowing the person next to you isn’t just going to hit their mark — they’re going to catch you, if you fall.

shared vision behind every beat of their show.

Matthew :
 Thanks as always for reading. You can find us on Instagram @theconjurors if there’s a topic you’d like us to tackle next.

Natasha :
They both shine, and rightly so. It’s never about who’s leading and who’s following. It’s about creating something that truly belongs to both of you.

Matthew :
So if you’re thinking about working with your partner — or already are — remember this: you’re not just building an act. You’re building a relationship that lives between the tricks.

Natasha:
 Tea’s cold. Matthew :
 Time to vanish.

Matthew :
 That’s the goal. True partnership . It’s easy, especially early on, for one person to take the lead — maybe they’ve got more stage time, or more experience. But balancing that dynamic makes the material deeper. Stronger. More real.

Natasha:
 In the laughter. In the eye-rolls. In the quiet smiles when a moment finally lands.

We've learned who does what behind the scenes. Usually I’ll sketch out the structure — effects, rough script, show flow — then we sit together, rewrite everything, and reimagine it with Natasha’s input. She’s incredible with costume design, refining visuals, and finding the little nuances that elevate a routine. Once we have the blueprint, we build it as a team.

Natasha:
 When we rehearse, we treat it like choreography. We block every movement, test everything under pressure, and make sure it works for both of us.

And when it comes to choosing material , we always ask: Does this moment serve both of us? Can we both contribute to the beat — either through performance, staging, or story? We’ve cut plenty of great tricks over the years because they didn’t work within our hands.

Matthew :
 We also find a moment within each show where we will both perform a solo routine! We have found this a really beneficial thing as it lets us stretch our solo performance muscles but also it lets the audience know we both can deliver material well by ourselves.

Natasha:
 Performing together is a gift. We get to share the nerves, the wins, the backstage rituals, the applause. The strange green rooms. The far-too-early call times. And more cups of tea than we care to count.

Matthew :
 And when the lights hit and we step out — side by side — we’re not just performing for the audience.

Natasha:
 We’re performing for each other. That’s what makes it special.

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