I met Richard Young and Sam Strange shortly after they got out of San Quentin prison .

As we walked along the cold January streets of Madison , Wisconsin , U . S . A ., Richard Young recounted how he , Sam , and the rest of their entourage went on a tour of the San Quentin state prison facility , entertaining inmates as they went .

" Don ' t do it ," Young said with a smile , when I asked what advice he has for young , aspiring illusionists . " We don ' t need any more competition , especially from anyone younger , which could jeopardise our own careers ," he added , sarcastically .

The year is 2020 , and it is the second time that I have caught Young and Strange coming through Wisconsin with the Champions of Magic production . After catching their show back in 2017 , to call their grand illusion finale unforgettable would have been an understatement .

" Just wait ," Young said , explaining that the conclusion of the show had been revamped with both a massive investment and a restructuring of the illusion performances .

10 DECEMBER | 2021