Interview: Ringmaster David Williamson on Circus 1903 Coming to NYC, Magic Tricks, and Keeping Circus Traditions Alive

David Williamson's love of magic began at a young age and has led him to an amazing career! His current role as the Ringmaster and emcee of Circus 1903 - The Golden Age of Circus has taken him all around the globe and now is in the heart of its North American tour, coming to The Theater at Madison Square Garden this April. This thrilling, nostalgic, and electric masterpiece, from the producers of The Illusionists and the puppeteers behind War Horse, features incredible stunts, acrobatics, and life-size puppets - making it perfect for the whole family!

BroadwayWorld had the chance to speak with Williamson before the tour comes to NYC about his involvement with the show; his love of magic; and why circus traditions need to be kept alive.

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What has the journey been like performing CIRCUS 1903 - The Golden Age of Circus all over the world and now coming to New York this April?

I've been performing magic for over 40 years myself. I started as a teenager doing magic, but I've never really been part of a theatrical production. I've always done my own show at festivals, tv shows, Disney Cruise Lines, etc. and then I had the opportunity to work for The Illusionists. I did an Australian tour with them a few years ago and in the West End last year. I had a blast and was on stage with a lot of my friends. That's where the producers first saw me, because it's the same producers as Circus 1903. After seeing me in The Illusionists, they were working on this new show about the circus, and I was offered the job as ringmaster -- I jumped at the chance!

Describe how the circus world of 1903 comes back to life.

We brought in a historian of circus lore and some other writers and put together some interesting transitions and some scripting ideas and I added some thoughts about how to incorporate magic into the show. We all met up in Melbourne in an empty movie studio and all of these amazing circus acts came, with the painters, costumer designers, composer, set designers, and director and we built this show right in Australia over the course of several weeks. The puppeteers came from England with the amazing elephant puppets and we had ourselves a circus!

The elephants seem to be very popular! Tell me more about them.

The elephants are a big draw and capture people's imaginations. The show is you telling the story of the circus in 1903. 1903 was the big year for circus - right smack in the golden age. Elephants were a huge part of that. Simon Painter [Creative Producer] had the innovative idea to use puppets to depict the elephants and it's the same folks who provided the puppeteers and puppets for War Horse. Significant Object is the name of the company in the UK who creates the puppets. Mervyn Millar and Tracy Waller developed those puppets over the course of a year and there were 6 operators who came along with all the parts - imagine shipping an elephant! One is an African elephant that takes 4 people to operate and the second is the baby elephant that takes 2 people to operate.

What are some of your favorite audience reactions?

People have been loving the show - it's fun, it's exciting. There have been some very sweet moments, some magical moments, a lot of laughs and thrills - so it has a little bit of everything. The audiences are so buoyant and jubilant. The original music score written by Evan Jolly is just inspired! It was recorded by the Prague Symphony Orchestra, so it's almost this cinematic musical score that makes the show so magical and theatrical.

Who makes up your cast of incredible circus performers?

We're telling the story of the circus coming to town in 1903, using real circus stars. They are hand-selected from all around the world with about 14 or 15 different countries represented with our cast. They are all incredible artists and athletes - some are multi-generational circus families and come from all over the world - some were in Cirque du Soleil or Ringling Bros. We are kind of reminding people why they love the circus in the first place. Simon's idea was go back to the roots of the curious and that is the showmanship, the real skill, the grandeur - - putting the big spotlight on each talent and let them shine.

With Ringling Bros. coming to an end, what is the importance of continuing these circus traditions?

Circus is such a big part of our culture. When the circus came to town in 1903 -- think of small town America -- it was the biggest thing to hit town all year. It was like the Super Bowl and the Olympics all rolled into one. It was an amazing day - a holiday. People have an attachment and nostalgia for the simpler times, so it's confidential that we're mounting our show as Ringling Bros. is folding their tents. Our show is a love letter to the traditions of the circus and reminds people why the circus is so thrilling.

How does it feel to be coming to NYC and performing at Madison Square Garden?

Being at The Theater at Madison Square Garden will be so exciting! I love seeing parents, kids, and grandparents all enjoying the same show! It's so wonderful to see children in awe and marveling at these live performances. I love this role and the privilege to present all of these wonderful circus acts.

Thinking back to your childhood and where your love of magic began, can you remember the first magic trick that you ever learned?

When I was a kid, I was in fourth grade, and I remember we read a story about Harry Houdini - and at the end of it, there was a little coin trick they taught - how to make the coin vanish- it was called the French Drop. I remember showing my teacher and she said, "That's very good, David - maybe you'll be a magician someday." It must have stuck because ever since then I've been fascinated with magic!

Why does you think we all need a little magic in our lives, even in these technological advanced times?

These principles, whether it's circus arts or magic tricks, still have the capacity [even in this technological age] to charm and to entertain and thill people. I love that it connects us to the past and connects audiences to the past entertainers!

Circus 1903 comes into town from Wednesday, April 5th - Sunday, April 16th at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster by phone (1-866-858-0008) and all Ticketmaster Outlets. Tickets are available in person at MSG, Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre Box Offices.

Photo Credit: Mark Turner