While most teenagers focus on sports or music, Gabriella Lester was mastering the dangerous art of the escape. The Canadian performer, who first tackled Harry Houdini's famed upside-down straitjacket escape in Las Vegas at just 14 years old, is now bringing her world-class act to Perth.
From Teen Prodigy to International Headliner
Lester's journey into magic began with a simple show at age ten, sparking an obsession. She quickly moved from card tricks to far more daring feats. "My parents were fine when it was card tricks," Lester recalls. "Definitely less OK when it was suspended straitjacket escapes."
Now 22, she is a veteran on the global magic circuit. She credits her career to a deep-seated desire to avoid a conventional life. "I remember feeling like I would be completely allergic to the idea of working a nine-to-five," she says. "Magic was the complete opposite of any regular job, and I fell in love with it."
Now You See Me Live: A Global Ensemble Lands in WA
Lester is a key part of the Now You See Me Live show arriving at Crown Perth next January. The production gathers four elite international magicians for a spectacular live experience based on the hit movie franchise.
Lester will perform alongside Italy's Andrew Basso, the UK's Matthew Pomeroy, and Spain's Pablo Canovas. The show promises a mix of high-tech illusions, solo stunts, and collaborative acts.
"We're all going to show off some of our special personal skills, but we're also going to work together," Lester explains. "There's gonna be a little bit of everything, from stage magic to illusions to close-up tricks."
She is particularly excited to debut new material developed over the past year, which will push her creatively. "I'm just so excited to work with this extraordinary cast and see what it feels like to be an ensemble," she adds.
A Lifelong Student of Magic History
Beyond performance, Lester is a dedicated historian of her craft. She actively studies past masters to inform her modern acts.
"I'm a huge magic history nerd," she admits. "I take my love for the history of magic... and do my best to bring that into the present day, or put my own little spin on it."
Despite her evolving repertoire, the straitjacket escape that launched her career remains her favourite. "It was the first thing in my career that ever made me feel like I should trust my gut," she says. "When that came to life, I was really, really proud of it, and still am."
For Lester, magic's enduring appeal in a cynical world is undeniable. "People love to believe in magic," she reflects. "It's great to have an art form that... lets you feel like you're a kid again."
Now You See Me Live will run at Crown Perth from January 23 to February 1, 2026.
