James Long and Maddy have toured their show Expect the Impossible in over 80 countries and are now bringing it to their hometown of Hull
James Long and Maddy performing their show, James Long and Maddy: Expect the Impossible(Image: Submitted)
From local school stages and youth groups to performing in more than 80 countries, illusionists James Long and Maddy Stamp are bringing their biggest-ever public show to their hometown. After building successful careers together, James Long and fellow Hull performer Maddy Stamp are bringing their illusion show to Social on Humber Street for their first ever public performances in their hometown.
When James was 11, he told his teacher mum he didn’t need to worry about school because he was going to become a magician on a cruise ship, something which seemed like a bold ambition. But his dream has become a reality. For years, whenever they returned to Hull, one question kept coming up: “When are you going to do a show in Hull?” This August, the wait is over.
Performing under the stage name James Long and Maddy, they have spent almost a decade on cruise lines, in theatres and at corporate events across the world. From gravity-defying levitations and stage illusions to impossible close-up magic just feet from the audience, the show has earned a reputation for leaving even the biggest sceptics wondering how on earth it was done.
“It’s really special to finally be bringing our full show home,” James said. “We’ve performed in Hull before for private events, but we’ve never had the chance to invite everyone along. People have been asking us for years when we’d do a proper hometown show and we can’t wait to finally make it happen.”
James grew up in East Hull and attended Southcoates Primary School, then later William Gee School. At the age of 10 he joined the Humberside Young Magicians Club, where he met Jon Marshall, Rex Stott and Arthur Setterington. Working with Marshall’s Magic Carpet Theatre gave him invaluable experience not only performing magic but also learning lighting, sound and show management, skills he still relies on today.
Marshall, founder of Magic Carpet Theatre, said: “I’m immensely proud to have James and Maddy as friends. Everything James has achieved has come through unwavering commitment to becoming one of the country’s leading illusionists. I remember him, barely out of school, buying a van to transport his props before he’d even passed his driving test, then driving all the way to Sweden to join the ship he was performing on. That tells you everything you need to know about his determination. If you get the chance, go and see it. You’re in for a great show.”
James says he doesn’t think the show would be where it is now without Jon’s “support and early guidance”. “Advice he gave me when I was putting together a 10-minute act as a kid is still part of the process whenever we create a new illusion today,” he said.
Maddy attended Croxby Primary School, then Cottingham High School and Wyke College, where she says she gained the confidence and audition skills that launched her professional career. “Without the help and knowledge from Wyke, I’m not sure I would’ve been as prepared, or even had the confidence, for all the auditions that followed,” Maddy said.
The pair first met while working in Malaysia and have since established themselves as one of the UK’s leading illusion acts. Between them, they have appeared in more than 80 countries, entertaining audiences aboard cruise lines including MSC, P&O, Princess, Celebrity and Holland America.
James, who won the UK Junior Magician of the Year title aged just 15, still smiles when he remembers announcing his career plans at the age of 11. “It was always my plan,” he said. “When I was 11 I told my parents, ‘I don’t need to bother with school because I’m going to be a magician on a cruise ship.’ My mum was a teacher, so I don’t think that went down too well. But it all worked out, and they’ve enjoyed some nice free cruises since.”
Ironically, taking the show around the world proved easier than bringing it home. The production tours with around four tonnes of specialist equipment, which normally remains aboard cruise ships between contracts. After completing a long-term cruise contract earlier this year, however, everything finally returned to Hull.
“The timing just worked,” James said. “Usually, the equipment stays on the ship, but this time everything came home. The team at Social offered us the venue and we thought, ‘Why not?’ Moving four tonnes of equipment around the world isn’t easy, so it was too good an opportunity to miss.”
For Maddy, coming home means far more than another date on the tour. “It’s very exciting,” she said. “One of the questions I get asked most is, ‘When are you going to do a show in Hull?’ Now we are, it’s a really special opportunity to perform for the people of Hull. Travelling the world with the show has been incredible, but coming back to Hull is going to be on another level because so many family and friends will be there. I think the atmosphere is going to be unforgettable.”
The show promises spectacular illusions on a scale rarely seen in Hull, alongside intimate moments where the impossible unfolds just feet from the audience, with volunteers becoming part of the magic throughout the performance.
“People are going to see some amazing illusions, things they might only ever expect to see on television,” James said. “The difference is they’ll be happening live, right in front of them. We’ll even be looking for volunteers during the show, so don’t be shy.”
Both performers hope their journey inspires other young people growing up in Hull. “I had teachers who told me you couldn’t make a living from magic,” James said. “Luckily, I didn’t listen. Get out there, perform as much as you can and don’t let anyone tell you it isn’t possible.”
Maddy said: “If you’re passionate about performing, give it everything. Learn, practise and listen to the people who encourage you. Anybody who makes you doubt yourself isn’t worth listening to.”
James Long and Maddy: Expect the Impossible comes to Social, 63 Humber Street, on Friday 21 August and Sunday 23 August, with afternoon matinees and evening performances. Tickets, priced from £10, are available from See Tickets by searching “Expect the Impossible”.
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