Magic has long been a man’s domain, with women cavorting scantily-clad in the background if not being sawn in half. The biggest names have always been – and continue to be – of the XY variety: Houdini, Copperfield, Blaine, Angel, Siegfried and Roy. Even Charlotte Pendragon, the world’s most revered female magician, has to share the spotlight with her hubby. But there’s a former J-Pop star who’s battling this masculine domination. Her name is Princess Tenko, a grand illusionist who has found worldwide fame in taking the feminine magic clichés and running with them.

Princess Tenko was introduced to magic at the age of 11 via one of Tenko Hikito’s dramatic escapes. Later an apprentice to him, she was chosen over two male rivals to take on his mantle when he passed, impressing her teacher with original creations like the “Triple Mirror,” which sees her passing through to the other side like a real life Alice.

She describes her own style as “Cosmos-focused Eastern, Asian Japanese-esque Illusion,” which approximately translates into fabulous costumes and extravagant stunts, like her signature “machine-gun illusions”, where she shoots out tricks one after another. There are variations in the show as it travels around the world, from costume preferences between east and west coast America, to lighting across Europe, but the magic itself defies cultural barriers. “Surprise is the same all over the world. I think it is one of the most captivating things,” she says.

As for the future, Princess Tenko seems to be getting nostalgic for her pop star days. “I think a fusion of pop and illusion would be very interesting and artistic.”

Alethea Dean

Sands Theatre, Sands Hotel September 17–20