Galea’s lying still

THE critically acclaimed production Lying Cheating Bastard combines James Galea’s three passions – magic, acting and music.
“It’s also an interesting story,” the award-winning performer told the Independent.
Part mystery, part coming of age and part magic show, Lying Cheating Bastard follows the life of Jimmy “the cricket” Galea – Australia’s most convincing conman.
“I was learning from a guy who I thought was a magician but he was a conman and when I started telling people the story they thought it was really interesting,” Galea explained, “so we sat down and wrote the thing loosely based on his life.”
The show features close-up projections of Galea’s card tricks live on stage with some audience participation and a piano solo thrown in for good measure.
“I started out as an actor and magic was kind of my back-up plan – this is a way of combining all my skills,” he said.
“What happens is the conman does all these things to try and cheat people out of their money.
“I get the audience to become part of the show and help out with the tricks.”
One lucky audience member will also have the chance to win $1000.
“Great, huh,” Galea boasted.
Born and bred in Bondi, the 29-year-old said he was “loosely based here in Sydney and Los Angeles”.
“Magic is big here but it’s really big over in the states,” he said.
“I’ve also been doing some work for the Ellen DeGeneres Show, which is really interesting.”
Galea plucked his maiden rabbit out of a hat at 14 and by 18 he had performed at James Packer’s first wedding and was starring in his own show at an isolated hot springs resort north of Tokyo.
Despite more than a decade of creating illusions, Galea said the art of magic still surprised him.
“It’s like asking an architect if he gets excited when he sees a building even though he knows how it’s built,” he explained.
“I still appreciate a good piece of art when I see it. I still get excited – magic is my passion.”
James Galea’s Lying Cheating Bastard finishes its run at Geelong Performing Arts Centre on Saturday night.