Piff the Magic Dragon is a comedic magician and entertainer who gained popularity after appearing on the reality competition show America's Got Talent. His audition for the show was particularly memorable and showcased his unique style of comedy and magic. During his audition, Piff entered the stage dressed in a full dragon costume, complete with a green suit and a dragon headpiece. This instantly captured the attention of both the judges and the audience, creating an air of curiosity and excitement. Piff introduced himself in character, speaking with a British accent and an entertainingly dry sense of humor. He delivered a hilariously deadpan performance, which perfectly complemented his magic tricks.
Piff the Magic Dragon brings Vegas show to Canada
When John van der Put takes the stage at the Flamingo in Las Vegas, he always wants to prove two things: that he’s magic but also a dragon.
Whether it’s talent or magic itself, Piff the Magic Dragon can do both, all while putting on a spellbinding show for the ages.
While Piff the Magic Dragon recently had his Vegas residency extended for three more years, he still likes to take the show on the road.
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So last week, Piff kicked off a Canadian tour on the country’s East Coast. No stranger to performing across Canada, Friday marked Piff’s first time in Halifax, N.S.
He pulled a signed card from a sealed can of dog food. He also made a $20 bill appear inside a playing card.
The final act, Dragons & Dummies, culminated in an impressive number matrix trick. A play on Penn and Teller’s gumball trick, Piff managed to create a matrix of 38 combinations that all added up to an audience member’s IQ.
It wasn’t the magic that impressed me the most. Rather, Piff’s comedic skills and top-tier improv ability kept the audience of 500 people captivated throughout the two-hour performance that included a dramatic reading of Michael Jackson’s "Beat It" by his chihuahua, Mr. Piffles.
‘It never feels like work’
John began performing magic as a hobby at 16. But his acts of illusion, along with juggling and guitar-playing, were forced to take a back seat when he went to university to study computer science and design.
It didn’t take John long to realize his heart wasn’t with his studies. That’s when he decided to pursue a magic career full-time.
Over the next decade, John struggled to keep a job. It wasn’t because of his work ethic — John was too grumpy. Audiences couldn’t seem to get past his sarcastic, dry British sense of humor.
That’s when the idea for Piff the Magic Dragon was born.
"One day, I went to a costume party in a dragon outfit, and no one else turned up in costume," John said. "It was just me."
All it took was a good rib from a close friend, and John realized he had discovered how he would set himself apart from other magicians. He’s not just magic; he’s also a dragon.
Next thing he knew, the places John was fired from were calling him to come back.
But it wasn’t until an appearance on Penn and Teller: Fool Us that Piff the Magic Dragon began making a name for himself.
"Looking back, it all made sense," he said.
After spending six months performing in Las Vegas, John found himself in love with the city of second chances. No stranger to betting on himself, he knew that name recognition would be key to securing a residency.
Soon after, he would audition for America’s Got Talent, and the rest would be history.
John remembers fondly his first appearance on the long-running reality television program. After all, he was auditioning in front of one of his idols — Howard Stern.
"He’s rolling his eyes at me when I first came out. Everyone thought I was going to be terrible," he said.
But Piff didn’t receive any red X's from the judges. In fact, he got a standing ovation from Stern.
He may not have gone on to win America’s Got Talent , but the name recognition Piff sought from the show would catapult his career to new heights.
For John, the only thing more interesting than performing magic is the uncertainty of how audience members will react.
"Every time you get somebody on stage, that’s like inviting somebody up on stage with a grenade in their hand, and any minute they’re going to pull out the pin," he said.
It's the audience engagement that keeps Piff’s shows fresh, he added, noting that two shows are never the same.
"Every show is unique," he said, "so it keeps me really engaged."
Tickets for Piff the Magic Dragon’s 2023 tour are available online .
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Piff the Magic Dragon Las Vegas Show, Tickets & AGT History
A fire-breathing dragon? A chihuahua dressed as a mini dragon that wears a straight jacket, shoots from a cannon, and levitates? This is just the beginning of the magical antics you can expect when purchasing tickets to Piff the Magic Dragon at the Flamingo in Las Vegas.
Before you choose the date to see this favorite Las Vegas show, find out a little more about Piff, his assistants, and how he became a beloved grumpy, magical dragon.
He delivered a hilariously deadpan performance, which perfectly complemented his magic tricks. Piff's comedic timing and witty remarks had both the judges and the audience laughing throughout the audition. One of the highlights of Piff's audition was his card trick, where he asked judge Howie Mandel to select a card from a deck.
Piff the Magic Dragon Las Vegas Show
Piff, the Magic Dragon, is a favorite of the audience at the Flamingo Las Vegas. He has been performing weekly on stage at the iconic Vegas hotel for years. While the show’s name might imply that this is a solo show, this magician would be lonely on stage without his sidekicks Jade Simone and the chihuahua everyone loves, Mr. Piffles.
As Piff the Magic Dragon comes to the stage, he seems a little grumpy, if not a tad cantankerous. After all, he’s a fire-breathing dragon, so you can’t expect him to be too cuddly. It’s all part of his act, though, and part of what makes him one of the world’s most loved funny dragons.
With each show, the audience will find themselves amazed at the magical antics of Piff and Mr. Piffles, with a routine that is ever-changing and that has been perfected over to generate laughs and a genuine wow factor from audiences for years.
Still, this show isn’t just about magic tricks. It’s also infused with funny wit and humor that’s unlike anything else you might see and experience in Las Vegas.
Something else that sets Piff the Magic Dragon apart is that it’s a family-friendly show, but it’s also one that adults will enjoy even if they don’t have any children in tow. The show is appropriate for audiences age 8 and above, but some humor might be best suited for kids who are just a tad bit older.
Magic Tricks
Piff the Magic Dragon performs a variety of tricks and illusions. Perhaps his most famous magic trick is his ability to breathe fire and stun audiences with new versions of classic moves, including card tricks. Still, his tricks just wouldn’t be the same without his friends on stage with him, including Mr. Piffles.
Mr. Piffles has been through quite a lot for a little chihuahua but doesn’t seem to mind one bit. You can watch him levitate, shoot out of a cannon, and even become laminated of all things. Even if you’ve already seen this show, the performance changes, so you don’t want to miss the chance to see it again.
Piff then proceeded to pull out a small dog, who was wearing a matching headpiece. The appearance of the dog surprised everyone and added an additional layer of humor to the act. Another memorable moment from Piff's audition was his interaction with judge Simon Cowell. Piff playfully poked fun at Simon's reputation for being harsh and unimpressed by many acts. He even offered Simon a chance to select a card and become the hero of the trick, increasing the comedic tension in the room. Overall, Piff the Magic Dragon's audition was a unique and entertaining performance that left a lasting impression on both the judges and the audience. His combination of comedy and magic, along with his charismatic stage presence, set him apart from other contestants on the show. Piff's audition not only showcased his skills as a magician but also highlighted his ability to engage and entertain a wide audience..
Reviews for "Piff the Magic Dragon's Audition: A Game-Changing Performance"
1. Sarah - 1/5 - I didn't enjoy Piff the Magic Dragon's audition at all. I found his act to be boring and not entertaining. The tricks he performed were not impressive, and his comedic timing was off. I also didn't understand the appeal of him being dressed as a dragon; it just seemed gimmicky and unnecessary. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend his audition to others.
2. Mark - 2/5 - Piff the Magic Dragon's audition fell flat for me. While I appreciate the effort he put into combining comedy and magic, it just didn't work for me. His comedic style was off-putting, and I found his jokes to be more cringe-worthy than funny. The magic tricks he performed were also unimpressive and lacked that wow factor. I was hoping to be entertained, but unfortunately, I found myself bored throughout his entire audition.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I didn't connect with Piff the Magic Dragon's audition. I found his act to be confusing and disjointed. The jokes didn't land, and his comedic delivery felt forced and awkward. Additionally, the magic tricks he performed were predictable and lackluster. Overall, the entire audition felt underwhelming, and I couldn't wait for it to be over. I personally didn't find anything appealing about his performance, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. David - 1/5 - Piff the Magic Dragon's audition was a complete disappointment for me. I expected a unique and captivating magic act, but what I got was a lackluster performance. The jokes were stale, and the tricks were basic and uninspiring. The dragon costume only served as a distraction, and it didn't add any value to the act. I found myself disinterested and unimpressed throughout the entire audition, and I would not watch him perform again. Save your time and skip this one.
5. Jessica - 2/5 - Piff the Magic Dragon's audition didn't do it for me. I was expecting a magical and awe-inspiring show, but what I got instead was a mediocre performance. The jokes he incorporated into his act were cheesy and didn't elicit many laughs. The magic tricks were average at best and didn't leave me amazed or wondering how he did it. Overall, I found the audition to be forgettable and not worth the hype. I wouldn't recommend Piff's audition to those seeking quality magic acts.