Jasper Blakeley is an international award-winning magician who left London in 2000, moved to the Welsh seaside town of Barry and pursued his childhood dream of performing magic. Jasper now owns and performs in what he claims is the UK's smallest theatre and the world's smallest magic theatre, The Small Space.
As a trained journalist, Jasper worked for different media companies in London including radio networks such as Real Radio and The Pepsi Chart Show. However, when it came time to settle down with his wife Fay and raise a family together, they decided to move back to Fay's hometown of Barry in 2000, where he started his career as a magician in 2003. "It was something I always wanted to do as a child," he told WalesOnline.
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After joining the Cardiff Magic Society, Japer performed as over 70 different characters as a children's entertainer, a comic and a magician. As a member of the Magic Circle for over 15 years, he has performed magic effects all over the world including a multi-million dollar illusion show in Las Vegas in 2007 as well as creating effects for other performers around the world.
In February 2018, Jasper along with business partner Bryan Gunton opened The Small Space on Island Road in Barry. The theatre venue is 16ft by 12ft and seats five audience members with a stage that is "smaller than a car parking space," according to Jasper.
Jasper bought the company from Bryan in February 2020 before having to close the venue for 548 days due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During that time the Small Space showed virtual performances but Jasper said this wasn't ideal. "I thrive on having a live audience. It was not the same," he said. The venue hosts two shows a week including cabaret magic, jazz bands, singers and stand-up comics.
The venue also has a small licensed bar where Jasper performs bar magic after his show. He said: "It's like being at a house party in somebodies living room. I've had a bizarre life, I've done bizarre things and my unique venue reflects that."
As well as running The Small Space and performing magic effects, Jasper also writes and performs two brand new 90-minute shows a year. His latest production, 'Barry Island or Bust', was written and directed by his daughter Stella and will premiere at the Canal Café Theatre in London.
‘Barry Island or Bust’ is a journey of one man’s ambition to make it big in a south Wales’ seaside town and open the world's smallest magic theatre. Astonishing magic is woven amongst anecdotes, silliness, fantastic fun and incredible mind-reading. ‘Barry Island or Bust' will premiere on June, 17 in London.
Jasper said has no plans to move out of Barry any time soon, adding: "What's not to love about Barry. It's a great place to bring up kids. I now live near fields, beaches, the seaside and London is just a train ride away."
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