This “mind-numbing, jaw-dropping, eye-opening” experience takes audiences on a guided tour of the impossible and the absurd. Using only the most ordinary of objects, accomplished actor, conjuror, puppeteer, storyteller, and award-winning performer Pinard brings the ordinary to life with the most surprising results. The only show of its kind in the New England, audiences have traveled from throughout New England and beyond to experience sleight of hand, con games, psychology, history, science, comedy, political spin, and more through the eyes of a “perceptual engineer” on his quest to explore distortion and guile. Audiences can expect a truly unique experience and insight into how remarkable human perception and interpretation can be!

Andrew Pinard's Discovering Magic has been a Players' Ring tradition since 2014. Andrew will act as the tour guide to the impossible and absurd, inviting audiences to explore the mystical and magical world of perception and deception. Members actively participate in the performance (socially distanced, of course), making every show a unique, interactive experience. Leave the mundane world behind and enter a magical realm where nothing is what it seems. See why NH Magazine has recognized his work three times in the "Very Best of New Hampshire" issue. Every performance is unique, and this year it will be even more so.

“Magic occurs when audiences are engaged emotionally and intellectually in a gentle tug of war between what is possible and what may be possible.” Pinard continued: “I think of the experience as transcending reality. The main tools in my bag of tricks are imagination and expectation, both of which are provided by the audience! Add a dash of psychology, a splash of technology, a bit of choreography, a gallon of showmanship and an enthusiastic, engaged audience and you have a unique experience that will be remembered forever.” When asked about the show he replied, “I look at each performance as an episode in a series. This year, expect some new surprises and some old favorites as we explore the world on our quest to discover magic.”

Don’t miss the chance to experience the magic.

The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts has referred to his “impressive ability with sleight-of-hand.” After attending the premiere episode of Discovering Magic, Rick Broussard, Editor of New Hampshire Magazine, wrote: “Your show is remarkable, Andrew. Anyone who hasn’t seen it owes it to themselves to go.” Others have said, "The perfect balance of amazement and humor.” and “Excellent show! Engaging, humorous and constantly surprising! A wonderful evening!”

After experiencing the show in 2018, Jeanné McCartin of Seacoast Online wrote that Andrew Pinard’s “show is more akin to that of a tempered Victorian parlor artist, up close and intimate, but with a decidedly contemporary take, and lots of humor. … Pinard is a showman with an engaging presence. … There’s lots of sleight of hand, seemingly psychic or supernatural bits, and some truly mesmerizing feats. The sleight of hand is coupled with interesting historical tidbits, storytelling, audience participation and laughs. … The magic is there, but the real key to this show is Pinard’s warmth, his skill at insinuating a sense of friendship. He’s just ribbing buddies, showing off a few tricks, pulling everyone together.”