It was that magician who gave him a book telling of 4,500-year history of performing magicians. Elovalis was hooked and Mario was born.

His first show was a children's party and from there he went to the red dust mining town of Port Hedland where he performed in a shopping center for the local Aboriginal community.

At first an unlikely magician, Mario had to overcome a fear of performing as well as learn a range of simple magic tricks.

Shortly after he would take his first steps toward fulfilling his dream he wrote down in that workshop, setting off overseas with a backpack, his bag of tricks and A$60 (US$51).

The money ran out but not before he reached Bangkok where he ended up with just pennies in his pocket and entertained the locals for a meal and a place to stay.

It was during this year stint in Bangkok that he honed his skills, practicing new tricks for up to six hours a day.

From "mind reading" to changing a 100-yuan (US$14.60) note into a 1-yuan note to an "infinite" number of card tricks, Mario the Almost Magnificent always has a new trick to surprise and awe.

Understandably, his friends in Shanghai don't let him play poker. But while recreational card games may not be in the offing, he transforms into his almost-magnificent self for weddings, corporate events, at restaurants and even for a beauty contest.

One of his first performances was at a Miss Shanghai contest and his most recent gig was at last weekend's Australian Chamber of Commerce Ball.

He is also slated to be one of the acts at the soon-to-be-opened burlesque club China Town.

Having seen life's darkness, this Aussie magician says bringing joy and laughter into the world is where the real magic in his act can be found.

"I love to make people laugh but I also like to reignite a sense of wonder," he says. "Especially these days when cynicism is the fashion and people believe they have seen it all before." Anyone interested in booking Mario can contact him at mamahoohoo2@gmail.com or at 1368-1600-873.Vasilios Elovalis

Nationality: Australian/Greek

Age: 21 (with 30 years' experience)

Profession: Magician, actor, marketing/promotions consultant

Q&A

Self-description:Blessed, joyful and surfing the endless moment.

Favorite place: YY's (Yin Yang Club).

Strangest sight: Locals jogging backward.

Worst experience:The closing of Mazzo.

Motto for life:Follow your dreams, except for the one where you're naked in church.

How to improve Shanghai:

Zeppelins.

Advice to newcomers:Invite me to your poker nights. Please.

(Shanghai Daily September 16, 2009)