A Legacy of Magic in New Westminster: A Journey Into The Impossible At The Hidden Wonders Speakeasy
Written by Jessica Jiang
Wonder awaits at The Hidden Wonders Speakeasy, where illusion and mystery come to life in the heart of Downtown New Westminster. The seventy-five-minute magic experience, hosted by two-time magic world champion Shawn Farquhar, offers an unparalleled close-up experience of magic. I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Shawn to discuss his journey to success, the rich history of magic in New Westminster, and his passion for performing at The Hidden Wonders. Here’s a glimpse into our conversation.
Upon arrival the “shop clerk” greeted us and asked if we had an appointment.
A Legacy of Magic
The performance stage is intimate allowing you a close up view
You could say that magic runs through Shawn’s veins – a legacy passed down from his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who were all celebrated magicians. For the first 40 years of his life, Shawn spent 258 days a year traveling the world, performing in more than 40 countries a year, and experiencing magic from every corner of the globe. Yet, it’s in a small, intimate space in New Westminster that he’s found the perfect place to bring his passion for magic to life. “I spent years on the road, performing in large theaters, even working on cruise ships,” he says. “One day, I was in Europe and I saw these small boutique theatres, and I thought that was a sustainable practice.”
It was that realization that set him on a new path, one that would ultimately lead him back to his roots in New Westminster. “In June, we found a little place in New Westminster. I had lived in New West back in the 80s, and loved the community,” Shawn says.
The Secret Superhero of Magic in New Westminster
New Westminster holds a special place in the history of magic. It was here that Mandrake the Magician, the first comic superhero, performed and called home. He did his first show in the Edison Theatre in New West, which is now the Paramount.
“Mandrake the magician was the very first comic superhero, before Superman, Batman, before any of them. He would hypnotize the criminals into thinking they were already in prison. And he was a real person — buried in New Westminster!”
Shawn takes me through his collection of Mandrake memorabilia—old photographs, Mandrake’s iconic hat, and even his license plate for his Rolls Royce, which was integral to his shows. “I’ve got his old hat, old photographs, and his old license plate all at Hidden Wonders,” he says. “Mandrake toured the world and called New Westminster home. His story is iconic. It’s part of the critical history of magic in North America,” Shawn explains.
Magic That’s Never the Same Twice
This gentleman offered his glasses
When Shawn opened Hidden Wonders, it was with a commitment to doing something different from the traditional magic show. “For decades, I did a setlist—producers would hire me, pay me grand amounts of money, and I would go out and do a beautifully polished show with lights, dancers, production, big illusions, all of that. It was good, but my artistic soul was dying because I was doing the same thing repeatedly,” he admits. “The producers didn’t like changes; they wanted perfection. But I wanted to make mistakes, I wanted to grow.”
And so, he made a promise to himself. “My deal with myself was that I would never do the same show twice. The only way to do that is by having the audience choose the show by making it a choose-your-own-adventure,” he says.
Our experience was made up completely by the audience
At Hidden Wonders, no show is ever the same. The audience has a hand in shaping the experience, choosing from mystery boxes or offering up items from their pockets for Shawn to turn into something magical. “I do something at the beginning of the show that makes them realize that what they’re about to see is exceptional,” he explains. “Then I open it up to the audience. They can choose from the mystery box, or give me things from their pocket or purse, and I’ll do a magic trick with it.”
The Magic of the Impossible
Shawn’s magic is a close up as you can get
Shawn's approach often leaves guests with a sense of childlike wonder. He recalls reading messages in his guestbook:
“One of my team members suggested getting one of those guestbooks that people write in after the show. After three months, I finally had the courage to read what people wrote. Now, I read it daily. People say, ‘Thank you for reminding me how to think like a child.’”
“Another trick I do is I’ll ask couples to hum their special song in their heads—the one playing when they met or had their first kiss to. Then I tell them what the song is. They’re like, ‘That’s not possible!’ But I’m like, ‘Sure it is. My job is to do the impossible.’”
A New Capital of Magic
Beyond Hidden Wonders, Shawn is dedicated to bringing magic to the broader community. “I want to make magic more accessible, so I created the Magic Arts Gathering in Canada,” he shares. Held for the first time last year in Downtown New Westminster, the Magic Arts Gathering brought together performers and audiences for a week of sold-out events. “We did 10 events in 7 days, all sold out in Downtown New Westminster,” Shawn says proudly.
Looking ahead, he’s excited to expand the event and continue growing its impact. “We do it during the March spring break, because we think families need something to do, so the spring break is a good time to run it,” he explains.
With plans already underway for the next Magic Arts Gathering, Shawn works towards his long-term vision: to make the city a new epicenter of magic.
“Magicians have capitals—Berlin or Barcelona in Europe, Las Vegas or Chicago in the U.S. In Canada, it’s been Calgary or Toronto. I’d love for it to be BC, specifically New Westminster. I love the area, the people, the sense of community, and the merchants,” he says.
Shawn Farquhar has created something truly special for the magic community in New Westminster. It’s not just a performance—it’s a journey into wonder, creativity, and connection—a place where the impossible feels within reach. Whether it’s through a choose-your-own-adventure show or a citywide magic festival, Shawn’s passion reminds us all of the joy and wonder we felt as children—and the power of believing in the impossible.
Here are the links if you would like to enjoy some of New Westminsters Magic:
