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Free Taster PDF #5 KENNEDY NorthernSoul

Free Taster PDF #5 KENNEDY NorthernSoul

PDF Taster Issue No.5 ThE MAgAzINE For www.magicseen.co.uk MAgIcIANs & MENTALIsTs

KENNEDY Blond Ambition JAY SANKEY EDINBURGH CONTACT ROUND UP What was HOT, What was ROT JUGGLING MASTERCLASS REVIEWS

JON ALLEN DEFINITELY DYNAMITE! FrEE TAsTEr PDF #5 KENNEDY NorthernSoul

At only 26 years old, mindreader Kennedy has already established himself as one of the UK’s leading mentalists, with many top corporate credits to his name both in the UK and overseas. magicseen’s Graham Hey discovers that there’s an ultra sharp-mind sitting right underneath this ultra-sharp hair-do!

Although born, bred and based in as a mindreader since 2004, after a Newscastle, his accent takes me friend gave him a copy of a Robert by surprise – there’s hardly a trace Nelson book which included a of the North East there at all! Why is complete act. “I’m under this? “Probably because I did a no illusions about how much I have degree in drama at Newcastle to learn – I’ve got sh*t loads! University – and they beat it out of you,” he laughs. “But now, the magic profession has changed. Back in the 80’s, the trick His first ever gigs were fake could be king – just look at seances in University dorms – using Copperfield. Back then, it was all tarot cards and weegie boards. big visual dramas, where everyone “I read Ormond McGill’s was impressed with the effect for Encyclopedia of Hypnosis and what it was. Look at him now, and someone bought me a plinth with a you’ll see that he has introduced a gargoyle on it, and it could open up, lot more of his personality as well. I so I used it to contain a message think magic stagnated, and even from the spirits. People seemed to now some people seem happy to like what I did, and I’d get people nick material. If you did that in the asking me to put on another one of comedy world – you’d be shot my ‘spooky nights’. Then, some of down and killed!!” Kennedy my friends said they were going to stresses how important it is to be form a small theatre company, and original. “Not everyone can create had a meeting - this was basically a new effects, but they can put their p*ss up in a pub! There was a guy own slant on classics. My act has there – I think he was an estate my own imprint on it. There are agent – and he asked me to do an some great guys out there: John event he had planned...” Archer, Graham Jolley, Mel Mellers, all doing great routines in their own Even though you may think he’s individual ways. It’s so easy to just been around for quite a while, go out, buy the props, buy the Kennedy has only been performing routines...but it’s just not me.

2 magicseen Taster No.5 “NoT EvErYoNE cAN crEATE NEw EFFEcTs, buT ThEY cAN PuT ThEIr owN sLANT oN cLAssIcs. MY AcT hAs MY owN IMPrINT oN IT.”

www.magicseen.co.uk 3 “You hAvE To PuT Your owN sPIN for everything. The problem is we more tickets, and ultimately to get have to make sure that what we’ve people to tell the client what a great oN ThINgs, ‘cos MosT ThINgs hAvE been dealt matches what we’re event it was, and how he made the bEEN DoNE bEForE. IF You wANT To chasing. Some friends have said to right decision with the me that I should have a dark, entertainment! If people ask ‘Who sEE IT DoNE brILLIANTLY - sEE PETE mysterious edge to me, dress in all did you have last year?’ - then I FIrMAN For FuLL DETAILs!” black, and all that kind of stuff, but want to make it easy to answer, by it’s just not me. What I’m selling my image. I always wear pointy seems to work.” shoes, have spiky hair...”

“You HAVE to put your own spin on be argued that his age could count In these times of recession (I seem So, we’ve figured out that Kennedy things, ‘cos most things have been against him because a young man to have been saying that for is a one-off, who plans everything he done before. If you want to see it can’t have the same credibility and years!!), I ask the good-humoured does, but who are the people who done brilliantly - see Pete Firman for maturity as ‘older’ mind readers. Kennedy what the biggest hurdle is inspire him to do what he does in the full details! What I’m saying is: Don’t “I know that there are gigs that I as a mentalist. His smart reply is: first place? “Well, for presentation, just watch a Richard Osterlind DVD won’t get because I’m young,” he “That no-one knows they want and for just being great, I’d say John and do it like he does...I mean, who says, “but there are gigs which I one!” He tells me that people want Archer, without a doubt. The most would want that?” probably do get because I’m young! business/motivational speakers, inspiring act, and for creativity, then I If a client wants a no-risk, very singers, etc, but don’t go for Barry & Stuart! For pure Doing a drama degree must have professional, classy mindreader, realise the impact a ‘mindreader’ fearlessness, I say Ian Rowland. covered performing – so was it any then get Marc Paul. But if they want can have. “They know Derren People love him or hate him – I love help with his chosen career? “Only a more ‘risque’, at-the-edge type of Brown because he’s been on the him... he’s a brilliant, brilliant man! to a point,” says the spiky-haired performer with some northern telly so much. But this has created AND, for creativity for effects then it’s man of mystery, “I actually humour – then they should another problem: I’ve had to think .” specialised in voice and vocal book me! I believe of something Derren hasn’t done! I technique – and I don’t mean that there’s a used to do a newspaper As a busy performer, Kennedy can singing! I suppose it helped marketplace prediction, but Derren’s effort was look back and track his own me understand what so amazing that I could never development – and it can be a ‘character’ is.” match the sheer impact. The major painful experience! “I have a DVD of hurdle is that he’s still breathing! I’m myself from two or three years ago At only 26, and even joking of course, but what he HAS and it’s horrendous,” he says, he confesses he done, is that people now know wincing at the thought of it. “The looks younger than what one is, there’s a frame of best advice to improve is to hang his age, it could reference for people.” around with great peers, because they make you raise your game. Kennedy is a stand-up performer, They make you question yourself: but I ask him if he ever does any Was is a good act? Was it a good close-up mentalism gigs? “No,” he product? The last twelve months says, emphatically, “I once did have seen the biggest development a three-week stint in my career so far, because I’ve performing close-up in a now got the confidence to be hotel, and quite frankly, I funny. My closing line is: ‘Please wanted to die!” He stop booing!’” he jokes. “But I now seems to know what he have more confidence to just walk wants, and has a clear on stage and talk to people, just to idea of his whole be friendly – and if the comedy’s performing identity. I not rolling, then they’ve got some ask him about his great mentalism to experience!” striking image. “None of it is by accident,” So, does Kennedy analyse his he says. “The whole performances? “I always have a brand has been dictaphone in my breast pocket worked on. I and listen to it afterwards. thought: ‘What is Sometimes I forget to switch it off – my real job?’ For and it can be gratifying if it picks up the client it may be a company director saying how to sell more beer, great the show was!” ms

4 magicseen Taster No.5 “I oNcE DID A ThrEE-wEEK QUICKIES sTINT PErForMINg cLosE-uP IN A Fav night in: Some sort of a curry, with all eight hoTEL, AND seasons boxed set of TV series ‘24’ quITE FrANKLY, I wANTED To Big night out: DIE!” Theatre of some sort, or definitely something ‘live’. A comedy club maybe – I just love to see talent on stage

Magic effect you wish you’d created: ‘Sneak Thief’ – but if I’d created it, I wouldn’t have told anybody about it!

Music currently listening to: Musicals – especially the soundtrack to ‘Les Mis’. Other stuff – Paulo Nutini, some hard rock, dance...

3 things we didn’t know about you: 1. I once had a picture of a banana on my blog 2. I HATE cheese. I even have pizzas WITHOUT cheese! 3. I take 3 sugars in my tea

Best bits of 2010: Performing at the Mensa annual gathering, and also performing at Alan Shearer’s house for his 40th birthday party

Career high: I was asked to perform as the headline act at a venue in for the Yahoo re-branding launch. That was amazing.

www.magicseen.co.uk 5 JoN ALLEN Around the corner, around the world!

After winning the World IBM close-up magic competition in 1995, a whole world opened up for Jon Allen, and he’s been travelling it ever since! Renowned for his outstanding close- up and stand-up performances, sharp sense of humour and for creating innovative magic effects, he is at the very top of his profession. Graham Hey asks the questions.

Jon’s first job performing magic was in 1988 at a restaurant in Mill Hill, North London, and after meeting someone who was into magic – Marvin Berglas - he was offered a job working in Hamleys and Harrods as a demonstrator. During this time he was still working restaurants, moving on to Old Orleans and TGI Fridays in Covent Garden, which he worked for approximately eight years. “cLosE-uP MAgIc sTILL gETs A rAw DEAL FroM ThE Says Jon, “During that time I joined gENErAL PubLIc, AND I ThINK ThIs Is DuE To ThE The Magic Circle where I met people who were able to introduce AMouNT oF bAD MAgIc AND bAD MAgIcIANs ThAT ArE me to a whole new avenue of work. ouT ThErE.” It was also great to spend time with some of the true greats of British and world magic like David Berglas, has now developed into a stylish ‘The last magician I saw…’ it will be as a result of the act. and .” stand-up performer, and I ask if he a positive end of the sentence!” has a preference? “They both give “Why do people want to do stand In 1994 Jon went to his first me satisfaction for different So what about stand-up? “Well, I’m up? I’m sure a number do it for American convention and the reasons,” he explains. “Close-up enjoying cabaret (or at least stand self-indulgent egotism. They following year won the World IBM magic still gets a raw deal from the up) magic more and more. The learned the tricks so they’re going close-up competition becoming general public, and I think this is satisfaction comes from creating an to do them. No regard for the only the second non-American to due to the amount of bad magic act that is not just a series of tricks audience or magic. They want to do so. This led to a lecture tour of and bad magicians that are out but has a definite theme. I’m never get up in front of people and show the USA and Canada the following there. It is very satisfying to perform satisfied because once I am, it off. However, there are those who year. In 1998 he won the British a close-up set and see people means I won’t work as hard on it. I genuinely want to entertain, enthrall IBM close-up competition and genuinely enjoying the whole always try to find ways to improve and thrill their audiences. The three years later won The Magic experience and feel true even the little things. I must admit, magic is not done for its own sake Circle close-up competition. astonishment. I would like to think it is a great feeling to have a room but as a vehicle for the performer to Beginning as a close-up worker, he that when someone talks about full of people enjoying themselves say something. This is what great

6 magicseen Taster No. 5

“Too MANY MAgIcIANs ArE IMMErsED IN ThE METhoDs or ThE EFFEcTs buT MIss ThE PoINT oF MAKINg ThE AuDIENcE cArE.”

magic, close-up or stand up, is all “One of the worst sayings in magic about. It might be, ‘I’m here to give is, ‘The effect is everything’. It isn’t. you a great time’ or it could be The experience the audience gets ‘think about the world around from the magic they see is you.’” everything. If you do what you feel is the greatest effect in the world At magicseen, we’ve seen and the audience doesn’t care hundreds and hundreds of about it, they win… every time.” magicians performing at all levels, from world champions to Jon has performed at hundreds of hobbyists. I ask Jon if there’s any corporate events, and I ask him common point which magicians what clients expect from a tend to overlook? “‘The point’ is magician? “Most clients probably what is missed! So much magic expect very little from the magician. I can be summed up by ‘SYPI’ think the majority just want someone which stands for ‘So Your Point Is?’ to go round doing tricks for people. People don’t care about things like They think ‘magic’ would be a fun cards finding other cards or half thing to have without realising that dollars changing to English coins booking ‘magic’ is like booking a then Chinese Coins. They may piano; how good it is depends on prove to be an interesting puzzle who the performer is. for a short time but long term, it means nothing. “What (I like to think) I give them is more than just a trick machine but “Too many magicians are immersed someone with a genuine interest in in the methods or the effects but their event and the experience of miss the point of making the thousands of similar ones. I very audience care. Too many tricks are rarely talk about the tricks but about simply solutions to problems that what I do for an event (not ‘at’) and didn’t need solving. The routine, how I can have a positive impact on and usually the presentation, simply their event. Above all, I try and give becomes a process to fulfill the them the sense that they have magician’s desire to achieve a absolutely got the right person to be pointless effect. at their event.”

8 magicseen Taster No. 5 quIcKIEs

For breakfast I had…. Lunch. Last movie I saw was: The last good film was the remarkably brilliant Inception. First crush was: Laura Bernard My biggest mistake was: Not having a work visa in the USA. I’m lucky because: I now have a work visa for the USA. Dream gig line-up: A close-up gig with Chad Long, David Williamson, Rick Merrill, Gregory Wilson, Richard Sanders & Garrett Thomas. They’d probably try to beat us down on price for a group booking. David Copperfield in a fight with Ian Keable: Who would win? Keable to win in the live show; Copperfield in the ‘edited for TV version’.

Fav country performed in? A small group of islands in the South Pacific called Vanuatu. Paradise copied it. Worst habit around the house: Allowing my magic stuff to somehow seep out of the agreed confines of my office. The moment you realised you were good was: Seeing a magician in the restaurant I was at on my last day as a student and I thought, “I’m better than that. I could earn money from magic?!” Pet peeves in magic?: Use of the word ‘Ultimate’ to describe a trick. It’s nonsensical and egotistical. Also, use of the word ‘spectator’ when referring to people and especially those who take part in routines. Fav quote: If I can offer two: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said; people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” and “If it ain’t broke, break it.”

www.magicseen.co.uk 9 The Destination Box frames virtually every close-up set I perform and for me ticks more boxes (no pun intended) than any other card to box. The Silent Treatment is the effect of which I am most proud. It has been performed by the likes of Jason and and I have seen several variations on the Internet.

“The reason it is special to me is because, as far as I am aware, the routine is unique. Magic is very linear. You start the routine, something happens and there’s a surprise at the end. However, the ending has nothing to do with why you did the routine. When a note is in a lemon, that is not why you put it in an envelope and burnt it; when the card ends up in the box, that’s Away from performing, Jon also not why it kept coming to the top of releases original effects. He the deck. However, in The Silent “I rEMEMbEr soMEoNE hAD A originally began putting out magic Treatment, the finale explains why because he felt it was an extension you have been performing the trick buNch oF cArD FEKEs AND I to creating his own routines and in the manner that you have. In presentations. “I remember other words, the finale provides the woNDErED whAT I couLD Do wITh someone had a bunch of card rationale for doing the routine in the ThEM. ThE DEcK I cAME uP wITh fekes and I wondered what I could first place. I have asked many do with them. The deck I came up knowledgeable magicians if there is hAD LIMITED sALEs buT I hAD goT with had limited sales but I had got another routine like it and none the manufacturing bug. I also have been able to come up with ThE MANuFAcTurINg bug. I ALso realised it was also a nice way to one. Maybe that’s something for rEALIsED IT wAs ALso A NIcE wAY bring in more money! your readers to find!” To brINg IN MorE MoNEY!” “The first effect I ever put out was Jon is currently working on several called Phobia. While it was still in different things, one of which is a development, I called my friend new Key-bending effect called Danny Archer and told him only a Flexion, which he hopes to have little bit about the effect. He asked released any time now. “I will also me to explain my whole idea and be re-releasing Double Back and I he was stunned. Less than one am still working on a stage version hour earlier, another friend of his, a of the Silent Treatment. I have some teacher in middle America I had other effects in my head but those never heard of or met, had are for further down the line...” He phoned him with virtually the also reveals that he’s working on a identical routine and had given it stage act based on people’s the same name! I rushed to get perceptions of magicians. “It’s a lot mine on the market and both his of fun and I think it opens up a lot and mine were released at the of presentational possibilities.” same time.” Having worked with many of the Jon tells me that he’s had some world’s top magicians, I ask if any “not-so-special releases”, but now of them have left him in awe? “Awe feels like he’s hit his stride. “I am is a powerful word!” he says, pleased with all of my releases, but contemplating his choices. “David three are special. Double Back is Williamson is a genius who has quick and simple yet very powerful; influenced me more than anyone;

10 magicseen Taster No. 5 Garrett Thomas performs what comes back with a small child in However, magic has enabled me to looks as close to real magic as I tow, who gets put front and centre not only meet, but become friends have seen; John Archer is one of and the adults all expect it to be with incredible people from around the cleverest and absolute funniest played towards the child. It’s the the world. Skype is a wonderful magicians I have the privilege of instinct that magic is for kids that tool! While the saying, “Magic calling a friend (which he’ll deny of bothers me. After each trick, there attracts the sociably inept” is true course!). His attention to detail is is usually a look to the child with to a certain extent, you will always amazing.” the patronizing, “Ooooh, Alice, how be able to make friends with others did he do that?” question. She’s who share your interest… if you so Discussing inspiration, Jon tells me about 5 years old for goodness wish. that or a while, he has been more sake! into plots and presentations than The greatest live magic performance effects. “I would much rather spend You’re going out to do close-up: what you’ve ever seen is? time working out how to make a do you take with you? (besides an One performance that sticks out is simple trick memorable than invoice!!) seeing Rick Merill at FFFF debating whether a top change is I take with me more than I need! I performing his ‘Home School’ act. better than a pass. This is born out said before that I take routines and It was extraordinarily magical and in my book ‘Experience: The Magic props with me I may not need but if very funny. I remember watching of Jon Allen’. So many routines are the circumstances are right, I’m and thinking this is what it must be simple but have a strong q&A prepared. I always take with me a like to be a laymen! That’s when presentational hook. I also tell Tell us a bit about your lecture tour, Silent Treatment because there may you know you are watching people to simply play. By playing where and what will you be doing? be a deaf person there or the music something special. with props, objects, plots, As you read this, I will be in may be way too loud. I take a few presentations or anything, you will South Africa to help celebrate 30 ‘gag’ items but to show I am How do you get from being ‘just come up with something new and years of The College of Magic. It prepared for things rather than to another magician’ to become a interesting. I keep a notebook and does an amazing job and I’m show them. I will also take some decent-earner on the corporate scene, write down my ideas, no matter honoured to be invited this year. effects that need working on and if I and to get those more glamorous how stupid or vague. The following week I’ll be in think the time is right, I’ll try them gigs!? France on a two week lecture out. A tip I learned as well is to take Can. Worms. OMG! It comes down “I also get inspiration from other tour then straight after that it’s a some stand up or parlour items. to what you can offer that sets you entertainment forms. I am a huge week lecturing and performing in I’ve done parties where I was apart from being JAM (Hey I like fan of stand up comedians Eddie Denmark, Norway and Sweden. booked for close-up but they that!) and whether the potential Izzard, Ellen Degeneres and Jerry Next year I’ll be over in the USA wanted a short stand up act at the client feels they can work with you. Seinfeld. Victor Borge was a quite a bit. I’ll be at FFFF as well end to finish off. Some routines can Having a professional looking remarkable musician and as a few other conventions. I’m be performed as large close-up or website helps as a first step. Do . While they may not also hoping to visit California for small stand up so, again, it’s good you portray a corporate image? inspire tricks or methods, I’ve the first time in 15 years for to be prepared. People’s instincts play a big part learnt a great deal from their some lectures and to catch up so, and it’s a cliché, you need to delivery, routining, and thought with friends. Magicians on Britain’s Got Talent! How make a good first impression. What processes... do you feel about that? is it about you that will make people How do you feel in the build-up to I wish they had somewhere near a want to make the booking with you “I get a lot of inspiration from films. performing cabaret? fraction of the ability the good and not another magician? “I’m So much attention is (usually) given I wonder why all my nerve magicians have got on America’s different” doesn’t mean a thing to to every aspect of creating a visual endings are in my bowels. I Got Talent. people. spectacle and telling of the story. learnt a big lesson about The Silent Treatment was, in part, performing on stage from Jeff Do you find being a magician a lonely Same thing goes for when you talk inspired by the film ‘The Others’ McBride that I put into operation existence? to them on the phone. Can you talk which has a memorable moment every time now. It not only helps Sometimes at certain magic events to corporate clients as an equal? near the end (I don’t want to spoil to relax me before a show but I wish it were more lonely! The Do you seem like the sort of person things for those that haven’t seen also means the chances of loneliest times are when an event the company wants mingling it). I remember coming out of the success are increased. has been exceptional; people have amongst their business clients and cinema thinking, “I’d love to come been raving about me; there have suppliers? The same goes for the up with a magic trick like that’. What annoys you most about been standing ovations; the glamorous gigs. Usually, everything There is a moment that provides a performing close-up? booker’s face tells me just how is of a very high standard. Having a genuine moment of bewilderment When I have introduced myself much it means to her… then I magician who is out of their depth that makes the audience consider to a group of adults and one have a 3 hour drive back home will reflect badly on the booker. the film they have just watched. says, “Oh, let me go and get in the pouring rain at 10 o’clock Give them no reason to think you Those who have seen it should see ‘Alice’. I wait and the person at night. would not fit in. ms the comparison.”

www.magicseen.co.uk 11 KEEPING IN CONTACT A Start-Up Guide To Contact Juggling By Lawrence Turner

While a few of the basic manipulations involved in contact juggling (generally just body rolls) have been around for a very their body - elbows and heads are a favourite for this; and there are multiball moves that long time, the art as we know it today was developed by don’t quite fit into any of these categories Michael Moschen, who didn’t actually call it contact juggling either, but they are the main three and most but preferred to describe it as “dynamic manipulation”. You will other moves/manipulations can be made up of a combination of them. have all seen Michael Moschen’s hands as the hands of David Bowie in Labyrinth (perhaps the only use of contact juggling in a mass pop culture media). Getting Into Contact Juggling This can be very cheap to get into, but can get somewhat expensive once you start taking it Contact juggling is a form of “juggling” where seriously. All you need to get you going is a the ball doesn’t leave the performers body stage ball, available from any good juggling (or that’s the idea, although there is certainly shop or website for a few pounds. room for throwing the ball at some points). I would recommend a 100mm sized ball It is not limited to just using one ball but can to begin with, as a lot of the moves are far use several. It can be broken down into 3 harder with a smaller ball. Of course, if you main sections: have small hands, try a smaller ball, perhaps one measuring 70/75mm. Body Rolls: Where the ball is rolled over the These balls would mostly be used for hands, from hand to hand, along the arms, single ball tricks. If you want to get into multi- over the chest or wherever the performer can balling, then stage balls aren’t sufficient and manage to roll a ball! you’ll probably need to buy a handful (I recommend at least 4 to start with) of Palm Spins: Mostly used for multi-balling, smaller acrylic balls. palm spinning involves holding up to about 4 Here the size of the ball becomes a lot balls in one hand and spinning them round more about personal taste. The best way to each other. When combined with some find out what suits you, would be to visit a isolation and passing the balls between the juggling shop and ask the assistant. Acrylics, hands, this can be one of the most beautiful or more specifically clear acrylics, are the parts of contact juggling. kind of ball most associated with contact juggling and are the “crystal” balls you see Isolations: Rather than rolling the ball around most (like in Labyrinth). Acrylics can be quite your hands or body, the ball is seen to stay in expensive - it’s not uncommon to find a the same spot in space and the performer’s 100mm clear acrylic selling at around £50 - hand and body move around the ball. A and so this is when it starts getting expensive. perfectly isolated single ball palm spin can be But of course, the more you spend, the better a very beautiful and confusing thing to see - it’s going to look! your brain tells you the ball should be moving, but there it stays perfectly Getting Info About Contact Juggling stationary. A well maintained and defect- To learn how to contact juggle you could get free ball is pretty much essential for yourself over to www.contactjuggling.org effective isolations. where you can find plenty of free written There are of course a few moves tutorials. If you want a book, the standard that don’t strictly fall into any of these reading is James Ernest’s “Contact Juggling”. categories such as Stalls, where the For DVDs, there are visual versions of James performer stops a roll at some point Ernest’s book on the previously mentioned and balances the ball on some part of website, or there is “The Visual Encyclopedia

12 magicseen Taster No. 5 of Contact Juggling” by Matt Olsen. So there’s manipulation has obvious uses in a linking something to suit everyone’s budget! Again, rings routine etc… the higher the price the better quality of Unfortunately, because magic tends to product and as every magician knows, it’s a use small size balls (such as in the Cups and lot easier to learn from a video than it is from Balls, for example) it limits the amount that a book. contact juggling can be interwoven with the magic. But maybe there is room yet for someone to come up with a good Contact Juggling In Magic combination! ms The most obvious place for some contact juggling in a magic routine is during a zombie ball effect, or some form of floating ball trick. By finding a ball that is the same size and colour as your gimmick, you could switch (Ed Note: Armando Lucero, the top close between the two to add an extra touch to the up performer from the USA, uses contact routine and this could also add a fair amount juggling as part of his close up show. His of convincing to it. performance with a single ball is beautiful Using contact juggling as a build up to, or to watch and proves that it is a great way as a conclusion to, a routine like this gives a to captivate the attention of an audience!) greater amount of justification for including it, rather than just randomly adding some without really associating it with the magic. As an idea, you could do your little zombie ball routine then switch out your zombie ball for your contact ball and using a combination of isolations and hand movements, copy the same movements the zombie made. Using isolations in this way can give the impression that the ball is moving of its own free will. Of course, it won’t look like it’s actually floating, but the illusion is as close as it comes without using any gimmicks. There are several other forms of object manipulation using pretty much anything a performer can get his hands on. Some ring

www.magicseen.co.uk 13 When it ‘‘comes to creating magic, I’ve only just begun.’’ Jay brings Joy!

There’s always a buzz of excitement when the brilliant Jay Sankey is in town - yes, believe it or not, even magic fans have the ability to get excited! Blackpool will be a much better place for having this Canadian fellow with the sublime skills and sharp wit to seduce us. Jay answers a few of our questions…

14 magicseen Taster No.5 Are you a fan of conventions & competitions? Absolutely. I’m a fan of anything that fans the fires of a people’s passion for magic. (“Fans!” Get it? Yeah, yeah, they can’t all be winners). For many people, conventions and competitions are a great way to focus and fuel their interest in magic. At the same time, I think people should be very careful that they don’t 5 become intimidated or overwhelmed by these events and leave feeling deflated rather than THINGS YOU excited. Some people who try to absorb too much at a convention or big competition can DIDN’T KNOW end up feeling drained or jaded and that’s the worst way to nurture your love of magic. ABOUT JAY!

What was the last competition you performed in? 1. I have written a few I haven’t performed in a magic competition in Has there been one single thing in the past screenplays as well as almost 30 years. The last competition I entered 12 months that has really blown a still-unpublished non- your mind? was as a young boy at a “magic camp” fiction book called “The organised by Tannen’s in the US. If I recall My darling daughter Madelaine was born on Connection Instinct” correctly, I did a few original coin tricks January 18, 2006, and she’s been blowing my exploring the painful including some sort of “coin through jacket mind ever since. (My sweet 3-year old boy fictions that give rise to our lining” effect. All I can remember is some line Mason has been blowing my mind for years!) seminal sense of about “the weave in tweed” and how I was separateness. convinced it was a funny line. You are a prolific inventor of effects - can 2. I have a large scar on the first you sleep at night!! What are your previous experiences of knuckle of my left index finger Blackpool? Some nights I simply can’t. Too many ideas from when, as a 9-year old amateur Blackpool is incredible. I always get a huge kick swirling around in my head demanding filmmaker, I cut off the head of a tiny out of being 1 of 5,000 magicians who invade to be written down and fleshed-out. So I drag plastic toy figure (an African a small British town for a few days. The my tired bones out of bed, shuffle downstairs, tribesman to be exact) with an X-acto competitions and performances are amazing, find a notepad and pen and take dictation for knife in preparation for a post- but I also get a charge walking through the an hour or so. I think of myself as a kind of battle scene...the knife streets and spotting some of the biggest servant with The Ideas as the master. Other slipped and sliced me to names in magic strolling around like “ordinary nights, as I lie in bed I am the bone. people.” The whole thing has a real “Invasion of able to resist tip-toeing into the “magic the Body Snatchers” vibe for me. mindset,” and on those nights, sleep quickly 3. I’ve been takes me. working on a silent act for 2 years. I If you were responsible for putting on a sometimes feel that “I’ve been forever show - which handful of magicians would What was the last book you read? you like to see perform? Close-up or getting by on my wit” and I long to SHUT stand-up. And why? “Becoming Attached” by Robert Karen PHD. It’s UP and let the magic do the talking. about first relationships and how they shape There are a great many magicians whose work I our capacity to love. 4. As a teenager I briefly experimented admire, but the first names that come to mind with a variety of are Richard Sanders, , Shoot Last movie watched? instruments Ogawa, David Acer and Eric Mead. Sanders is I’ve been on a bit of an Oliver Stone binge including harp, just such a stellar combination of funny and recently. My wonderful wife Lisa likes sports timpani, violin, piano really magical. Tamariz is so smart, subtle, movies (with their tense, sweaty palms and clarinet. Despite the warm and present/accessible. Ogawa blows my climaxes) so we watched “Any Given Sunday” a fact that at mind with his heart stopping visuals. Acer is few nights ago and both thoroughly enjoyed this point I cannot play a just such a lovely person and always makes me it. We rented “World Trade Center” the following single song on any laugh my butt off. And Mead, he’s a true night, but it lacks the usual Oliver Stone bells instrument student of the art, always learning, always and whistles and we experienced it as slow and known to man, I have a very strong thinking, and it comes out in his work, every surprisingly dull. belief that music will be my gesture, every humble word. (I’d also love to “last career.” see a close-up show featuring Kuda Bux and Favourite UK/European magicians? Heba Haba Al, but that’s only because I groove I am a big fan. Talk about making 5. When it comes to creating magic, I’ve ghosts and I’ve gone through periods in my life effects MEANINGFUL and giving them a only just begun. where I’ve obsessively said the names of both credible and engaging context. Superb! ms quite dead magi over and over and over again. www.sankeymagic.com Their names are just THAT catchy!) www.magicseen.co.uk 15 arriving and his leaving for school. the popcorn and watching, for the In school-uniform and with variety on show. He shares with us promises of a second part to the his acquisition of a smorgasbord of video should his battery run out, he magic: dancing canes, thread takes us through his decks and pk genies, stiff ropes, dimes and equipment with a hushed reverence pennies…oh, and Ellusionist decks. worthy of a religious relic. It is the essence of Christmas Day morning Yes, watching these videos it is very in 133 seconds, and MrAlex is just easy to be condescending, it is very as delighted with his shipping note easy to be cynical. Yet they break as he is with all his actual down national and cultural magic…including his Ellusionist differences to reveal the universal of decks. the passion, fever and thrill that magic can provoke in those who In fact, the shipping note/receipt love it. They reassure when one often plays a star part in these reflects on the giddy feelings of videos. Just as fascinating as any receiving one’s own magic of the magic products, the stars will deliveries - that you are not the only fumble and open the A4 sheets, one. They demonstrate that peruse and digest the banal Americans like to use dirty great contents of it, and yet still lethal-looking knives to open even somehow decide this is worthy of the most straightforward packet, our attention and hold it up to the containing, say, an Ellusionist deck. camera for a low-resolution extreme close-up. It can turn into Finally, I want to direct you towards like watching a car-crash in slow one of my favourite videos. motion; you see the unfolding of YouTube user mistersage1’s five- the sheet of paper, you see the minute epic “my scanning of the text, and you find dudethatscoolmagic package yourself shouting out, “no, it’s just opening.” First of all, he is terribly the shipping note, we don’t need to British and understated, and see it!” But they show it anyway. practically undermines everything And their Ellusionist decks. I’ve previously written about the excitement. Secondly, he not only reads from, and shows us, his The preponderance of males in the shipping note, he also refers to it as magic world is, naturally, reflected “pretty cool.” Thirdly, he goes one in this area too. User stage further than most and holds TheAmazingSavanna competes up to his camera an individual hAvE A LooK AT well with the boys by combining packing-peanut, referring to it genres to make an “unpackaging poetically as an “S-shaped thingy.” road-movie,” whilst being the Bless him, he’s even surprised that passenger in a moving car. the cards he takes out of a red MY PAcKAgE Curiously, this element doesn’t add Bicycle case are red-backed cards. by Daniel Lander to the excitement, but Savanna So next time you receive some must be congratulated for trying to magic in the mail, think how much There exists on YouTube a curious packing-peanuts spewing over stretch the boundaries of the art the world could be served by subculture of exhibitionists and bedroom carpets, and magic form, whilst simultaneously making it into a public event that narcissists, ready to share with their goodies forming piles of treasured demonstrating that a $6 magic millions can be invited to. Even if webcams what is normally a very booty. All human life is here: the colouring book can be just as we don’t see you performing with private and very intimate activity. anticipation; the frustrations; the prized as a handmade O’Connell them, let’s see those tricks and exhilaration; the disappointments; wallet or Todd Lassen coin DVDs, books and, oh yes, those These are the “unboxers,” and the countless Ellusionist decks. gaffs…or a very collectable Ellusionist decks, make their way what they do is take you through Ellusionist deck. up that virtual red carpet and enter the opening of their just-received YouTube user MrAlexMagic is your life. It might be the start of magic packages and parcels. Fresh particularly keen that we should see Decks of cards do tend to making your audience spellbound. from their favourite magic dealers, his magic purchases, even turning dominate what is pulled out of the Or at least parcel tape-bound. ms these boxes, mailing-bags and jiffy his webcam on in the hurried few parcels and packets, so user packs are excitedly unsealed - minutes between the postman sk8terdp is worth sitting down with

16 magicseen Taster No.5 below the top card of the usELEss deck. Fig.1. The right hand cuts the top half of the MAgIc deck—all the cards above the little finger break—and TrIvIA!! brings them to the bottom. Fig.2. The right thumb Medieval magicians used to keeps the break in the place celery seeds inside of middle of the deck. The their shoes as they believed right hand takes all the that doing this would help cards above the break but them to fly! the left thumb at the same time slides off the top card SAME TIME, SAME Fig 1 PLACE that falls onto the bottom portion directly over the This effect is really a reversed card. Fig.3 shows fantastic one. It is based on an exposed view of this an idea by the late Steve happening. Place the right- Pressley. hand half to the bottom.

EFFECT: Position check: the selected You apparently know in card is face down on top Professor Kathy Sykes, the delightful TV presenter, who advance the card that a followed by the face-up card used to present Tomorrow's spectator will select! followed by the remainder of World for the BBC, used to be the face down deck. a magician's assistant in PERFORMANCE: Florence, Italy. Take back a shuffled deck Turn the deck face up and and say, “Usually Fig 2 spread some cards showing ’ real name is: magicians are able to find that the selected card is not Newton Edward Daniels cards because they know near the bottom of the deck. in advance which card a Square and turn the deck spectator will choose.” Fan over. Lift six or seven cards the cards face down and with the right hand and flip remove one card. Square them over onto the remainder the other cards face up in of the deck. Spread the face- the left hand and insert the up cards as far as the first card, without showing its face down card, showing Japanese magician Princess face, face down in the them to be indifferent and flip Tenko was almost killed in middle of the face-up deck. them face down on top. 2007 when a sword trick (With this subtle move you went wrong. The illusionist was trapped in a box by 10 Spread the cards showing have secretly reversed the metal swords during a show the face-down card in the selected card face up and Fig 3 in the Japanese city of Sabae, middle. Square the cards turned the other card face breaking several ribs and her and obtain a break below down.) right cheek. the card that lies directly up second from the top) top but keep a break One of the swords "would under the face-down and have a card selected between the two portions. Casually cut the deck to have been stuck in her right prediction. With a double without exposing the centralize the reversed eye if it were one centimetre undercut, bring the two reversed card. After the Execute the Marlo’s cover card. Spread the cards higher", her manager Noboru cards to the bottom of the selection is complete, your cut, which will bring the face up showing the face- Ochiai said at the time. deck (the face-down card is right hand cuts the top half selected card on top of the down card in the middle, Renowned for her elaborate now second from the of the deck and the left- deck, directly onto the saying that your card is still costumes and doll make-up, bottom in the face-up deck). hand lower half is offered to face-up card. Briefly: the there and has been from the magician was injured the spectator so that he left little finger has a break the very beginning. Turn it performing a trick billed as Turn the deck face down can place his card on top. over the selected card. The over and show it is the The Spike Illusion in the Face (the reversed card is face Place the right-hand half on right thumb obtains a break selected card. of Death.

www.magicseen.co.uk 17 rEvIEws H - poor HH - OK, but could be better HHH - reasonable middle of the road value HHHH - good product HHHHH - outstanding/exceptional

technically straightforward, film, cutting it neatly to size. with this style too. AT A gLANcE... but often good This preparation needs to presentation skills will be be done carefully but only The other main required as many of the once. Next you are consideration is where you effects rely on subtle use of supplied with a gimmicked could do this material. The equivoque or some form of Sharpie pen which has Test Book is A5 in size and psychological forcing, and been prepared to work as spectators are repeatedly clumsy application of these a dry erase marker pen (as required to look at things in ruses will ruin the purity of opposed to a permanent the book. IMAgINE the intended effects. So I marker that Sharpies by G and SM Productionz would suggest that while normally come as). Although you could present Available from your local those already versed in the this as part of a stage spot, magic dealer work of performers such as Finally, you receive an A5 the size of the book Price: £19.00 (approx) or size 52 page centre suggests to me that a ThE TEsT booK - will feel very much at stapled instruction booklet close up show where the Imagine being able to booK TEsT home, as Paul Carnazzo which takes you through all audience is smaller and far turn a signed double Paul Carnazzo has based some of his the necessary nearer would be better. In blank card into a thought Available from: ideas on their earlier efforts, preparations, handlings fact, I think this would work of playing card. Front www.merlinswakefield.com newcomers will need to and presentations. These very well at a private party and back, with the Price: £49.95 practise well before instructions are quite where everyone is relaxed, spectator's signature on attempting to pull off some detailed and perfectly knows each other, and the face of the card! Well Now here’s something of the more demanding adequate for getting you where there is plenty of now you can with interesting for anyone who effects. up and running with the time and the minimum of Imagine with only wants to include some tests. distraction. minimal pseudo thought So what do you get for required! This effect is transference in their act. nearly 50 quid? Well, firstly If you are considering Much of the work here also an excellent use for Firstly do not be misled by the nicely produced wire adding this idea to your relies on subtle intonation all of those old cards the title - this is NOT a bound A5 size Book Of act, there are a couple of and clever use of words you’ve got stuffed in a book test in the traditonal Tests which is printed on things for you to consider. and speech, and this is not drawer. Great effect. sense. Instead you are good quality paper with Firstly, what type of act do possible in the hurly burly HHHHH supplied with a wire bound glossy card covers. This you wish it to be part of? It of a dinner function or most book which purports to book is going to be seems to me that to get commercial close up contain a number of ‘tests’ handled at times by the the best out of this you situations, whereas an which have been put audience so needs to would not want to pick just attentive audience in together by the National withstand a fair amount of one of the tests and do it in someone’s house, for Institute of Parapsychology wear and tear. isolation, as the impact example, would allow the to assess whether the would be less than if you performer to develop an performer and the Next, you get a set of a do a sequence of them atnosphere to make the TwIsTED bLIzzArD spectators can link minds dozen pieces of card. since it builds as it goes. most of the tests. ML J Aaron Delong and pass information to These are printed on one While you wouldn’t Available www.jbtv.co.uk each other. side with a suitably obtuse probably look to do all 10 WHAT’S HOT: some nice Price: £17.50 looking symbol, and text tests, several would make ideas needing good Essentially each page of that tells you that they have a good sequence and be presentation skills to pull One of the hits of the book contains lists of apparently been supplied logical as it builds the them off well Blackpool 2010. You ask numbers, or words, or by the National Institute of impact as it progresses. WHAT’S NOT: perhaps a bit a spectator to simply object drawings or Parapsychology. The other You certainly wouldn’t want expensive name any card in the symbols, and these are side of these cards is blank to include this as part of a HHHH deck. Then spreading the used in various ways by and at some stage before magic act, since the idea is deck, there is only one the performer to prove that you can begin to use the supposed to be that you card in the entire deck, thought transference is cards in any of the tests, are doing geuine the named card. Every possible. Sometimes the you are going to need to parapsychological tests other card is BLANK. This presentational emphasis is draw symbols or write rather than magic tricks, is an alternative handling that a spectator is receiving words on the blank sides and even as a section of a of the original Dean Dill a thought, other times that and then cover them with mentalism act, you would effect but with no sleight he is sending one. The pieces of supplied want to make sure the rest of hand. methods used are transparent self adhesive of your material fitted in HHHH

18 magicseen Taster No. 5 cutting and sticking. You routine where four jokers, straightforward handling, AT A gLANcE... are then shown and taught one at a time, are pushed produce some eye- three routines, through the deck and popping magic! What’s the transform into four Aces. down side? Well, each TuNNEL vIsIoN Tunnel Transpo is a The first three routine has a specific set- by Dave Forest straightforward routine transformations utilise up so they can only be Available from: where a signed chosen existing but well done once without having www.full52.com card is placed under the choreographed card to reset. That of course Price: £9.99 (Instant download) spectator’s hand on the moves to achieve three means the routines require FoursEEN table. Another random card face down changes whilst a deck to themselves so Tunnel Vision is Dave is then pushed through the the last joker uses the won’t be too practical to Available from your local Forest’s clever solution to pack transforming into the Tunnel Vision gimmicks to repeat at a standard dinner magic dealer the idea of pushing a signed chosen card, whilst show the change visually type function. Price: £15.00 (approx) playing card endwise the card under the face up as a finale. A nice through the long side of a spectator’s hand becomes story line makes the That doesn’t take anything Taken from his recent 3 deck of cards and having it the card pushed through repetition make sense and away from the very DVD set and prduced as visually transpose face up the deck! the well paced sequence practical but simple design a stand alone item, into a previously signed makes for a strong of the gimmick(s) and well Fourseen is one of card as it passes through Vision Corrector starts off professional set piece of structured feature routine Wayne Dobson’s most the pack, or as a way of with a red backed card magic. of the four Jokers to Aces. popular routines from his transforming a card into an prediction card shown. It’s still a worthwhile TV and live Ace, for example. Visual Another card from a blue The well explained routines purchase, especially if you performances. Great changes like this make for deck is then freely selected require intermediate card can use it in ‘one off’ revelation of four cards eye-popping magic and but doesn’t match the red handling and any specific performances as part of a with a really strong once it has happened the backed prediction. The red moves required are set act. PP ending! Ideal for close- card is examinable. card is then signed on the explained. The sequence of up or stage. back and pushed through moves is important so WHAT’S HOT: Great visual HHHH For the small price, you are the deck where it visually each routine will need magic and easily made taught how to make the changes to match the some handling practice so gimmick! two necessary gimmicks, chosen blue backed card that it appears natural to WHAT’S NOT: Reset prevents which are very easy and still with the signature on avoid having to reposition repeating simple to make and take the back. the deck to correct HHHHH just minutes to do. Neither handling errors. So far it’s requires any obscure Finally Tunnel Vision, is the all very good. Easily made materials or skills beyond professional feature length gimmicks with a relatively FLIghTcAsE Peter Eggink Available from your local you have a veritable Pocket Interchange) and it As you would expect from magic dealer arsenal of magic at your is clear to see that they Big Blind Media the DVD Price: £17.50 fingertips. No more have worked together and production is excellent, and pockets bulging with decks been friends for many again, some will like the Any card is selected and only capable of unleashing years by their onscreen format, some won’t. signed by the spectator. ONE trick. That’s what it rappor. It is very Next, you show the card says in the advertising entertaining to watch. If you have 20 quid burning case to be completely blurb anyway. a hole in your pocket you empty (it really is empty) All the effects taught are could do a lot worse than and it is placed in between You do need a bit more well within the reach of the spend it on this DVD. the hands of the spectator. DuPEs that just a few extra cards average card worker with Highly recommended. PS Suddenly the signed card Gary Jones & Chris Congreave for some of the effects on little or no sleights required. visually disappears, only to Available from the DVD but it is certainly WHAT’S HOT: 14 excellent be found inside the card www.bigblindmedia.com or worth it! There’s everything from card effects taught in an case that was shown your favourite dealer. ‘Card at Any Number’ to entertaining fashion. empty just seconds ago. Price: £19.99 Gary and Chris take you ‘Card in Pocket’ effects and WHAT’S NOT: A bit more Easy to do method for one step by step through 12 I’m sure there will be than just a few extra cards of card magic’s most Grab one deck and a few effects (14 if you include something on here for needed. popular plots. extra duplicate cards and the other two handlings of everyone interested in cards. HHHH HHH

www.magicseen.co.uk 19 Edinburgh Festival round-up 2010!

It comes around every year, almost like an annual event! (Yes, I meant to say that!). And every year, more and more magicians seem to be making their way north to the Scottish capital. We’ve dug out a few reviews of performers so you can see for yourselves what the press said. Just remember that these reviews are generally written by non-magicians. OK, here we go then....

PIFF ThE MAgIc DrAgoN recommend the show to those who Every Edinburgh act is looking for have not seen Piff before. At £6 a some way to stand out from the ticket, it’s one of the best value crowd, and Piff the Magic Dragon shows on the Fringe. has definitely achieved it. Rather Review by Jessica Pinkett than just your average comedy magic show, this young man does his dressed as a dragon. A very cute one too! If humans could be friends with dragons, I’d definitely want to be friends with Piff.

The cuteness factor is further increased in Piff’s new show, where his co-star is Mr Pickles, the levitating chihuahua. The dog was clearly suffering from stage fright and appeared quite bewildered by the whole situation, so hopefully he got some nice doggy treats after , LouNgE the show. wIzArD Although he is also appearing through this impressive show, Paul’s con-artist charm and acerbic I was a little disappointed to see nightly throughout the Fringe co- giving the audience a great sense of humour is enjoyable and some of the same jokes being re- hosting The Late Late Show with opportunity to witness his magic up his routines are slick and – even 2 used from Piff’s 2009 show, and I Mikelangelo, Paul Zenon is also close and personal. feet away in the front row – have to say the novelty of a man demonstrating his close-up magic impossible to fathom. doing magic tricks while dressed as in the basement of Le Monde in We get some tales of his formative Review by Keith D a dragon this intimate 45 minute years hanging out in a Blackpool (however cute) show. freakshow; his experiences going bArrY & sTuArT: had worn off As quick with his through airport security with séANcE somewhat. There comedy as he is metallic objects secreted about his A lot of people seem to be was also one with his sleight-of- person; and a fabulous signature completely taken in by this show. sketch section which hand, Paul routine featuring a pool triangle and Not, presumably, in believing that even Piff himself speeds a pint of Newcastle Brown. these two young Scottish tricksters recognised was ill- are genuine necromancers, advised. However, the summoning up evil spirits, but in tricks he did were still that they become so thoroughly impressive, and I would definitely absorbed by the horror-movie

20 magicseen Taster No.5 aesthetics, they experience genuine audience are all urged not to shock at what occurs. disclose – the illusions become more impressive and, to some, But, in reality, it amounts to some more believable. There is no stage hypnotism, a few mid-range denying the wow factor here, as magic tricks and a couple of you wonder how they could fantastic ones, but all brilliantly possibly have done that, but packaged in the dark theatricality of you get the same with fellow the séance. Fringe magician but without all the diabolical whistles Barry and Stuart make it and bells. abundantly clear they are sceptics, debunking some of the For many, the experience was psychological tricks that convince much deeper than being people they might have witnessed astonished, and for them this would something , such as surely be a five-star show (as some voices in radio static. They are reviewers have already deemed it). affable, sometimes witty, guides For the rest of us, it’s simply a bit of through the history of gothic fun. and mythical creatures such as the Review by SB Sandman (which I kept mishearing Morgan and West were Classic tricks were given new life as ‘sound man’ which made the immediately likeable and put the with the framing device of Victorian whole thing a lot less spooky, even MorgAN AND wEsT: TIME (sold out) audience at their ease. I time travel and new tricks were though some of these tecchies can, TrAvELLINg MAgIcIANs would like to have seen a bit more born. As a magic show, it is admittedly, be a bit weird). Morgan and West: Time Travelling Victoriana in their language and accomplished and welcoming, not Magicians is a family friendly magic attitude as the old world turns of showoffey at all. Morgan and West This preamble is the equivalent of show with tricks both classic, such phrase they did use were enjoyed have a great chemistry with one checking the knots in an as the , the bullet thoroughly. During interactions with another and I am sure that the stunt, getting the catch(!) and familiar card tricks, as volunteers there seemed to be little whole crowd including the children audience to concentrate on exactly well as inventive ideas such as the spontaneity or banter outside of the thoroughly enjoyed the show. what the conjurors want you to daring balloon escape. It’s a slick, script where there could have been. concentrate on. fun afternoon adventure in magic. However, their exchanges with I personally really enjoyed these each other were well crafted and time traveling magicians. I thought As we delve deeper into the mock The show has a nice pace where elicited a lot of laughter and the look, feel and comedy of the séance, volunteers are genuinely audience-involved tricks are broken appreciation. show were accessible and fun! discombobulated by what they up with small vignettes. In these Reviewed by Katy Schutte witness, and as we move towards moments, a time travel manual in The lighting and soundtrack the finale – the details of which the voice over is demonstrated punctuated the show well with metaphorically with sleight of hand comedy highlights; changing up the ALI cooL – PIEcEs oF and humour. There is a rope trick to pace to keep everyone interested. sTrANgE show the dangers of a time loop The staging was simple as there The first magic trick that Ali Cook and a very well crafted coin trick was a large chest on end in the learnt as a child was from a Paul that moves back and forward middle of the stage housing Daniel’s set, but he’s certainly come in time. everything our magicians needed. a long way since then. His hour- For me, I would like to have felt a long Edinburgh Fringe show little deeper in Victorian provides an astounding range of company and it would be an magic tricks and demonstrations of easy task to replace modern jaw-dropping mind-reading. envelopes, books etc. with something that looked in Ali’s comedy patter between the keeping with the premise; tricks is a little on the cheesy side especially in this era where and was reminiscent of David Brent steampunk is a la mode. and Jimmy Carr - but the audience were here to see the magic and not his jokes. His magic performance skills are of great quality and the opening trick as a ‘cruise ship’ magician make him endearing to the audience. >>

www.magicseen.co.uk 21 >> His prediction tricks are nothing show and the first ‘demonstration’ short of unfathomable and are the began. ones we’re still talking about a day later. Ali does change the direction Colin was confident on stage, with of the show a few times, displaying genuinely funny gags linking his his amazing range of skills, albeit show together. With a forensic some bizarre ones. scientist background, his ability to read body language and people’s The Houdini-inspired finale is minds was evident from the start. nothing short of mind-blowing and Randomly picking audience worth the ticket price alone. members to assist him led to gasps of astonishment as he mystified the This Fringe venue is small allowing audience again and again. you to see the tricks up close, but you may leave suffering from a sore I don’t want to give away any head trying to work out how on ‘spoilers’ to the show, but I was earth he does it. Grab a ticket for particularly impressed when he got this intimate setting whilst you can. one audience member to read Review: Edinbro Spotlight another’s mind and unlock a padlock combination. In fact, I was amazed at every aspect of this coLIN McLEoD, I KNow show – as were the rest of the sealed up with gaffer tape. But sometimes you want to scream: Colin McLeod is a rising star in the audience. that’s no obstacle to Kiwi comic “For God’s sake, say something!” mind reading world and he has Sam Wills, whose whole act – now But more often, it’s a pleasure to achieved so much for someone the Colin has a clear ability to predict making waves throughout the world see great vaudevillian routines tender age of 23. Hailed as the what people will say and do which of comedy – is based on an inability reinvented and invested with real new Derren Brown, Colin has was demonstrated in front of my to speak. Think Chaplin, think personality. The sketches travelled the world performing his own eyes and will have you Marcel Marceau, think those old themselves are often familiar: Wills show, but the Edinburgh convinced he can actually see what Edinburgh stalwarts Men in Coats. slipping his arm into the sleeve of a International Magic Festival sees people are thinking. I just don’t But Wills ranges beyond classic dress and embracing himself, or him return to Edinburgh, giving know how he does it, but will be silent comedy, using every means animating Louis Armstrong with a people a rare opportunity to pondering his possible methods for at his disposal – sound effects, cloth cap and a Tupperware box. experience his skills, live. a long time to come. costume, pop music and playful But Wills’s sticky predicament gives Review: Edinbro Spotlight business with the audience – in them new life. It’s funny to see three My friend and I were intrigued to pursuit of wordless fun. audience stooges do the dance see Colin in action and were not moves to Blame It On the Boogie. disappointed as we took our seats ThE boY wITh TAPE oN It’s old-school stuff, and those who It’s funnier still to see Wills’s at Augustine United Church this hIs FAcE can’t abide mime may still find their exasperation at having to teach evening. A short video of the I’ve seen a few standups over the teeth going furry at this comedian. them with a gaffer-taped mouth. mystical man welcomed us to his years whose mouths I’d have gladly It can be a bit cute – and yes, Audience participation-phobes may stay away, but they’d miss a show that’s less about humiliation than celebration. There’s one remarkable moment, when Wills and a woman from the crowd sit and make eyes at one another, and a dorky, touching love scene is created from nothing. Elsewhere, the big laughs usually come when his mystifying business with various props finally yields its visual punchline – a Rizla paper spinning like a propeller, say, or a tableau from the film Ghost. For now, Wills is the last word in silent comedy. Review: BL.

22 magicseen Taster No.5

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