THE MAGAZINE FOR MAGICIANS & MENTALISTS

Taster Issue No.19 PAUL ZENON NICE AND SLEAZY DOES IT! HYPNOSIS YOU ARE FEELING DROWSY... (MAGICSEEN HAS THAT EFFECT ON READERS!)

S.A.M.P.A ANDY DOES THE TRICK REVIEWS NYMAN 20 MAGIC HEADLINES WE’D LIKE TO SEE STILL KICKING ASS!

BOOK TO CD PLAYER RABBIT IN HAT PUPPET - £295.00 - £24.99 At first there is an ordinary book in This is a lovely item, suitable for kids the magician’s hand. He shows it to and adults alike. You start off by the audience, so the spectators see holding a black top hat with both that is a regular book. Then he hands. As you look away, a rabbit opens the book and tears cuts out a page and draws a CD player pops his head out of the hat. As you on it. Then he places it in front of the book and then removing it. start to look back, it pops back in.

Amazingly a CD player now takes the place of the book, which can A great comedy item that is loved by be shown on all sides to be solid. You can perform this item with children and adults alike with endless different methods to suit your own style. Size when open is possibilities. 40 x 27 x 24 cm Weight: 2 Kg

PANDORA - £22.95 DOVE PAN REVERSE - This is one of the funniest and most startling ways NEW MODEL of producing a selected card that I have ever seen. In effect a card is selected and returned to - £85.00 the pack. The card can be marked if so desired. This is a new version of an A small box is shown; it is circular with a hinged old classic. You start by lid, rather like a ladies powder compact, but showing a large metal smaller. It is placed on top of the pack and dish, which is full of empty opened. Out pops a jack in the box type of snake sweet wrappers. You place with the chosen card stuck to its nose. the lid on, and then remove it and instantly the pan is now full of sweets. You can start off It is as quick and clean as that: There is no fumbling, palming or with a pan full of real sweets, and change them to real fruit or a cake or anything of that kind. The impact comes because the card is bigger anything that can fit in the pan. So with this new model, you can change than the box that it is seen to come out of. one item into another, or change the pan of real sweets into doves. SEE YOU ALL AT ! It’s Always Magic at...Merlins 15 The Springs, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 1QE Tel: 01924 339933 email: [email protected] www.Merlinswakefield.com HYPNO TISM ENTERTAINMENT OR SCIENCE? Mark Leveridge

Mention the word o help answer this question ‘hypnotism’ and most people Magicseen approached two hypnotists who sit firmly on one will probably first think of T side of the divide or the other. On famous entertainers such as the medical side we spoke to Trevor Paul McKenna and will have Hoskisson. Trevor is an international award an image of a line of people winning hypnotherapist who advises clients on a stage behaving badly! such as psychotherapists, coaches, doctors But given a little more time and professors on the use of hypnotherapy and is part of the prestigious Harley Street to consider it, people will Hypnotherapy Clinic. Trevor is an expert on probably recognise that the development of human potential and seeks hypnotism is also used in to help his individual clients achieve personal medical situations to help happiness, whether that means helping them smokers to give up the habit to lose weight or perhaps providing pain relief, and he finds that hypnosis is particularly or to reduce pain or banish effective for chronic conditions. phobias, for instance. Given the two hugely different On the entertainment side we were looking applications of apparently for someone with a lot of experience and so the same discipline, it begs we turned to Kev Bee who has been the question as to which is presenting a stage hypnotism show for over 20 years and who has a background prior to the real hypnotism, or are that in entertainment generally, particularly the both equally valid? music industry. Since most of our readers are HYPNOTISM

likely to be interested especially in the generally a stage hypnotist does the same entertainment side of the divide, I asked Kev show in lots of different locations, and only first whether he considered stage hypnotism occasionally makes modifications to his act. to be all about audience management or whether there was any real science involved? “If you’re a good It doesn’t actually take too long to train to be a hypnotherapist – ten days of classroom based “If you’re a good entertainer, it’s about 90% entertainer, it’s studies, and 240 hours of home based audience management skill and 10% science. studying are about the minimum requirements Anyone can hypnotise, but not everyone can about 90% to call yourself a hypnotherapist. However, hold an audience’s attention and I think to make audience there is much more to learn and I probably do hypnosis interesting you need that at least three weeks of CPD every year as well showmanship. It’s a controversial view but the management as reading for half an hour to an hour in my only people who have ever asked me about the subject most days of the week. Also, every science of hypnosis are people who understand skill and 10% client is different, and has differing needs. I hypnosis, NLP or psychology. Everyone else just science. quite often need to research the best way to asks about the content of the show, as that’s deal with a particular issue.” what interests them.” Anyone can These comments immediately raise a point So this immediately tells you that stage hypnotise, but that I would not have otherwise considered. hypnosis is all about the fun, the not everyone Trevor is saying that stage hypnotism is an act entertainment, and that the main skills that once learned can be used, just like with a required are presentational not scientific. I can hold an magic act, more or less in the same way and wondered therefore whether the training format at lots of different venues. The people required would be radically different if you audience’s may be different, but the process will remain were using hypnosis for medical purposes? attention...” pretty much the same. When used medically, Here’s Trevor’s view: hypnotherapists come across a wide range of Kev Bee different conditions which may require a “The skills to do stage hypnosis can be learned wider knowledge and so the way the very quickly on a two or three day course. It treatment is administered could well be takes a little while to build competence, but slightly different every time. HYPNOTISM

The main issue I see with stage hypnosis is that it makes hypnosis look like mind control, which it’s not. Mind control is just an illusion in a stage quickly though. Watching the reactions of One reason why some people are reluctant show.” the people on stage you can tell the depth of to come up on stage is that they have a fear hypnotic state almost immediately.” that they will suffer after effects of being part Trevor Hoskisson of the show. I wondered whether Kev ever This seems to me to be the key differentiation. had potential bookers who expressed any The hypnotherapist may need to induce a far concern about the hypnosis used and if so deeper trance in order to effectively achieve how he reassured them? the required outcomes, whereas the stage Does this mean then that someone like Trevor hypnotist has limited time to get things rolling. “I think you have to be honest. People will couldn’t use his hypnosis training for I asked Kev what the process is for selecting always ask the “is it dangerous” question or entertainment purposes? helpers on stage and he explained how he tell you about a horror story, but their main goes about it in his show. concerns when booking are about “I have mixed views about hypnosis being nudity/offensiveness. I always answer their used for entertainment. If I was to do hypnosis 1. He walks out into the audience and tries to questions openly and honestly. I point to the for entertainment I would be struck off the identify the curious but slightly reluctant fact I am fully insured, that my show is family professional bodies I belong to. I do use ones. He is looking for those he hopes to orientated and suggest they look on YouTube hypnosis and hypnotic phenomena to be able to set up a rapport with. Anyone as I think YouTube gives a good measure of demonstrate the power of hypnosis, and who shows any firm signs of not wanting what kind of show I do.” whilst some people might think this is to be selected he leaves in the audience. entertainment, it is actually education, and Does Trevor think there are any potential there is a difference.” 2. Once he has a selection of people up on dangers with stage hypnotism looked at from stage he goes through a series of ‘tests’ a more medical standpoint? I wondered what differences Kev perceived in order to weed out those who are between the two types of hypnotism. Here’s simply looking to hijack the show and “The main issue I see with stage hypnosis is his take on it: attempt to make him look foolish. that it makes hypnosis look like mind control, 3. He needs to try and ensure that none of which it’s not. Mind control is just an illusion “Stage Hypnosis is much more rapid and I the helpers is likely to suffer any sort of in a stage show. The way that all hypnosis don’t think the induction is as extensive. bad reaction to helping on stage. He works is that it makes whatever you want to You’re inducting people very quickly, doesn’t mind people being a bit of a do almost effortless. A good stage hypnotist whereas with hypnotherapy, you can spend challenge, but he doesn’t want to have will demonstrate hypnotic phenomena, like time working on the progressive induction anyone up there who is likely to have a name amnesia, number amnesia, catalepsy and relaxation and therefore induce a deeper panic attack or some other form of and negative and positive hallucinations as state. I think stage hypnosis filters out very adverse reaction. well as sticking people’s hands to tables or HYPNOTISM

When doing shows, have an idea of what you’re worth. We have rubbish hypnotists RESOURCES cheapening the art by doing shows for less then 100 pounds.”

their feet to the floor. This is all good stuff. good to the industry. It shows my trainer is The good thing about stage shows is that the passionate about protecting his own craft but whole world, just about, knows that hypnosis willing to share with people who he has is a powerful tool for facilitating change, the considered carefully, not just to line his bad thing is that they have the misconception pockets. Look for the same when shopping that it is mind control.” around.

Derren Brown’s TV shows certainly appear to Tip 2: When doing shows, have an idea of show him using almost instant trance what you’re worth. We have rubbish inducing effects on volunteers, who he then hypnotists cheapening the art by doing proceeds to apparently control to do all shows for less then 100 pounds. I know of manner of outrageous and out of character one who was doing it for expenses only!!!!! things. He likes to imply that he is using mind control to achieve these aims, and so it is little Tip 3: Create your hype, but don’t believe The best book for wonder that the lay public thinks that it! The industry is flooded with 2nd rate learning the tricks of the hypnotists are looking to create a situation in hypnotists at the moment. They offer no real trade is Ormond McGill’s their volunteers which enables them to entertainment value, they can talk the talk, manipulate them. But both Kev and Trevor but walk the walk very badly. Take time to Encyclopaedia of Stage stressed that it is not possible to hypnotise create a look and feel, but don’t just become Hypnosis. If you prefer someone who genuinely does not wish to be another pub hypnotist in jeans and t-shirt. learning from DVD, placed in that state. Even if you could However, don’t let your ego run away with momentarily hypnotise them, it would not you. None of us are in McKenna’s shoes etc, Trevor recommends Igor last very long. And that is why stage and it will be a long time until a UK hypnotist Ledochowski’s stage hypnotists use the on-stage sifting process in has that kind of run in the country again. hypnotism course which order to flush out those who simply are not going to enjoy getting involved. The key messages here for all wannabe is available on DVD, hypnotists seem to be - get proper training, while Kev says that while So if someone would like to become a stage learn how to be a good on stage entertainer, he can’t recommend any hypnotist, what advice would Kev like to pass treat your volunteers with respect and avoid one title specifically, on to them? He offers 3 main tips. making them do unpleasant things that are designed purely for a cheap laugh. And dealers such as Alakazam Tip 1: Shop around but avoid, at all costs, remember, there are no lasting symptoms and Magic Box both training for a couple of hundred pounds. You from being involved in a hypnotist’s show, or stock some good quality have to ask why someone would sell their as Trevor rather aptly puts it, “There are techniques for that much as the market is absolutely no after effects apart from suitable titles and saturated anyway, so cheap training and occasionally some slight embarrassment.” therefore he DVD courses I would avoid. I would be For more help, advice and guidance you can recommends you contact looking to be trained for a good few look to join FESH (Federation of Ethical thousand pounds and not someone who Stage Hypnotists), because although either/both of them to trains all of the time. My trainer told me the hypnotism is not currently regulated, FESH see what is currently only reason he agreed to train me was is the only organisation which is recognised available. because he knew I would bring something by local councils etc.

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S.A.M.P.A. DOES THE TRICK!

L to R: David Adamovich (AKA The Great Throwdini), Jordan Linker, Tom Klem, Allan Rubinstein, Richie Magic

agicseen recently spoke to Adelaide Herrmann, two of the greatest magic In October 2011 Richie attended a board record breaker Richie Magic legends of all time. Although the visit was so meeting as one of the board members of the about a great project meaningful it was at the same time sad as the Society of American Magicians Parent M currently being undertaken gravesite was in bad condition, we felt we Assembly #1 (which he is now proud and by the Society of American Magicians Parent could do something to improve the final privileged to be the President of) and he Assembly. resting place of Alexander Herrmann aka made a motion to start a Gravesite Herrmann the Great and Adelaide Hermann Restoration Committee and do magic Said Richie, “Sometime in the summer of aka The Queen of Magic. After several fundraiser shows to raise money from ticket 2009 my wife Barbara and I started visiting meetings between myself, Barbara and sales in order to have professional gravesites of famous magicians to pay cemetery staff Susan Olsen (cemetery monument companies clean, restore, repair respect to those magic legends of the past historian) and Tara Della Donne (senior client and beautify the magicians’ gravesites that who have made the art of magic what it is service associate) the cemetery made the are in need. “The motion was seconded and today, the art we all love so dearly. We love decision with kindness and a little friendly passed unanimously, yayyyyy !!!!” continued the "Art of Magic" so very much we even persuasion to reset the foot stones and repair Richie, enthusiastically. “I knew it would be legally changed our surnames to Magic. them at no cost. I decided to make it a mission done as a team effort, so I immediately asked to make this happen at other famous magician my dear friend and fellow board member Dr. “Anyway moving along, the following year in gravesites, but I realised if others weren’t as David Adamovich (the Great Throwdini) if the summer of 2010 we visited Woodlawn generous and kind as the staff at Woodlawn he would be willing to co-chair the Cemetery, the gravesite of Alexander and cemetery, then this would be very expensive. committee with me. I knew if he accepted MAGIC HEADLINES 20 MAGIC HEADLINES WE’D LIKE TO SEE IN 2013

he old journalistic attitude that you should never let the truth get in the way of a good story has been applied to the list of T headlines below that we imagine represent a selection of the least likely things to actually happen this year, but which would cause quite a stir if they did! Have a laugh on us...

12. Solicitors for the Ed Marlo estate claim the great man invented D’Lite. 13. The Buck twins announce sponsorship

Photo: Brad Weber Brad Photo: deal with Waddingtons. 14. Abra Magazine to make shock come back. 15. John Archer inconsolable on discovering he has run out of puns. 16. Christian Schenk’s Card Shark in take 1. Stephen Tucker takes brand new kids’ over bid from giant green gecko. show on the road. 17. Practical Magic add the Cremation 2. The Magic Circle surprises a few with Illusion and Cheating The Gallows to its plans to relocate to Skegness. their offerings for children’s the job we could really make things happen. 3. Mel Harvey distraught when Kate entertainers. He did and he's AMAZING! Next we Middleton refuses photo shoot 18. expresses his surprise at selected a committee of about 10 members opportunity with him. not being included in this headline list. and things were so on track !!! On 2/2/12 4. FISM confirms that the next event will 19. 4Fs Convention to become 3Fs due to we did our first magic fundraiser show and take place on Mars. cutbacks. since then have done many others in magic 5. David Blaine accuses of 20. Ian Adair announces the publication of shops throughout the New York and New stealing his performing personality. book number 1,287,493 in his series Jersey areas. 100% of money raised from 6. Magicseen makes surprise bid for Stan on children’s magic. ticket sales goes directly to gravesite Allen’s Magic Magazine. restoration and we have been able to clean, 7. Troublewit is voted best magic effect repair and professionally restore several of the last century. gravesites so far...” 8. Five Of Hearts introduce Tenyo range into their catalogue. Magicseen would like to congratulate the 9. David Copperfield is proud to whole team for their brilliant concept! announce the acceptance of the entire Mark Leveridge Magic range The Gravesite Restoration Committee: into his museum. Pat Colby, Tom Klem, Dr. Bruce Lish, Jordan 10. Shock at discovery that The Twins are Linker, Barbara Magic, Sal Perotta, Allan in fact only one person. Rubinstein, and ‘Dean’ George Schindler. 11. Lance Burton signs for long run on Co-chairs: David Adamovich & Richie Magic. Swanage Pier this summer. ANDY NYMAN ASS KICKER!

It’s been almost eight years e meet about an hour time to really look back on what they’ve since Andy Nyman featured on before Andy has to go to achieved together. “Well, when Derren and I the front cover of Magicseen. W make-up. Andy arrives in a said ‘let’s take a break’ because we didn’t Back then he was enjoying life whirlwind. As always, he’s have the time – and we looked back at our as an actor, and was busy been busy, and his day is far from over. ten years, I did think: ‘bloody hell! That’s an writing and directing – Already today he’s had a production amazing amount of work we’ve done primarily with . meeting with a company who are fans of his together in that amount of time.’” and want to work with him, then he walked So what’s changed over the home – calling in at his publishers to pick up Andy – perhaps the most successful magic past few years? Well, he copies of his latest book, then had a family hobbyist in history - has continued to focus doesn’t look much different, trip out to a matinee performance of a on his ‘career’, which is acting. “The acting really. His trademark retro tash play, and he’s now spending time with has continued to go from strength-to- is still prominent for a start. Magicseen before his nightly performance strength,” he continues, “but then, I have However, this is possibly in of Abigail’s Party. been doing it for 25 years!” place because when we interview Andy, he’s starring in After a three year break, Andy is back As I mentioned in the introduction, at the the stage play of the 1970’s writing with Derren Brown, and directing time of the interview, Andy is starring in the cult TV play Abigail’s Party at the new show ‘Infamous’ which should be West End in Abigail’s Party. “It’s like a the Wyndhams Theatre in open for business as you read this. “It’s been dream. It IS a dream!” he says ’s West End. It’s a tale difficult trying to find a window when we are enthusiastically. “I have to pinch myself both available, as we both have such busy every day! The difficulty is not learning the of social angst in middle-class schedules - as usual we started with a blank lines, but making it appear like the words suburbia. A painful, comedic page and tried to fill it with new exciting have never been said before, every night.” tale involving marital- ideas, always a challenge,” says Andy, who He must have done a good job, as he has shennanigans, awkward looks, adds that they had around three weeks to since been nominated for the ‘What’s on and shagpile carpets. Graham write a brand new show, and three weeks to Stage Awards’ Best Supporting Actor Hey asks the questions. get it ready to perform. I ask if he’s ever got Award. ANDY NYMAN

ANDY NYMAN

The critics too have given the production the thumbs up, and I ask him about the pressures involved. “The pressure is part of the joy of it! The highs and lows go hand in hand – in fact that’s part of the attraction. It’s Photo: Catherine Ashmore Catherine Photo: just not a mundane existence!” I ask if he ever misses great opportunities when he commits to a theatre run? “Yes, you can miss some great opportunities, but most of the time, you don’t actually know it! But, I guess that we all make choices about what we do – as opposed to thinking ‘what if…’” However, it’s also the case that a theatre production in the West End is a showcase, which Andy explains. “I’ve just been offered a project, and the people had seen me before – and they came to see me in Abigail’s Party, so A scene from Abigail’s Party. one thing often leads to another.”

As an experienced director himself, I wonder if Andy ever has to ‘bite his tongue’ “It’s an ongoing process for me – learning to when he’s being directed by others? “Yes,” he says thoughtfully, “there are times… but I shut up! I do so many things – writing, try to work with really good people. I am a directing, the magic – that it’s very hard bit of a control freak, but on Abigail’s Party the director is absolutely brilliant, so I’ve sometimes to kill those voices in your head never, ever thought ‘why are they doing that?!’ It’s just been brilliant. It’s an ongoing that are telling you to leap in and solve the process for me – learning to shut up! I do so problem.” many things – writing, directing, the magic – that it’s very hard sometimes to kill those voices in your head that are telling you to leap in and solve the problem.” because sometimes when you’re arguing it arranging walks around haunted houses, but through, you find out what you really it was to be another ten years before the How much does your agent influence the believe.” idea for Ghost Stories was born. Each began roles or projects that you do? “Well, this is a reading suitable material and watching good example. Abigail’s Party was offered to One of the best ways to ensure you get the unsuitable films. The show originally opened me and I didn’t want to do it, even though it part you want, is to write the part yourself ( if at the Liverpool Playhouse. had a brilliant director who had offered me you have the talent, of course ) – and one of certain things in the past, but had never the major projects of Andy’s recent past is “We had no idea whether there’d be an worked out as the timing wasn’t right. I had ‘Ghost Stories’ – a play he wrote with Jeremy appetite for it,” Jeremy told the Daily Mail at certain feelings about the play which were Dyson. “We wrote and directed it – and I the time. “But when we heard the first based on what I could remember from the starred in it for almost two years,” says Andy. scream, we knew we were in business.” It telly version. My agent said: ‘You really need “Jeremy is my oldest pal – and he was the sounds like a PR stunt, but people really to re-think and read it, and I recommend you best man at my wedding!” The play ran for were scared - even the St. John’s do this!’ And he was right, it’s a brilliant over 500 performances at The Duke of Ambulance brigade had to attend to thing to do and I’ve loved it. But that’s what I York’s theatre in the West End and has since ‘severely frightened members’ of the want from my agent because that’s why I been staged successfully overseas in audience! pay them - you don’t pay 12% of your Toronto, and is currently running in Moscow. income just to do the legal stuff. I want Back in 1998, Andy invited Jeremy to a mock Hard-to-please Daily Mail theatre critic managing, I want advice, and I want seance in the old underground prison in Quentin Lett’s verdict was: ‘My heart was someone to say ‘You should really do this!’ London’s Clerkenwell. The two spoke about drumming away like Ringo Starr. This pant- ANDY NYMAN

Andy as .

wetter of a night is a must for masochists. try and break the gang. It’s quite an honour Anyone with a dicky heart should avoid it!’ to play that role.”

Though working in the theatre is a unique We chat about books, and I mention that his environment, Andy says that it is on a film last ‘magic’ book ‘Bulletproof’ was so good set where he feels really at home. “It’s an that it sits on the shelf in the Magicseen unbelievably amazing and exciting place to office, still wrapped in its protective bubble- be”. Since the original interview Andy has wrap – like some sort of priceless religious finished work on a couple of high profile artifact! “Todd did a great job on that book! I projects – one being cast in the much- want everything I do to be as good as anticipated ‘Kick Ass 2’. Says Andy, “I play possible,” says Andy who is frequently one of the new baddies ‘The Tumor’. I filmed saying hello to people who enter the busy in Toronto and at Pinewood Studios, it was restaurant, just a stone’s throw from the amazing to work on something of that scale. theatre. “I don’t know if I’ll ever do another Also working with Jim Carrey for a day was a book – so I thought ‘this has to be unique’ ‘pinch yourself’ moment!” Andy’s other and as wonderful as it cold possibly be – a recent project is a BBC period drama called standard that makes me proud.” Bulletproof ‘Peaky Blinders’. “It’s a true story set in 1919 is the last magic book Andy produced, but about a group of Gypsy gangsters who steal his latest offering has proved to be a massive guns from the government. I play Winston success both in the UK and USA. ‘The Churchill who brought the police force in to Golden Rules of Acting (that nobody ever ANDY NYMAN

“I love to create something new – it’s very exciting to have an idea and then see it become a reality.”

tells you)’ has proved to be the publisher’s (NHB) biggest selling title ever. Says Andy, “It has been a big hit not only with actors, Andy with Sam Neill on the set of Peaky Blinders. but all types of performers and freelancers.” The book contains wisdom, advice, quotes and much more. “It’s about life, really,” he adds.

With movies, writing and directing all taking his time, I ask if he’ll ever find enough time to work on any new magic releases? “Well. I released ‘Insane’ with Theory11, and now I’m working on another effect. I just need to knuckle down and get on with it. I love to create something new – it’s very exciting to have an idea and then see it become a reality. I need to make a prototype for my idea, and then I’ll go to one of the dealers I like. I generally work with Alakazam, who are always great, but I worked with Theory11 last time, as I also like to work with different people. I love their website, and it’s always interesting to see how people go about things differently. I might at some point bring out a DVD which features some of the material from Bulletproof so that a wider audience can get to see it.” I ask him how long it is since he actually performed magic? “Hmm, it has to be 7…8… no, er…9. No – it’s probably 10 years! I still have my ‘kids party’, my flea circus – all the stuff I love… my . It’s all there, ready to go. I love it!”

Bristol Society of Magic is proud to present the BRISTOL 53rd DAY OF

Sunday 12th May 2013 Winter Gardens & Playhouse Theatre Weston-Super-Mare The largest one day convention in the UK Starring +Joshua Jay (USA)+Eric Roumestan (France) +Vittorio Belloni (Italy)+ Soma (Hungary) Gala show Close-up shows Lectures also featuring Eric Roumestan, Max Somerset, Arthur Benjamin, Celtic Storm, Jimmy Carlo, Colin McLoud, Oliver Tabor, Scott Wells and The Bellini Girls massive dealers exhibition Registration forms downloadable from www.bristoldayofmagic.co.uk or Andy Mac (0117 942 2449) 8 Nottingham Road Bishopston Bristol BS7 9DH lybrary.com THE LEADER IN MAGIC DOWNLOAD

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★ - poor. ★★ - OK, but could be better. ★★★ - reasonable middle of the road value. ★★★★ - good product. REVIEWS ★★★★★ - outstanding/exceptional.

“Predict what card a spectator makes it all seem almost This idea is practical for the will choose from a borrowed, impossible. most part, and experienced shuffled deck...openly.” card workers will I’m sure take The 6 effects performed and the principle and find other “Cause someone to stop explained on the DVD allow amazing things to do with it. dealing, at their card...from a you to - openly riffle through a The methods used in the borrowed, shuffled deck.” deck for a peeked card various routines are selection, hand the deck straightforward, although a little Too good to be true? No, these immediately for shuffling and spectator management is are exactly what you can do then instantly take back the required to make sure using a variation of an old yet deck and deal down to the everything turns out properly. tried and tested principle which selected card. Or to split the Certainly I can envisage some DVS Mark has updated and refined deck into three piles, get a commercial performing Mark Calabrese for modern day use. spectator to look at any card situations where you might Available from: while the performer looks away have to take extra care, but any www.funinc.com Everything is basically made and to shuffle that pile and even confident performer should be Price: $24.99 (approx.£15.00) possible by the use of a ‘special change the order of the piles on able to work this almost DVS (DeViouS - geddit?) is a something’ which Mark has the table, yet the magician not anywhere. ML DVD which features the strong designed and which is supplied only knows which pile the card card magic of Mark Calabrese. along with the DVD. This is not is in but can tell how many What’s Hot: loads of potential To read a description of some of a special gimmicked card but cards from the top the selection for the principle, allows for the effects offered on the DVD something else which is why it is positioned. Or yet again have some unfathomable magic you might wonder how truthful can be used with any borrowed a spectator name any card at What’s Not: might want to be they are...here are some deck. The effects that this random, then take the deck selective about where and examples. ‘special something’ make below the table and reverse one when you give some of the possible are very strong, and card in it sight unseen, and that effects a try “Locate a freely chosen card with a lot of the magic the reversed card turns out to be ★★★★ from a borrowed , shuffled magician hardly appears to the one he just named. Strong deck...blindfolded” handle the cards at all, which stuff.

confirm it is indeed red backed, principle to the corners and omit opposite sequence – the also that it has been misprinted the rough and smooth then you largely regular red deck is with blank faces. It is then are close to the method used transformed into the highly shaken and riffled to show the here. Riffling from the corner is gaffed subset of blue. An faces are now printed and a trickier than from the short edge experienced user could moment later that the backs are and the lack of roughing detracts reverse and re-sequence now blue. from a clean handling. things, but that would not be If a spectator is familiar with a a good use of time. CP THE EVOLUTION Svengali deck they are unlikely Arguably a strength of this DECK to be impressed with this trick, version could be that two thirds What’s Hot: The cards are Bob Solari particularly as the pack cannot of the pack are normal red well engineered. Plot has Available from: be examined. backed playing cards and so some logic. www.bobsolarimagic.com with a little routining you could What’s Not: Method and Price $24.95 40 years ago I owned a Nudist follow on with a small packet effect weaker than the (approx. £15.00) deck which combined rough trick while the rest of the pack is Nudist Deck. A red backed deck is removed and smooth and the Trilby deck switched. Inexplicably the trick ★ from a blue case and riffled to principles. If you move the Trilby is presented in the completely expect from this E-Book. He This E-Book is a wonderful fooled by the appearance of one says, "Coins are a difficult collection of material for those of the balls back on top of one of material to work on" and the who have the skills to perform the cups. at its best. techniques that he explains are the necessary techniques, and not easy. However, the routines as such I would suggest is a The DVD kicks off with various that they make possible are relatively niche publication. If performances of the routine in visually stunning and create the thought of edge gripping different settings. There’s on effects that are breathtaking coins, and doing multiple stage at the Magic Castle, in a magical, so I would say that they palms is worrying, leave this restaurant setting and one just are definitely worth the effort. alone. If not, you might find for the camera. much to enjoy and play with Radek starts with describing half here. ML All that’s needed to perform this EASTERN a dozen moves which you are are three coins, a salt shaker MOVES going to need to perform his What's Hot: beautiful visual (supplied), a small napkin and Radek Makar routines. You really need to get when in the right something to use as a wand. Available from: to grips with these if you don't hands Giovanni uses a butter knife. www.lybrary.com know them already if you aspire What's Not: technically Price: S25.00 to performing his magic. One of difficult to master Everything you need to know to (approx.£15.00) these moves (the Roll and Slide ★★★★ perform the routine is explained Radek Makar is a close up Vanish) you will find in the in great detail and as Giovanni is performer who lives in Masterclass in this issue, and this left handed there is also an option Aberdeen and who is creating was probably the simplest of his to flip the screen so it’s easier for quite a reputation for himself techniques. However, these are right handed people to follow. due to the quality of his coin not the only moves you will This is not a routine that you will work. This E-Book collects need, so be aware that if you are be performing straight away, but together a selection of his coin a novice at this, you are going to with enough practice you will moves and routines and it is have a hugely steep learning have something quite special in perfect material for anyone curve, especially since not every your arsenal. who is into move is described in detail in the SALT & SILVER money magic. body of the text. Giovanni Livera My only negative really is that the Available from your local dealer shaker supplied is probably not The E-Book runs to just over The routines are multi-phased Price: £39.99 the kind you would find in most 40 pages and has a lot of clear and complex to execute. They Let me first start by saying that I UK restaurants. However, you black and white photos to are also usually very angly. For hadn’t really seen or heard much could perform the routine with help with the explanations. this reason, most of the effects of Giovanni Livera until I popped another shaker if it was suitable. This is a good thing because can only be used when you have this DVD into the computer. But, although Radek does a tight control over the viewing after watching just a couple of If you are looking for a masterclass reasonable job of trying to angles of your audience, minutes of the DVD, I could tell in timing and misdirection, then explain in print the subtleties something which commercial that he is a fantastic magician. Salt & Silver is for you. Highly of his handlings, the task is not performers do not usually have recommended. PS easy and without the photos a the luxury of. The plots are the The effect is quite simple. Coins, lot of the finer points would be perhaps expected variations of appear, disappear and reappear What's Hot: Magical timing missed. appearances, disappearances, under and on top of a simple salt and misdirection at its best. transpositions and penetrations, shaker. When I first watched the What's Not: Style of shaker The opening sentence in along with Radek's take on DVD I was reminded of the first might not be suitable in the UK(?) Radek's Foreword pretty classic plots such as Spellbound time I saw Michael Ammar’s ★★★★ much sums up what you can and Coins Across. Cups and Balls routine. Being

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With countless TV appearances, successful tours, books and satisfied corporate clients all over the world, Paul Zenon has nothing to prove. He prefers not to watch much magic, refuses to do lectures and doesn’t perform at magic conventions. "I went to the recent Blackpool convention but stayed mainly in the bar. I didn’t see any of the shows because I’m not interested in anything that involves silk flowers."

Graham Hey sets off to meet him. fascination with all things carnival, and particularly likes "pickled objects" ( I presume he’s not talking about his friends!). The bar has no mirrors, no clocks and no windows – just like the casinos in Vegas, and he owns a stuffed stoat, dressed as a waiter. The man’s class! According to Paul and local gossip, the best night out to be had in Brighton, is in his own garage. "Normally, the night involves guns or animal traps at some stage" he says matter-of-factly. The scary thing is, I know he’s not kidding. It is just one of a catalogue of happenings and misdemeanours that regularly take place in the Zenon household. It’s magic, but not as we know it! " I recently had a nasty incident with Sambuka" he continues enthusiastically, "It took ages for it to light, all the glasses got really hot and everyone got burnt. All you could hear was synchronised shouting and screaming!" With countless TV appearances and magic specials under his belt, Paul Zenon is firmly established at the forefront of British magic, but even though he’s made around 20 television appearances in the past year alone, people still think that if he’s not on the box every night, he’s not busy. TV viewing figures are on the wane these days, not just because people are watching less television, but because the figures are diluted by the ever- increasing number of channels. On inspection, the last twelve months have probably been the busiest of his career. "90% of my work is actually corporate and I’ve racked up around 60 flights over the last year working everywhere from Dubai to Hong Kong. It’s amazing, sometimes I find myself sitting in Today I am in Brighton, on the South coast of The owner of ‘More’ informs me that Paul Business Class on my way to some exotic England to interview the wide-boy of British Zenon is a regular and is a "very nice fella." And destination where I'ill be staying in a luxury magic Paul Zenon. It’s 10.45 on a lovely as he leans forward to hand me a superb five star hotel. I’ll be paid a large amount of Saturday morning, and by the time I get to mocha, he also whispers, "Is he any good?" money for doing half an hour, and they'll ‘More’, a trendy café & restaurant on Trafalgar When Paul arrives, he is still shaking off actually say ‘thankyou’! It feels a bit like being street in the hippest part of town, I’ve already the effects of a late night at ‘The Fool & a hired assassin sometimes!" For Paul, magic bought three things I didn’t realise I needed. I Bladder’, Paul’s very own exclusive club is a means-to-an-end. It provides him with a can’t wait to get home and un-pack my retro situated in his converted garage at the base good quality of life, enables him to travel tin robot, my 3D glow-in-the-dark picture of of his four-story townhouse. widely and most importantly, "It means that I Jesus and my 11/2" inch ornamental plastic "Not long ago, I went to a nightclub but don’t have to get up before lunchtime." pygmy. That’s the sort of place Brighton is - they refused to let me in – because I was too TV has given him a high profile in the UK and I think I like it! old!" says Paul, "So I decided to open my and other English-speaking countries, but own. About once a week I invite my mates fame doesn’t necessarily mean ‘money’, as round after last orders at the pub." Paul he has found when working for several TV obviously likes a drink or two, and socialises production companies. Says Paul: "Over the regularly with several comedian friends. "On past fifteen years, I’ve made the most money the road where I live, there are four when I wasn’t actually on TV. I would say that comedians and the guy who plays ‘Tinkie performers are not generally well paid within Winkie’ in the Teletubbies. It’s a sitcom TV these days. The production companies waiting to happen!" make money, but performers are so eager for Paul’s house has a garage at the base, that companies know they don’t which is now his private bar, plus three other have to offer fantastic deals to get them." levels. His bedroom is painted black & red With constant demands on budgets, which he describes as, "like a Victorian production standards are acknowledged to knocking shop." He has always had a have suffered within the television industry The Fool and Bladder.

40 magicseen Issue No.2 May 2005 www.magicseen.co.uk and Paul admits that he has lost some of his former enthusiasm. "I’d say that over the past five years or so, I’ve definitely become a bit jaded with TV. It's a shame because I found it truly inspirational as a kid but sadly, once you realise what is actually happening behind the scenes, you realise why there's so much mindless crap on screen. I’ve had many projects scuppered because of internal politics and ineptitude and lost count of the number of ideas that have been nicked. It all gets a bit wearing after a while and you realise that there's better ways to spend your time and energy. It's a pity that the public still look at TV as a barometer of a performers talent - in many people's eyes, if you're not on TV then you can't be very good at what you do." Mixing both socially and on the ‘circuit’ with his comedian friends, it seems a logical Brighton. Cracking! step for him to move into more comedy- based projects, and he is currently recording what is known as a ‘broadcastable pilot’ for one of the terrestrial channels. This project is mainly comedy and even though he has high hopes for the series, "Until it’s actually on," he says, "you don't hold your breath!" But there are more pressing matters than the state and honesty of the television industry; Paul is about to fly out to Australia for just over a month where he will be appearing nightly at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. "I’m in a bit of a dilemma about which material to use because of new reduced airline weight allowances." He says, sinking back in to his leather sofa. "The whole airport situation, security checks in particular make me increasingly frustrated – I suppose it’s middle- age intolerance; I expected to mellow a bit as I got older but it's been exactly the opposite." At least his frustrations have been the inspiration for new material recently, and he has become addicted to stealing the trays you deposit your keys and pocket items in before they are scanned. "I spend a lot of time in airports, and I find the lack of logic in the security checks annoying. You can take a disposable razor in your hand baggage but not a pair of nail clippers - I'd actually volunteer to ‘I went to the recent Blackpool convention but be on the flight that someone tried to hijack using a pair of nail clippers! And on some stayed mainly in the bar. I didn’t see any of the flights you're given a metal fork with your meal but a plastic knife; it's the word 'knife' rather shows because I’m not interested in anything than the actual comparitive danger of the objects that they're addressing. The only way that involves silk flowers.’ you can make any sort of point is by dicking them around a little!" Paul has been out to Australia once before, around five years ago and a few of the tour, with thousands of screaming fans all His Melbourne stint gives him a lot of TV specials have been aired there. I put it to chanting his name at the airport. "Yeah, I time off, as he is only on stage at 9.45pm him that when he arrives in Australia it will be imagine it will be just like that!" he says. "I’ll be each night to perform a one hour show. "The just like when Abba arrived on their famous wearing the white flared jumpsuit just in case!" show will be a sort of ‘greatest hits’ show, as

magicseen Issue No.2 May 2005 41 ‘because I’m doing the same act every night, there is basically no setting-up required which will leave even more time for socialising and having a drink!’

the audience, if they've seen me at all, will transportation for it and you spend all day probably only have seen me doing my street doing sound and light checks. Doing that for magic stuff. It's a good chance to work in two months at a time doesn’t really appeal." some new stuff too though, and because I’m For Paul, the corporate route presents doing pretty much the same show every night, less pressure as the audience haven't come in the same venue, there's minimal setting-up specifically to see him and so have no real required which leaves even more time for expectations. Real pressure, he says, "Is in a ‘If you start socialising and having a few drinks." theatre where people are paying to see In Melbourne, his act will feature more someone they already know and like." doing other ‘conman’ type routines with watches, As another coffee arrives, Paul says that jewellery, cash and other everyday objects. long term he is considering doing a live tour people’s gags Just over four weeks in one venue is ideal of sorts, but that it will be comedy-based. for the man who has no plans to tour again He is writing a show with his friend Guy in the near future. "With touring, it's a lot of Venables, whose claim-to-fame is that he on that circuit, effort for what you get out of it. Obviously it's once went skinny-dipping in the Brighton not just about the money but I can earn five Sea Life Centre as a publicity stunt causing you soon get times more playing a half-hour corporate gig a shark to have a heart attack! As I take in a five star hotel, - or I can play a tatty another sip of my drink, I realise that they flattened!’ theatre in Rhyll! If you’re touring you need a are pretty well matched. road manager, a load of equipment and

42 magicseen Issue No.2 May 2005 www.magicseen.co.uk ZENON ON...

HIS EARLY DAYS it’s still stayed fresh and the comedians are THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN When I started out, I worked in a magic doing their own original material is really U.S. AND UK MAGICIANS shop in Blackpool from when I was about 10 healthy. If you start doing other people’s I think that the U.S. years old until I was 18, in the school gags on that circuit, you soon get flattened! magicians are definitely holidays, and I was doing odd shows in I’ve spoken to a few ageing magicians, and more career-minded, hotels and guest houses. When I was 19 I they’ve got no respect for that scene and very disciplined. I went off and became a street performer, because they think the material is all about was at the Montreal doing six months around the Greek Islands. swearing and politics. They even seem to Festival, and all the Brits When I came back from that I got a summer think it's a crime that the perormers wear were standing around season in Jersey in the Channel Islands. jeans or T-shirts on stage! From my point of getting drunk, while the guys That was weird, because I was basically view, I’ve got a lot more respect for those from the U.S. were chasing agents and doing shows for pensioners. We used to call comedians because they're doing their own making contacts. it ‘Club 80 to Dead'! It was an interesting original material rather period because I’d do summer seasons and than trotting out the then come back and do the Comedy Store in same old stock in HIS EARLY TV CAREER London, so it couldn’t really have been more trade lines - "Hold Between 1990 and 1993 I did varied. I also did a lot of military gigs which your hand out...no two series of ‘Tricky Business’, tended to be quite hardcore. My work has the clean one", et which was a comedy-drama always tended to be a mix of what used to cetera. And the set in a magic shop, with be called ‘alternative’ and the old-school material is not always David Wood. The second style. I've always tried to adapt to the work blue, far from it. Harry Hill is a perfect series on BBC1 was with available at any one time - some performers example of that – he never swears and his Bernie Clifton. There were create a unique style and let the audience audience ranges from grannies to young four actors, plus me. The come to them – people such as Harry Hill or kids; the style is rooted in and yet great thing was that we shot Eddie Izzard - but I’ve almost gone the it's fresh and original. A lot of people who all the scenes with adults first, opposite route and seen what the like to knock the Comedy Clubs have, then the kids only came in at marketplace is and then adapted to it. The perhaps predictably, never even been to one. the end, so I hardly had to do mainstream summer seasons were not my anything with them! bag, as the audiences tended to be older MY LAST GOOD NIGHT OUT I also did a series called ‘Tricks and and very traditional but on the other side of A friend did a Clash Tribute night at my local Tracks’ with Sally Grey. This was a series with things, the Comedy Clubs didn't and still pub, The Prince Albert robots and magic! I also did regular guest don’t pay very well, plus the audiences can spots on ‘What’s Up, Doc?’ a children’s be quite aggressive; I remember Jasper show on ITV every Saturday morning. Carrot saying to me ten years ago that MY LAST MEMORABLE GIG! someone had said to him when he was It was a couple of young that comedy was a young man's weeks ago at The BIG STUNTS game. He said that at the Hexagon in My idea of a big stunt is the ultimate lock in! time he had disagreed Reading, it was a but that he had come fundraiser organised to realise that it was by comedy juggler THE COOLEST THINGS I OWN true, and I agree. If Steve Rawlins. He’s 1. A jar of pickled snakes. you’ve been on stage a mate of mine and he does this once-a-year 2. A stuffed stoat, dressed as a at the Comedy Store at comedy night. The line-up was fantastic; waiter (This is probably the 2.30 in the morning, you there was Al Murray, Adam Bloom, Simon only thing I have in common realise that it’s only something you want to Evans, Bill Bailey, Tim Vine, Milton Jones, with Derren Brown!) do a limited number of times, really. Just Eddie Izzard, myself and a couple of others. 3. A little porcelain figure of because you can go thirteen rounds with It was one of those gigs where none of us Chan & Eng, the famous Mike Tyson, it doesn't mean that you want to argued about where we were on , Siamese twins. do it every night! because everyone was scared stiff about 4. A collection of Giants’ rings. In following anybody else because it was such a fairgrounds, they used to have COMEDY CLUBS brilliant line up. I’d go as far as to say it was Giants, and they would sell their The British Comedy Club circuit is very one of the strongest line ups on any comedy finger rings. healthy, with probably 60 or 70 clubs going stage ever, and it was a storming night. 5. A bottle of rice wine full of lizards. in London alone. Considering that the circuit Contrast that with the average Royal Variety 6. A stuffed mythical Jackalope head. got established in the late 70s, the fact that show, and there’s no comparison! (Don’t ask!)

magicseen Issue No.2 May 2005 43 How do you think you are viewed in the UK magic world? You could probably answer that better than me! It’s an interesting one actually, because I don’t do magic conventions, most people only know me from what they’ve seen on TV and that sort of stuff is very different to the sort of thing I do live. You get that inevitable comparison with David Blaine because people have mainly seen me doing , but the live act is a lot more stand-up based. What I tried to do with the TV stuff is to move it away from the Blaine thing style-wise by bringing it down to earth and adding some grounded British-style humour. So, because I do shows for the public rather than magicians, I don't think that I'm viewed as part of the 'scene'.

Do you think there needs to be more sex in magic? Absolutely. That’s why I got into it in the first place! For whatever reasons, there aren't many female magicians, which is a bit sad, and so because it’s male-dominated, you tend to get that geeky aspect associated with it. Over the last few years magic has got slightly 'cooler', but I still wouldn’t describe it as sexy. Magic has been dragged kicking and screaming into the 1980s – but not quite into 2005! I do think that there a lot more younger people working professionally in magic now as a result of the 'street magic' genre, but unfortunately I think that a lot of them are still concentrating on technique rather than presentation, a hell of a lot of magicians seem to want to impress themselves and their peers rather than the punters! And, if you were to ask a cartoonist to draw a magician, you’d still get a guy with a bow tie and a top hat pulling a rabbit out of a hat at a kids party, so I don’t think that people’s preconceptions about magicians PAUL have changed that much. So to answer your question; I think there should be more sex involved, definitely. And with me specifically! I once did an interview with The Sun newspaper, and the journalist Gary Bushell ZENON said, "Do you ever get magic groupies?" MAGICSEEN EXCLUSIVE I said, "I wish!" I should have known better - you know how the tabloids twist things - this came out as the headline: 'I’m only on TV so that I can sleep around'!" I suppose the good thing about my image, if I have a specific one, is that if a tabloid journalist saw me coming out of a ‘...when you’re a kid, the best thing in nightclub drunk with two blondes on my arm, the world is probably to be famous. they wouldn't bat an eyelid, whereas if I was a family man with three kids it could be a But once I’ve tasted it a little bit, I don’t problem. It’s quite good to have a reputation where you’re almost expected to actually like it that much.’ be a bit naughty.

44 magicseen Issue No.2 May 2005 www.magicseen.co.uk Your TV specials featured a lot of scenes the-lad type character or benificent conman! chunky book. It’s a hardback and, although it in either pubs, nightclubs or with people In America, even with a northern, working is aimed at the public, it’s quite an advanced coming out of pubs or nightclubs. Is there class accent I can get away with playing a course. It starts off with self-working tricks something you’re trying to tell us? typically English James Bond or David and then works its way up to tricks that I can Originally we pitched the first 'street' show Niven type – they don’t realise that I just about do! around three years before it was made; way sound common! before David Blaine's 'Street Magic'. As is I like going to the States because I’m Did you have to get a stand-in to do the usual with TV, the commissioners didn’t have totally invisible there and so you don't feel at difficult ones? (ha ha!) much foresight so what they did was wait until all self-concious. Here, it’s quite nice because Almost! I’ll tell you what I was worried about. the Blaine show appeared and then said, "Oh, I get recognised quite a bit, but not enough The convention is to write for right-handed is this the sort of thing you were talking that it’s intrusive. It’s the perfect level but magicians, but I’m left-handed, so I played about?" Rather than end up looking like we quite hard to sustain. with the idea of writing it that way, but the were making a copy, at that point I said I only publishers weren’t keen on that, so I ended want to do it if I could make it more British Do you like the fame aspect of being a up writing it for right-handers anyway which and more my own. Initially they were talking well-known magician? was a pain in the arse - just transposing about recording it in London wine bars and The thing is, I don’t actually get-off on being everything from left to right - but doing the having celebrity guests but I was very much recognised. I think that when you’re a kid, you photos was a nightmare. Initially I thought against that - I wanted to go to places like imagine that the best thing in the world would about just flipping all the shots, but of course Glasgow, Blackpool and Dublin where I knew be to be famous. But once I’d had a little you can’t do that with playing cards because that it would be more ‘down and dirty'! I also taste of it, I realised that I didn't actually like it all the numbers end up the wrong way round. knew that British people tend to react better if that much. It can be quite intrusive, with So I ended up having to do 350 photographs there's alcohol involved. Also, the further more cons than pros. I’m actually quite a of right-handed moves which was so weird. It north of Watford you go, the more open private person – I like going to my local pub was like learning from scratch again. people tend to be in terms of reactions. and sitting there on my own in a corner being We actually shot some trial material in miserably invisible! When is it due out? Soho [London] and it was funny because When I was a kid my dad often used to August or September. It’s quite exciting to you’d do a trick and say, "was that your card?" recount how, when he was a teenager finally get a heavy duty hardback book out. and they’d say: "Yes...hmm, that was quite working at the Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, clever I suppose, what’s this for? Channel4? he met Jimmy Jewel [ famous comedian & Do you do any mentalism? Ah yes, I used to work on 4." Everybody actor]. He asked my dad if he’d take his Very occasionally. It’s very difficult because it’s seemed to work in the media, where it’s not grandson on the Big Dipper for him. So my not really my style. It’s strange being deemed cool to actually be impressed or dad escorted him round, Jimmy Jewel said compared to David Blaine and even react to anything. I did some stuff for an awful 'thank you' and gave my dad a half-a-crown sometimes with Derren Brown in that sense - series with Denise Van Outen, called tip. Not the most exciting anecdote in the I can’t think of three people further apart in ‘Something for the Weekend’ and they initially world, but when I started getting recognised, terms of style. I can’t carry off that kind of wanted to record in London but still have a I realised that it was worth being half nice to ‘mystic guru’ persona at all. I do odd mind ‘hen night’ feel to it. I said ‘if you want a hen- people because they're likely to remember it reading-type things, but it’s more comedy- night feel, you’ve got to go to Blackpool!’ We for a long time. And they’ll remember you for a based - I do a version of 'Confabulation', but got a load of people in off the street at about lot longer if you’re a tosser! I think that it’s based around the fact that I get a woman five in the afternoon and gave them a free bar people do want to think that someone who’s up from the audience and quiz her about her for three hours. In the first hour they didn’t on TV is an a@#?hole – I think we all do that. early love life. I like the fact that it’s played for react to anything, then there was a half hour I therefore make a point of trying to be the laughs. I’d much rather do that than have window which was fantastic after they’d other way - if you’re nice to someone, they’ll people walk away thinking I’m some kind of loosened up a bit, and then there were three tell half a dozen people, but if you’re not, second coming, which seems to be what huge punch-ups in the last hour and a half! they’ll tell twenty! some performers seem to aim at. As I said, I It's a tried and tested formula: Blackpool + do a lot of corporate work, and often standing free bar = violence! You’ve been working on a new book, in the bar afterwards, people will refer to me haven’t you? as ‘the comedian’ rather than ‘the magician’, Do you have a profile in the US – and I I’ve just literally finished the new one this and I take that as a compliment. don’t mean with the police! week. It’s called ‘Paul Zenon's Street Magic’. My profile in the US is minimal. The work I’ve It’s a ‘teach-yourself magic’ produced Credits: done there has been either for British hopefully, in a slightly hipper style to the Mocha by companies, or multinationals with a norm, a bit cooler-looking than the average ‘More’, paid percentage of ex-pats. 90% of my work is magic book. There are some great magic for by Paul doing corporate shows, which can be books out there; 'The Royal Road To Card Zenon. Nice anywhere in the world. The only TV I’ve done Magic' and so on, but it terms of the Fella. that I know of in the States was on Comedy illustration and the actual style of it, they look Central. I quite like going over there though pretty dated so we've put a lot of effort into because people don’t have any the photos in this one; there are about 350 preconceptions about you, so you can mess of them which we spent a lot of time doing - around with your character. Over here I we took about 2,000 shots over three days. suppose I’m known, I think, as a bit of a jack- There are 70,000 words too, so it's quite a

magicseen Issue No.2 May 2005 45