people turned up to see his harbour As Aberdeen local stunt and then flocked to see his shows at Magical SocietY the Palace Theatre' prepares to \fhile in Aberdeen, Houdini visited the grave of John Henry Anderson (below) ' celebrate its 90th \ffizard Known professionally as The of the year, member Jeff Burns, North, Anderson was a huge inspiration of Fifth Dimension, looks to Houdini, although they never met, as he died the same year Houdini was born' the North-east's baker George Strathdee; back on Anderson, who was born in the Mearns McBain; master Shivas; John Carroll; long-sta ndin g enchantment and buried in St Nicholas Kirkyard, was accountant Andrew Elrick;\7illiam tricks, credited with bringing magic from the Alexander McGregor; John with tantalising and children's street into theatres and raising the standard Bremner, confectioner stunts and (the original STillie \7onka?); astonishing and interest of magic as a performance entertainer (JS7) $Tarrender incredible ittusions. art. Hugely famous in his time, John ('The GaY Deceiver'), and he even performed for Queen agic is experiencing a wonderful Victoria. optician JA Jenson' renaissance, as new waYs of still During the war Years, illusions Since those daYs, and performing breathtaking fewer times unknown to many living in the AMS met are captivating the hearts and minds of has had lLlrilml than usual, although theY example, North-east, Aberdeen new audiences. In the UK, for on having a thriving magical communitY, rmmfflffiffi]lllffit$ concentrated the runner-up to Britain's GotThkntwas il [q!, ffi&ptltdr' of which belong meetings whenever a visiting who narrowly lost out many members illusionistJamie Raven, "11-i3l!,f,:f9*, magician was 0ul[ llE-1,-u510il111 Performing precious first place to a dog, while in on that !!, lrJ{n tr ltr\hr\ at theTivoli. One such year, magician Mat Franco won zoo,odo lrry stdt*rogtt America last meniorable visitor was of the talent show. the US version The Great LYle, who, during the 1940s, From the 1800s to mid-1940s, magic toured the worid with his full evening show, performed to create wonder and was including such tricks as the Flying Golf mystery and share exotic experiences of Club and the Large Chocolate Box illusion' lands. Many magicians presented faraway Aberdeen magic in the 50s and 60s shows under the theme of Ancient their tended to take place in public shows; then, Egypt or the Far East' in the 1970s, it became more popular at Aberdeen has a long association with children's parties and ciubs. By the 1990s, and illusion, and indeed manY magic magic was entertaining guests at corporate famous magicians have visited the city over events) such as dinners, and at weddings' years, including Geoffrey Durham the With the advent of television, it had become (akaThe Great Soprendo), Houdini, Paul more comedic in nature - almost a fusion of Derren Brown, DYnamo, and Daniels, standup comedy and magic. This changed Piff the Magic Dragon (recent flnalist again in the 1990s and 2000s, as magic in Armerica's Got Talent). Many of these went back to the streets with David Blaine private to Aberdeen Magical Society (AMS)'The magicians have been brought in for Sadly, 17 December and, more recentiy, with Dynamo' however, such as society was founded on corporate events. Some, not keep up with the 1926,its first meeting being held in the many magicians did Daniels and Houdini, did public shows' from the at 25 Belmont Street, dmes and iust as some comics in 1909 and made a Scout Headquarters Houdini visited now regarded with disdain, magic in the city centre. There were 15 founder 1970s are sensational underwater escape at Aberdeen also suffered by not keeping up-to-date' As publicist (remember members, including such names as:\WG Harbour. A master demonstrated, it is a live Craigen;Victor Peacock (Magic Circle vice Houdini so ably the days before Facebook?), he used Scott performance art and therefore it must stay gain valuable free president); renowned architect T death-defying stunts to and the cultures of the accountant and cricketer Alan relevant to the times advertising for his shows.Thousands of Sutherland; g4 LEOPARD MAGAZINE December 2015 /January 2016 T

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