THE MAGIC MAGAZINE FOR MAGICIANS & MENTALISTS

MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE
Issue No. 55 | RRP £5.50 | Vol 10. No.1

AT SEA WITH...
LUCA VOLPE
IN THE TIME TUNNEL
WITH... JEFF HOBSON
PRACTICE & REHEARSAL
AT HOME
WITH...
JOHNNY
THOMPSON

WAYNE
DOBSON
“NOTHING CAN EVER REPLACE THE
ADRENALINE RUSH OF PERFORMING”

REVIEWS | CELEBRITIES | MASTERCLASS | DEALER’S BOOTH | LETTERS | NEWS

 WELCOME...

THE MAGIC MAGAZINE FOR MAGICIANS & MENTALISTS

MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE
Issue No. 55 | RRP £5.50 | Vol 10. No.1

EDITOR’S
LETTER
AT SEA WITH...
LUCA VOLPE
IN THE TIME TUNNEL
WITH... JEFF HOBSON
PRACTICE & REHEARSAL
AT HOME
WITH...
JOHNNY
THOMPSON

WAYNE
DOBSON
W
elcome to the first issue of volume 10, double
figures at last, eh? With a new volume comes
“NOTHING CAN EVER REPLACE THE
ADRENALINE RUSH OF PERFORMING” a slightly different look to Magicseen thanks to
REVIEWS | CELEBRITIES | MASTERCLASS | DEALERS’ BOOTH | LETTERS | NEWS our Design Editor Phil, plus we have a couple of new little
featurettes, thanks to Deputy Editor Graham Hey. So as
you leaf through, look out for the first instalments of Time
MEET THE TEAM... Tunnel, which features on this occasion Jeff Hobson, and
Editor: Mark Leveridge Like A Bat Outta Hell, which debuts with Paul Hallas.
Deputy Editor: Graham Hey
Design Editor: Phil Shaw
With the publication of his new major book, we had to feature
Advertisement Enquiries:
Mark Leveridge one of our favourite ‘sons’ on the cover, and so that is why
[email protected] Wayne Dobson takes pride of place in this issue. Wayne’s new
Website Design: Number 23. book is a major event for him (and for us as publishers!) and we
www.numbertwentythree.co.uk
Circulation: Sarah Logan talk to Wayne about the new opus and other matters besides.
Circulation Assistant: Jessica Culver
Contributors: Jay Fortune, Rav Singh,
Variety is certainly high on the agenda for issue 55. We get a fascinating insight into the magic
Chris Payne, John Derris, Tony Griffith, lives of two Cherokee Indian magicians, Bobby and Jeramy Neugin, we get the first part of a
Marc Paul, Mark Walker detailed look into one of the UK’s favourite performers, John Styles, and Michael Vine spills the
Reviewers: Mark Leveridge, Phil Shaw, beans about the state of magic on TV in Jay Fortune’s latest Secret Agent column.
Paul Preager, Chris Payne, Graham Hey
Magicseen’s management board consists Do you ever practise your magic these days? Chris Payne offers advice and guidance about
of: Graham Hey, Mark Leveridge & Phil
Shaw how to make it both enjoyable and productive. Then Marc Paul spells out some warnings in the
7 Deadly Sins Of Mentalism. Oh and for a bit of a laugh, we give you 12 Magic Lessons to help
General enquiries and comments:
[email protected] you avoid buying tricks that may not live up to expectations.
Thanks to: Wayne Dobson, Luca Volpe,
Bobby & Jeramy Neugin The Masterclass in this issue presents a neat rope knot effect from Tony Griffith and a fascinating
business card idea from John Derris. Then there’s Shed 7, In The Phonebox, live performance
and product reviews, the Dealer’s Booth, letters, news....well, let’s just say that we’ve not spared
SUBSCRIPTIONS the horses in order to pack as much into this issue as we can possibly squeeze in. We like to
USA/Canadian subscriptions (one year) are
available from our Distribution Partner in the think we’ve made a strong start to volume 10, we hope you agree.
States - www.lybrary.com/magicseen. PDF
+ Printed version $29.90, PDF only $22.00.
Subscriptions for all other countries are available Mark Leveridge
from www.magicseen.co.uk, or sending your
details and a cheque payable to ‘Magicseen’
to Magicseen Subscriptions, 13a Lyndhurst
Road, Exeter EX2 4PA, UK. £30.00 for annual
subscriptions, Europe £42.00, worldwide £51.00.

WHAT’S INSIDE
Copyright. The views and opinions expressed
in this magazine are those of the individual
contributors and do not necessarily reflect the
views of the publishers. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited Editor’s Letter 5
without the prior consent of the publishers.
Colour transparencies, manuscripts or discs The Secret Agent - Michael Vine 6
are sent at the owners’ own risk. Neither the Magic Lessons 8
company nor its agents accept any responsibility
for loss or damage. All unsolicited material should In The Phonebox 9
be accompanied by a stamped addressed
envelope. Readers’ Letters 10
In The News 11
The US/Canada version of Masterclass 14
Magicseen Magazine (ISSN 2163- The 7 Deadly Sins of Mentalism 18 Johnny Thompson - Mentoring 40
0550) is published bimonthly
by Lybrary.com, 14 Durham Luca Volpe - Cruise Ships 20 The Dealer’s Booth 44
Str., Somerville, MA 02143. Dealer Shout Outs 24 Smoke & Mirrors Live Review 46
Periodicals postage is paid at Bobby & Jeramy Neugin 26 John Styles 48
Boston, MA. POSTMASTER send Wayne Dobson 30 Product Reviews 52
address changes to Lybrary.com, Practice Makes Perfect? 36 Next Issue 58
14 Durham Street, Somerville,
MA 02143.

ISSUE No. 55 5
 SECRET AGENT

with Derren Brown, has been exciting, and a

privilege, as he is undoubtedly the greatest
magician in the world.

Jay: In your opinion, who is the most

commercial magician working today?
Michael: Certainly Derren has a profile
throughout the world as his television
programmes have sold in almost every
territory. Dynamo is the biggest breakout
magic success that the UK has ever had and
it will be interesting to see if he can replicate
this in other countries.

Jay: So, you’re up out of bed, then what

happens during a typical day in the life of a
personal manager?
Michael: Attending to email, meetings,
email, telephone calls, email and... email! I
also speak with Derren three or four times
a year and have a face-to-face with him
invariably around October 10th.

Jay: Why October 10th?

Michael: With it being the 283rd day of the
year, (284th in leap years - assuming one

MICHAEL
follows the Gregorian calendar), and with
only 82 days remaining until the end of the
year I feel it’s best to get a meeting in before
the year runs out.

VINE
Jay: [Laughs] Who inspired you as a magician?
Michael: Murray, Jean Hugard, Robert
Harbin, Jay Marshall, Pat Page, Keith
Clark, Potassy, Danny Ray, Annemann, Al
Baker and that great showman of a juggler,
Bartschelly.

F
rom being a professional speciality
act, through to managing Derren Jay: What factors determine who you
Brown and co-creating one of choose to manage?
the UK’s most successful television Michael: I have mistakenly followed
production companies, this issue I talk to my passion for talented people and not
personal manager, magician and creative necessarily for those that were commercially
guru Michael Vine. viable but ultimately I favour those that pay
their commission on time.
Jay: In a nutshell, how did you start in the
crazy world of magic? Jay: [Laughs] Too true! What are your views
Michael: My father bought me a David Nixon on the current magic scene?
magic set for my 12th birthday and in 1961 Michael: Magic is certainly very buoyant on
I joined the student section of the London professional years, as through agents I had television and this must represent a beneficial
Society of Magicians. When this folded I always secured my own work, and this gave spin off for those that are not on TV. Whilst
formed, with others, the Society of Young me a good grounding to understand how ‘the the gigging scene isn’t as buoyant as it
Magicians which met in the Conway Hall, Red business’ worked. In 1981 I came off the road was in the 70’s (you could die everywhere
Lion Square. I joined the Magic Circle in 1965. and went into personal management. I was for 50 weeks knowing there was a further
During the 1970’s, with my first wife (she had based in Blackpool and the job was to give 50 weeks work to be had the following
previously been a dancer), I was a comedy my artistes a profile in the market place so that year!) good talent will always create its own
magic and juggling act (Michael Vine & Karen) they became in demand. market. Ultimately originality is the name of
working throughout the UK. the game and it’s not about the tricks but the
Jay: Who is your biggest success? performer.
Jay: Tell us about your transition from Michael: I have been involved with an eclectic
performing magician to manager? Was this a group of performers and I have always been Jay: Do you feel magicians are well placed
conscious choice or did circumstance dictate? attracted to talent and without exception, they in the entertainment market to be considered
Michael: It was a conscious decision to all excited me. Having had a background in for management by agents/personal
use the knowledge I had garnered from my magic and, for the last 14 years, to be involved managers?

6 MSM MAGAZINE
 SECRET AGENT

Michael: My children. But magically: the

adaptation of Tubes Silks and Liquids with
Colour Changing Records culminating with
them being combined into a prediction
achieved by using the late Eric Mason’s Boon!

Jay: What drives you?

Michael: Utility bills.

Jay: [Laughs] As a live performing art where do

you see the future of magic?
Michael: We all thought that in the age of
technology conjuring would take a back seat.
However, the reverse has been the case.
99% of all professional magicians work in the
non-commercial field in that they get paid to
perform but no one pays to see them – the

Magic is certainly very

buoyant on television
and this must represent a
beneficial spin off for those
that are not on TV.
Michael: NO! The model is that the act Jay: How did you become involved in other 1% are ‘bums on seats’ as the public
expects the agent/manager to do all the television? buy tickets in order to see them. Consequently
work and his/her only recompense will be Michael: One of my managed acts, Andrew the future, in terms of earning a living out of
some commission if work is secured. This O’Connor, started to write successful quiz magic, is determined by the profile magic has
is a flawed concept. However, ultimately formats and through this we eventually started (invariably influenced by television) and whether
no performer can capitalise on his career Objective Productions. In 1996 we produced it can maintain a contemporary acceptability by
without representation. our first TV series, The Alphabet Game, for the being in tune with the audiences of the day.
BBC. Since then, the company has gone on
Jay: If you were approaching an agent/ to create an eclectic mix of light entertainment Jay: Where do you see the future of magic on
manager as a magician, what would be programming for many of the UK’s TV channels TV and online?
your strategy? winning a lot of awards along the way. (http:// Michael: We are currently going through a
Michael: Not expect them to get me objectiveproductions.com/) About seven years magic renaissance on TV and long may it
any work. To have them as a ‘buffer’ to ago we sold the company and whilst we are continue. This is also true of magic online.
negotiate on my behalf. To expect them to both still involved with Objective we have Both genres will survive and grow as long
network me in areas I am not able to reach. diversified into other areas of showbusiness as magicians are creative and this applies
and Andrew is now living in LA producing and to tricks but more importantly to the actual
Jay: What are the key ingredients that directing movies. performance.
determine a magician to be considered for
personal management? Jay: How do you create content for television? Jay: Thanks Michael. One final question. Given
Michael: Two criteria: 1. Someone who How do you decide on talent? Does the you’ve already achieved a lot creatively with
earns a lot of money 2. Someone who has concept or the performer come first? magic, what does the future hold for you?
commercial viability and is in it for the long Michael: Knowing the market place is Michael: More of the same as well as
haul. essential. Understanding that what is generally continuing to diversify into other aspects of
seen on TV is the taste of a commissioning the entertainment industry and maintaining the
Jay: Do you have to like the talent in order editor and what stays on TV is the taste of ability to pay my utility bills.
to promote them? the public. The idea comes first followed by
Michael: I have never worked with anyone I fleshing it out into a format. The end product Jay:[Laughs] Thanks Michael.
didn’t like. However, some of them didn’t let may not necessarily demand a star to be
me like them. attached. Passion is an essential ingredient. It’s Jay Fortune ‘The Secret Agent’ © Jay Fortune
important to be able to accept rejection. The 2013. The Secret Agent is also featured on
Jay: What is the most exciting and creative taste of the Broadcaster will dictate the talent McBrideMagic.TV Monday’s 7pm PST. www.
part of your job? What gets you out of bed one pursues. facebook.com/mrjayfortune @mrjayfortune
in the morning? www.jayfortune.co.uk/category/blog/ ‘The
Michael: Seeing talent develop both in their Jay: What is your proudest achievement to Secret Agent’ concept was devised by Jay
skill set and in their profile. And utility bills! date? Fortune and Jeff McBride.

ISSUE No. 55 7
 BUYING MAGIC

Sometimes, when an effect is demoed by a

magic world champion, they tend to make
it look easy – and that’s because they are
actually more talented than us. Be prepared
to put some work in to make the trick look
like the miracle that it undoubtedly is – in the
right hands!

If the promotional material includes the

phrase: ‘a new magic principle’ you are most
likely to be disappointed in most of them. Pat
Page probably invented that f*****g principle!
Read the Magicseen reviews. In our modest
opinion, they are really fair, and we do not
receive bribes, no matter how much Paul
Gordon offers us! OK, that last bit is a joke,
Paul Gordon has never offered us a bribe.
That’s because he’s so tight!

“There’s nothing
more frustrating
than receiving
your trick in the
post, but then you
can’t actually try it
until you’ve gone

MAGIC
out and down to
the shops to spend
another ten quid
on materials!”

LESSONS...
...the 12 Golden Rules you must follow before
Every effect brags that “this is a real worker
that you won’t leave home without!” This
roughly translates to: “It’s an effect that you’ll
probably leave in your drawer until you find
it in ten years time, with the instructions
buying that ‘GREAT’ new effect! missing.”

By Graham Hey If you watch the promotional trailer for a

trick, and the audience reaction is shown

I
f the promotional blurb says: “...this experience if there are any angle issues, or more than the effect, then you will get more
has been a closely guarded secret any suspicious moves that take place making satisfaction going back onto your favourite
for ten years...” you should be a bit the effect potentially unworkable for you... porn channel – where they show you lots of
suspicious. If an effect is THAT good – it technical moves, and there are no fast cuts or
really would have seen the light of day Make sure that if it’s a DVD product, that all frustrating editing! Oh how we can learn from
before now! the gimmicks are either made, or the parts that industry!
are provided. There’s nothing more frustrating
After watching any dodgy online clip of than receiving your trick in the post, but then If the effect involves something that requires
the effect, do one of the following: visit you can’t actually try it until you’ve gone out ‘REFILLS’, then you can pretty much
themagiccafe.com or magicbunny.co.uk or ask and down to the shops to spend another ten guarantee that those lovely refills will be
around your contacts for more comments... quid on materials! Bugger! expensive. If you want to re-mortgage your
the magic chat rooms are really great for info – house, then that’s your business!
as well as being great for people arguing about Always remember that because the quality
things which tend to be pretty meaningless. of videos posted on youtube.com is not If an effect is released that is ‘a new improved
The chat rooms are full of people who are really great, it means that gimmicks are almost version’ of the same effect, then you have to
desperate to find out the gimmick or method, invisible to spot. This also applies to ‘double wonder why they didn’t spend more time on
but are pretending that they don’t want to, as cards’ and various other gimmicks. In reality, the first version and get it right then. Also, the
“that destroys the art!” or something like that... people’s eyesight is much better than they are first version is probably still around, and will
Try and see the effect performed LIVE if at often given credit for. But, if you are happy probably be half the price! The choice, as they
all possible. Then you know from first-hand performing in the dark – then no problem! say, is yours!

8 MSM MAGAZINE
 PHONEBOX

IN THE
PHONEBOX
WITH:
Florian Henckel
von Donnersmarck
Minister of Culture becomes
interested in Christa, so the
secret service agent Wiesler
is instructed to observe and
sound out the couple, but their
life fascinates him more and
more. Anyway, enough about
the movie, let’s ask him some
questions about magic...

MS: Do you like magic more than making

SHED 7
movies?
FD: (laughs) No, I am passionate and fanatical
about movie making, but I really like magic as
an art form...
MS: Do you perform any magic? There’s a nuclear war,
FD: I have bought quite a few tricks in
Who? It’s Florian, the past, and performed little things for
and you just have time
to grab 7 things as you
the Director of the grandchildren, and friends.
MS: What’s your favourite trick? make a dash for your
classic movie: The FD: I have bought several tricks by Tenyo re-inforced nuclear
Lives of Others, because I love all the creative thinking used in
them. They are miniature classics. I believe a
shed. What items do you
take?
which won an lot of people collect these tricks, and I can see
exactly why... A few months ago I bought ‘God
Oscar in 2006 - Hand’ by Tenyo, and I love it. I like the fact that The brilliant Matthew
that’s who! you do not have to be an expert to perform it. Wright has the difficult
I am certainly no expert! task....
MS: Which magicians do you like?
What’s the movie about? Well, FD: I have seen more magicians on YouTube 1. Not sure my girlfriend would like being
it’s about 90 mins! Just joking, than I have on TV, so some of them may not called an ‘item’ but I would have to take
this is what it’s about: In the be well known. However, I have seen clips of her with me. If I did that though I would
early 1980s, Georg Dreyman David Stone who is really amazing. I have also probably also have to take:
(a successful dramatist) and seen Juan Tamariz and Lennart Green. Another 2. Make-up.
his longtime companion amazing magician. I like close-up magic 3. Hair brush.
Christa-Maria Sieland (a generally. 4. Hair straighteners.
popular actress), were huge 5. Spare shoes.
intellectual stars in (former) Thanks to RS 6. More spare shoes.
East Germany, although they 7. And I might be allowed
secretly don’t always toe to take some cards.
the party line. One day, the

ISSUE No. 55 9
 LETTERS

READERS’
LETTERS...
If you have anything you would like to tell us, whether it’s about the magazine or
anything magic related, please email: [email protected]

THE WONDER OF WILLIAMSON!

Great interview with David Williamson in the last issue. There are not
many magicians who REALLY are world class, but David is up there
at the top. I was hoping that David would be at Blackpool this year,
but it seems he is not on the list. Keep up the good work on the
magazine.
David Normandale, Stockport
*Hi, unfortunately for magic fans at the Blackpool convention, David will be performing on a
cruise ship as we take advantage of the glorious Blackpool weather!

BLAINE: THIS IS THE GOLDEN AGE

OF MAGIC!
OUT OF THIS
WORLD! Am I the only person who thought that 2013 was actually one of the best years for magic EVER? In
fact, I’d say this was THE best year ever, and I’m 67 years old. Look at all the great effects released
Like many of your readers, I have been (OK, there was some crap as well!), but on TV around the world, there was probably more magic
enjoying seeing David Blaine back doing than EVER before! David Blaine, Dynamo, Derren Brown, those 2 Scottish lads whose names I can
magic on TV again. never remember - oh, Barry & Stuart, Penn & Teller, Tricked TV Show, Help, My Supply Teacher is
Magic, Paul Zenon, The Illusionists tour and TV special, Benjamin Earl, Criss Angel, and lots
He performed
more in the US. We had better appreciate this now, as this maximum exposure won’t be
a great version repeated until the next ‘magic cycle’ comes around! This is the golden age!!!!
of ‘Out of this Stephen Goodwin, Arbroath via email
World’. Could
Stephen...you are correct!
you tell me which

AT THE DOUBLE!
version of the
classic effect he
was using? I’d
Could you suggest any good routines that use double-backed cards? I’ve just been having
love to do this
a look through all my tricks (in the back of the cupboard) and found a pile of double-backed
version! cards but can’t remember what they were used for!
M.N. Burton, via email Jeff Falnsworth, East Sussex

Hi, Blaine’s version of Out of this World - we This has given us a good topic to discuss in the Magicseen office over a cup of tea and a packet
are pretty sure - is Harry Lorayne’s, and is of chocolate biscuits. Here are a few things we came up with: Darwin Ortiz has a good effect in his
called ‘Impromptu OOTW’. We believe it is Scams & Fantasies book and he also has another great effect called Dream Card. John Bannon’s
from his ‘Personal Secrets’ notes, which you Tattoo You is excellent. We also think Dan Harlan has done quite a few, and David Williamson has a
should be able to track down somewhere on great one called The Hypnotist. And don’t forget The Royal Road to Card Magic which has a chapter
the internet super-highway! on double-backed and double-face cards. There, that should keep you going!

10 MSM MAGAZINE
 NEWS

IN THE NEWS... YORK SOCIETY BASH!

York Society of Magicians recently held its annual supper at New Earswick District Bowls Club in
York. The proceedings started at 7.00pm prompt, where seventy two guests on eight tables were
entertained by eight members of York Young Magicians Club doing table magic. They were Rhys
Cunningham, Oliver Dunk, Jack Langan, David Robinson, Peter Robinson, Jack Sellers, Matthew
Woollons and Luke Yates. Their ages ranged between ten and sixteen, all of them produced a very
confident performance as they performed at the tables. They showed a range of tricks, which included
cards, coins, rings and rubber bands. The evening’s cabaret was Luke Jermay, who did a very good
mind reading and mentalism act.

TOMMY
COOPER IS
SHAMELESS!
Shameless star David Threlfall has been
chosen to play comedian Tommy Cooper in a
new drama, ITV has announced. The one-off
film has been written by Men Behaving Badly
creator Simon Nye.

Threlfall, who is best known for his role of

layabout Frank Gallagher in the Channel 4
NO-GO ‘SPIDER-MAN’
series, will star alongside actress Amanda Steve Wynn’s negotiations to bring “Spider-Man” to his Las Vegas Encore Theatre have apparently
Redman who plays his wife Gwen. Nye’s collapsed. Reporter Robin Leach said, “I’m reliably told that the producers needed an additional $15
script will focus on the dilemma faced by million minimum to construct the necessary aerial-effects mechanics, and that was the hurdle that
Cooper when he fell in love with assistant couldn’t be overcome for Broadway’s most expensive musical at $75 million making a move west after
Mary Kay, embarking on a relationship which its recent closing”.
lasted 17 years. The comic magician, one
of the best-known TV stars in the 70s, died
after suffering a heart attack on stage, live on SAWCHUCK signature acts over years in the business, so
television, in 1984.
IS SORE why steal mine?

ITV’s director of drama commissioning, Steve ABOUT THE “It’s an exact copy of my steam train illusion
November, said it felt “fitting” to tell Cooper’s
story on ITV. The film, produced by Left Bank
ILLUSIONISTS! I designed and invented for the semi finals of
‘America’s Got Talent’ watched by more than 22
Pictures, will explore how Cooper became The Las Vegas million viewers.
torn between two equally devoted women, Sun reports:
Kay and his wife, whom he nicknamed Dove. Tropicana “I’m still the first magician to perform the largest
Andy Harries, chief executive of Left Bank headliner illusion ever on ‘AGT’ with the locomotive. I
Pictures, said: “Few comics have had such magician Murray designed and created it and never gave anyone
a lasting influence on UK culture as Tommy Sawchuck else permission to use my idea. They didn’t
Cooper”. lashed out at even give me the courtesy of a heads up phone
four other Las call let alone request to use it.”
Vegas illusionists
on tour in Murray took aim at Las Vegas magicians Dan
Australia, Asia Sperry, Kevin James, Mark Kalin and Jinger,
and Europe adding: “There has never been an illusion with a
for reportedly steam train locomotive before I created mine for
ripping off his steam locomotive vanishing act. the television show.

“They use the magic of a steam train locomotive “Unfortunately, in this business, you can’t patent
with the entire cast of ‘The Illusionists’ to start an idea, so it’s very easy to have your brand or
their show. I feel completely betrayed and ripped idea ripped off without any credit, but at least
off,” snapped Murray. “They’ve honed their own give me the credit for it.”

ISSUE No. 55 11
 TRICKS

MASTERCLASS
HELI 1
KNOT
Tony Griffith

(Extracted, with permission, from

Tony’s book entitled Ultimate
Reflections - more info from tony@
tonygriffith.co.uk)

This is a cool way to create a

knot in a length of rope.

You need a length of rope

measuring about 1.5 metres long.
Hold the rope as shown in Fig.1.
The right hand is gripping the rope
approximately 50cm from end B. 2
The right hand now starts to swing
end B so that it rotates round and
round in a clockwise motion, rather
like an old aircraft propeller. After
three or four rotations, swing the
end a bit more towards you and
behind the stretched out portion of
the rope so that the end is flipped
over the horizontal rope strand as
in Fig.2. The left hand can move
forward during this final upward
swing in order to aid this.

The moment that end B has fallen

across the horizontal rope strand,
your left hand moves swiftly over
to the right and passes end A
3 4
through the loop of rope where it
is then gripped by the right fingers.
Fig.3

Without a pause the right hand

retains hold of this rope end as
the fingers tilt down to the ground
so that the rope is slipped off the
hand, and as it descends a knot
will be formed in the rope. Fig.4

14 MSM MAGAZINE
 TRICKS
REVIEWS

STAND UP BUSINESS CARD

John Derris
(Extracted with permission from John’s book KISS.
For more information contact John on [email protected])

In issue 54 (Jan.14) we ran third of the distance from each the right side of the card upright so that when you place
an article called Avoiding side of the card, and one half of forwards so that it becomes the card down on the table, it
The Repeat Performance the distance from the bottom. horizontal. Fig. 5. creates the look of Fig.8. If the
in which we looked at the Part of your publicity text is photo portion is not standing
various ways of ‘marking’ a also printed at the bottom right 3. Immediately fold the left side upright enough, you can use
table that you have already to the side of the centre line. of the card back towards you your fingers to fold it along
performed at so that you Fig.1. until that becomes horizontal as the crease you made on the
don’t inadvertently work it well. Fig.6 and Fig. 7 show this bottom edge of the photo to
again. John contacted me 2. Turning the card over from side fold in progress. You should ensure that it does.
to offer this brilliant novel to side so that the photo on the now find that the text on the
business card idea which underneath is still at the top, two halves of the horizontal The neat thing about this folded
you can use to leave on put your name and any other card pieces is reasonably lined creation is that you are left initially
tables you have performed contact details you want in the up. wondering how the photo part of
at, and it really is an square that is exactly on the the card has been formed from
excellent idea which could reverse of the photo. Fig.2. 4. The photo centre portion of the two narrow gaps in the rest of
work very well for you if you the card should now be left the card!
take the trouble to get it 3. You will notice that there is also
made up. some text top right, but that it
is upside down. This is correct. 1 2
Below you will find instructions Fig.3. has turned the card
for how to construct a special round to show that you need to
card that can be quickly folded have printed here some more
to create an unusual looking text details. The important thing
business card that lies flat on here is that when the card is
the table, yet which has an eventually folded, the text you
impossible looking upright put on the reverse of the card
centre piece of card. will need to line up with and be
in the same font and size as
It’s important that you follow the the text you originally inserted 3 4
construction details carefully bottom right on the front of the
in order to make sure that card.
you have the cards printed
correctly. If you don’t exercise With cards printed in this
some caution, you may find way, there is one further bit of
that when you come to fold preparation that you need to do.
them, things won’t line up Using a sharp pair of scissors (or
properly and the illusion will be a sharp thin knife), cut along the
spoilt. two sides of the photo and then
make another cut up the centre 5 6
You can make this idea from of the card to reach the middle
any sized piece of card, of the photo’s bottom edge. You
although clearly you will not may also wish to score along the
want a huge size as this would bottom edge of the photo to make
make it difficult to carry around. it easier to fold it neatly later.
The card should be rectangular Here is how you fold the card to
rather than square, but the create the stand up business card
exact size is up to you. I made shape.
one up, for instance, that was
about 14cm x 10cm (like a 1. Hold the card between your 7 8
small postcard size). Here are two hands with the photo at
the instructions for how to the top and facing you. Fig.4.
make the card itself. The dotted line in the photo
shows you where the cut
1. On the front of the card you coming up to the centre of the
need to have printed your photo is positioned.
photo in a square that is one 2. With your right fingers, rotate

ISSUE No. 55 15
 7 DEADLY SINS

THE 7 DEADLY SINS OF...

MENTALISM
ARE YOU GUILTY?
By Marc Paul

F
ollowing on from our article eroded fast. Do you want to be part of a
on the 7 Deadly Sins Of Table declining market or part of a rising market?
Hopping in issue 50 (May 2013),
we approached top mentalist Marc Paul One of the wisest men in magic sat me down
with a view to seeing what he considered in 1995 and had a very honest chat with me
are the equivalent sins for mentalists. His about how to be successful. That man was
observations are laid out below for your Pat Page and he told me that if I wanted to do
perusal! well I had to become a cabaret / after-dinner
performer when everyone else was doing
close-up. He also told me I had to be different
SIN 1: Hopping on the from all the other cabaret performers at the
mentalism bandwagon is time and they were all stand-up comedy-
THE deadliest sin… just patter magicians. When I asked Pat what
because everyone else is crowd and you can’t do that if you are doing he thought the gaps in the market were he
on it does not mean it’s the the same as everyone else. You only have thought about it for a moment and then said:
place to be! If you want to to look at corporatemagicians.com to see “A good mindreader and a good pickpocket”.
make a name for yourself that most magicians are now also labelling This was 1995. 5 years later Pat’s prediction
you should be doing themselves as mindreaders. came true when Derren Brown broke onto TV.
something different…
Of course this is only natural. The popularity of Okay…I know… you still want to be a
I can imagine that some of you will think it very mentalism on TV has risen drastically in the last mentalist despite what I’ve said above, but I
odd that I start an article about mentalism by 13 years and I fully understand why everyone think it’s important that you at least consider
basically suggesting that you shouldn’t be wants to add some mindreading to their show. what I’ve said even if you totally disagree
a mentalist! If you want to be a successful BUT because of this popularity the power with me. So, if you still want to be a mentalist
performer you need to stand out from the of mentalism is being eroded and it’s being there is a Deadliest Sin 1a.

18 MSM MAGAZINE
 7 DEADLY SINS

Mentalism really needs a certain level of as “the mindreader who can’t read minds”. His sometimes. Luke Jermay, on the other hand,
credibility and that’s missing when you add show is highly entertaining and has a youthful I feel has completely eradicated this from his
a mentalism routine to your magic show. energy to it. show!
The context is all wrong, it becomes just
another trick. If you want to be a mentalist, Both in my opinion are superb mentalists and The problem is that we all start out as
the Deadliest Sin 1a is not committing to have a crystal clear idea of who they are and magicians and we know that what we are
it enough. Being a magician who adds a what their character is. You need to do the doing is merely tricks. But a really effective pure
couple of mental effects to your magic act same otherwise you will be guilty of deadly mentalism performance requires us to “forget”
is what everyone else is doing. Being a pure Sins 2 and 3 and should be made to perform this. So how do we do this…
mentalist will at least put your head above the Elmsley Count for all eternity!
the crowd. The best way I have found is to really try to
SIN 4: Not having a believe in your character when you are on
SIN 2: Not having a clear clear idea of what your stage. Play the part to the best of your ability
idea of who you REALLY character’s abilities are… and know your material so well that the moves
are…You MUST look in are performed almost without thought. Then
a mirror and know who If you are guilty of sins 2 and 3 you will also be you can imagine that you really can do this
you are. Take a good long guilt of sin 4 by default. When you know who stuff and the performance moves to a new
look… you are and who your character is you’ll have a level and the audience can feel that.
clearer idea of what impossibilities you can do.
You can’t be a good mentalist if what you Try not to mix up too many types of effects. SIN 6: Buying too much
are doing does not gel with what you look shop bought mentalism…
like. If you are middle aged and look like a
professor, then a lecture style of performance Just stop! Please, just stop! You don’t need
will suit you. If you’re a teenager and a bit any more…go to your shelves and drawers
spotty and geeky, it won’t! But that’s OK, you and pull out something you bought 6 or 7
can have a different style - maybe you are years ago. It was a great effect then and it’s
the cool nerd who can do the most amazing a great effect now AND everyone else has
calculations in your head. It’s not only what forgotten about it! There comes a point when
YOU think you look like, you have to try you have to create an act. An act is NOT a
and see yourself through the eyes of your collection of tricks, it’s something much more.
audiences. BE COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY It has tricks in it but there is also a structure,
HONEST FOR YOUR OWN SAKE! maybe even a narrative, bits of business, lines,
gags, looks and pauses. You have to hone that
SIN 3: Not having a clear act from repeated performance. This is how
idea of what character you
are playing… “When you know you get really good. If you keep changing the
material you’ll never develop an act.
who you are and
This is linked very strongly with Sin 2, in fact
who your character SIN 7: Not reading
it is a natural extension. When you know enough…
who you are and what you look like your is you’ll have a
performance character must be allowed to
emerge from this. I hope they won’t mind
clearer idea of what I’m not just talking about mentalism books,
you need to read books about what you
but I’m going to use a couple of my friends impossibilities you are pretending…if you are pretending to
to illustrate this…because they are so can do.” read someone’s body language then learn
different in what they look like and what their something “real” about the subject. Read,
character is as a result. read, read and then read some more to build
My main show is 55 minutes of mindreading… your knowledge. Do THIS for all eternity and
Luke Jermay had a tough childhood, and just mindreading. I’m billed as a mindreader you will be truly saved!
he’s now a tough adult with a ton of tattoos and that’s what I do. There are no predictions
and a strong, self-confident attitude. As a or influence routines in this act. My character
result his performance is also tough, gritty stands on stage and tells the audience things Thank you for taking the time to read
and powerful. He shows off his tattoos and about themselves that he couldn’t possibly this article. Of course there really are no
is not afraid to make his show feel as real as know. They never ask him what the lottery deadly sins in mentalism just like there
possible. His performance is aimed at making numbers are because they know he can’t do really are no rules! You could disagree
the audience slightly uncomfortable…even a this. YOU must have a clear idea of what your with me on any of the above and in a way
little scared. There is a very strong psychic feel character’s abilities are and you must convey I hope that you do because that means
to his show and he makes people believe. that to your audiences. you are thinking, and that really is what
I want you to do. THINK about what you
Chris Cox on the other hand looks like a SIN 5. Still thinking and want to achieve as a mentalist and how
student; he’s gangly and looks a bit geeky. acting like a magician… you will do that. If you are questioning
He wears glasses in his show that heighten (magician’s guilt) and thinking that is all I can ask for.
the student look and performs routines that Because, not to think and just to
are fun, illustrate a story or make a point. This is a tough one to overcome and if I’m blindly follow, that really would be a
There are plenty of laughs and he bills himself to be honest I’m still a bit guilty of this myself deadly sin…

ISSUE No. 55 19
 CRUISE SHIPS

THE
ITALIAN
JOB! Luca Volpe gives Magicseen a personal
view of life working on cruise ships.

I
have been working regularly on
cruise ships for over 13 years, for six
continuous months of every year.

Over the years I have performed several

different shows on the ships, ranging from a
close-up show to a BIG illusion show, but now
I am mainly working with my mentalism show. I
really enjoy taking this show on the ship as it is
still relatively new for the cruise ship world and
it gets a great response from the audiences.
Working on cruise ships is a great job, but
before embarking (embarking, get it?!) into this
floating world, it is important to be aware of a
few things:

Firstly, you must have at least 90 minutes of

great quality material, no filler! Normally you are
required to perform a full 45-50 minute show,
twice (on some ships you may be required to
perform three times) in one night, so that all
passengers get a chance to see the show. An
extra 45 minutes of material is needed in case
you are required for a second show during the
week, or you might be given a ‘spot’ of 20-30
minutes in a variety show. I personally have 90
minutes of material, for two mentalism shows, things may be slightly different. It’s not
that fits into hand luggage, always ready to go. Most guest entertainers will be contracted for always bad, but you will have to follow
This bag goes everywhere with me, even on ‘fly-on’ shows which means being on the ship a few more ‘rules’, like taking part in the
vacation! An agent can call you, asking if you for 2-14 days normally, enough time for you to emergency drill every week, sticking to a
are free to work on a cruise at anytime, often do your show or shows and then leave. You dress code etc...If possible, try and get your
last minute. can also be offered a resident position, which contract under ‘guest entertainer’ status -
often happens with illusionists that have lots of it’s less hassle.
I have worked for several different cruise equipment and don’t travel lightly. The length
liners that include MSC Cruises, Royal of time for a resident contract can be anything Life on board is rather great, everything is
Caribbean International and Princess Cruises from 2 months to several years! free (apart from alcohol and extras) and it’s
and each one has a slightly different ‘style’ really a fantastic lifestyle. Passengers pay
and niche in the market. Honestly, I prefer Normally, when you embark on a cruise ship, thousands to have the same experiences.
the American cruise companies. I think most you are under the title of ‘guest entertainer’. Even though the majority of this work is
guest entertainers would agree, life on board is This mean that you have the same privileges positive, it does include negative aspects
much better for us. Some companies treat you as a passenger, plus you also get a discount too. You can be away from family and
really very well, some may even go as far as for drinks and spa. However, some companies friends for several months, which can be
delivering free champagne to your stateroom will put you on the ‘crew manifest’ if you are very hard for artistes who have young
after a show! Just a little OTT but some people a resident artiste and staying on the ship for family. Also, if an emergency happens at
like that. an extended period of time. This means that home, it can be quite challenging to get

20 MSM MAGAZINE
 CRUISE SHIPS

“Most guest entertainers will be contracted

for ‘fly-on’ shows which means being on the
ship for 2-14 days normally, enough time for
you to do your show or shows and then leave.”

ISSUE No. 55 21
 CRUISE SHIPS

“...one of the
best things
about working
on cruise ships
is that it gives
you lots of free
time (as you
really only work
a maximum of
2-4 hours during
a full cruise)
that you can use
to prepare new
material and try
new ideas.”
back quickly, more so if you are in the middle
of several days at sea and especially if you
still have shows to do...after all, you are there
to work. I am lucky because my wife and I
work together, which makes things so much
better, but not everyone is as fortunate. So, if
you have a family, I suggest that you tell your
agent that you are available for ‘fly-on’ shows.
However, this is really only suitable if you have
a comedy magic show, mentalism show or a
show that fits into a suitcase. If you have a big
illusion show, forget it! When I was booked as
an illusionist I was doing a full illusion show and
a full mentalism show and it was a big pain in the customs agent will call you 10 times a a guest entertainer), followed by a relaxing
the @$&£! I have two tons of equipment and day asking you to sign and fill in documents, sauna and then I normally go out to visit the
to get a huge illusion show on board is really over and over again! Invariably there is some place we are at that day. It’s a hard life...
difficult! Think lots of flight cases, cranes and problem or another, even if you’re doing it for
plenty of sweaty men! Yikes! the twentieth time. Then, when your contract is Most afternoons I get a chance to work on
finished and you’re disembarking, you have to new shows, books I am writing and new
Firstly, the theatre doesn’t always have enough reverse the process...even more problems. In ideas that I am developing. In fact one of
backstage space. You’re sharing this precious Venice, they asked me to pay $8,000 in taxes the best things about working on cruise
space with maybe 8-12 other shows so fitting for my props!! Obviously I didn’t pay them, ships is that it gives you lots of free time
in big illusions can be a problem. If possible, but to get them to see sense I had to do the (as you really only work a maximum of 2-4
try and find out what space you will have for impossible. Well this was Venice, which I find hours during a full cruise) that you can use
storage and tell the entertainment bosses to be one of the trickiest ports ever as they are to prepare new material and try new ideas.
of the company what you want to bring on always trying to make their own kind of magic!
equipment-wise. It also helps if you can talk to Avoid that port if possible! Of course you need the motivation to use
a fellow magician who has worked on that ship that time productively, otherwise it is far
before as they can honestly tell you if you’re too easy to clock-up the hours spent in the
being realistic. A TYPICAL DAY ON buffet or lounging around on the sun deck!
BOARD: In the evenings, after dinner, it’s normally
One of the main problems with travelling with Personally I wake up around 9am as I don’t like time to check out the show. Every night
large amounts of equipment is customs. Once to sleep-in too late (an unusual habit for most there is a different show in the theatre.
the company pick up your precious cargo (by guest entertainers), I have breakfast on board Sometimes it’s a production show that
the way, they pay for everything, don’t panic!) (looking out onto the island of Santorini can’t is performed by the singers and dancers
they take it to a port where the ship will be, so be beaten), I sweat it out in the gym (they have on board and other nights it’s a guest
that it can be loaded on. From that moment great gyms on board that you can use if you’re entertainer’s show. After all these years we

22 MSM MAGAZINE
 CRUISE SHIPS

have made many good friends with artistes

from all around the world who work on
cruise ships, it’s a great little network! “...the theatre doesn’t
always have enough
The day of the show is a little different. We backstage space,
always do a rehearsal in the afternoon just you’re sharing this
to check lights, audio, videos and anything precious space with
else. In order to have everything under maybe 8-12 other
control, I prepare everything for the show in shows so fitting in
the afternoon. I like to do this so that I have big illusions can be a
time to relax for a couple of hours before problem.”
the show and start to get ‘in the zone’! I
perform the show in English but it’s always
a good idea to check which nationalities
make up the majority of the audience
and to avoid picking anyone who doesn’t
speak English for audience participation
numbers. It can really slow the show
down and be uncomfortable if you are
trying to explain what you want a Russian
audience member to do if they don’t know
any English! Sometimes there is a large
percentage of Spanish speakers and
thankfully I worked in Spain for a few years
with my show so I can easily cover
Spanish and also Italian, of course!
When there is a large amount of
Chinese it can be interesting!

Most of the cabins are great, but

the standard often depends on
how old the ship is. Generally guest
entertainers cabins should be outside
cabins with a fair bit of room. If you are
“As you get
a ‘resident guest entertainer’ you should more and more
get given a decent passenger cabin
which you can call home for the next few experience
months. If you are on board with a ‘fly-on’
working on
cruise ships
show, well sometimes you might just get a
suite with a balcony...not too shabby at all!

Once on board, get to know everyone and travelling

and make friends, especially the people around, you
who work close to you (your cabin
steward, entertainment team, fellow learn more
guest entertainers etc). Plus they can be
very helpful if you need to buy something
about what you
from the crew area if you can’t personally need and how to
go there, like internet cards. Internet for
passengers can cost $25 for only 30
videos, they will never watch more than a six
minute promo. So give them your best! make it all a bit
minutes of internet, whereas crew internet
cards cost $40 and you have 480 minutes, Plus don’t forget your passport and always
easier.”
quite a difference. So, finding a friend in a check which visas and vaccinations you need
crew member can really help you out! for the destinations you will be travelling to. As have seen a LOT of acts, especially regular
you get more and more experience working cruisers who spend three or more months of
As far as getting started on the seas, you on cruise ships and traveling around, you learn the year on board ships, so they need to see
will need to gain some contacts. There are more about what you need and how to make it new and original numbers and their standard
many agencies that work for cruise ships all a bit easier. for entertainment is very high. However, when
in the UK and America, and by searching a you get it right and they are entertained, you
little on the internet it is easy to find these Working on cruise ships is undeniably a great can’t beat a cruise ship audience!
agencies and send your material to them. opportunity, but it’s not easy at the beginning.
You have to re-develop your show many

lucavolpe.com
Make sure that your material is fresh and times over, before finding the right formula.
professionally produced and don’t send long Audiences on cruise ships are difficult, they

ISSUE No. 55 23
 SHOUT OUTS

DEALER
SHOUT
OUTS
HERE ARE SOME SPECIAL ‘EXTRA’ ANNOUNCEMENTS
FROM A FEW OF OUR REGULAR ADVERTISERS
MAGICSEEN AT
MERLINS OF WAKEFIELD...
...will be at the Blackpool Convention with some great new effects BLACKPOOL!
including – Pocket Mint, Mystic Wallet, Transpo Tubes and more...... Once again
Mental Visions by Ian Maltby will also be available at the special price Magicseen
of £135.00. They will also have their latest 16 page Preview available will have
which is FREE. If you are not going to Blackpool then you can email a dealer
them [email protected] and they’ll send you a PDF copy. Look stand at
out for their ‘Friday’ Specials on their website which change every Blackpool
week. www.merlinswakefield.com and as
well as
having

MARK LEVERIDGE MAGIC... copies

of the
...announces two new releases. This year at Blackpool I will be offering
brand
two new close up effects at Blackpool for the first time. One is a
new Wayne Dobson
feature close up effect, the other a walkabout routine. Come to my
Definitive Collection available
stand to watch dems and also to catch up on the rest of the MLM
on the stand, we will also have
range. Plus, if you a member of E-Club Pro, remember to wear your
our range of other books plus
E-Club Pro badge in order to qualify for a 10% discount on purchases.
a big selection of back issues.
Don’t forget that subscribers
QUESTION: What do Alakazam Magic, Big Blind Media, get 20% off the full purchase
Card Shark, Discount Magic, Gycklaren Magic Marketing, Magic price of books, so it’s a good
Tao, Merlins, Playtime Balloons, PropDog, Albion Magic, The Card opportunity to see what titles
Collection, Zane’s Magic Shop, Gary James and Warped Magic all have we have to offer. Graham and
in common? Answer: they are all current advertisers in Magicseen and Phil will be on the stand waiting
they will all have stands at the Blackpool Convention. So make sure you to greet you, so make sure you
visit them and buy from them - after all, they help to make your favourite call by if you’re coming to the
magic magazine (this one, in you case you wondered!) possible! convention.

24 MSM MAGAZINE
 NATIVE MAGIC

BACK TO THE
FUTURE!
Native Indians Bobby & Jeramy Neugin are making
waves in the world of magic using a combination
of traditional Indian stories combined with modern
magic thinking. Anyone who makes a swarm of live
wasps appear from their hands deserves further
investigation! The deadly duo talk to Magicseen....
Tell us about your march and after they arrived in Oklahoma. My we had until we were sick of them. So I
background, family, and mother talks about going to Indian school and began to learn basic sleights, if anything
the environment you grew she didn’t speak English. She was whipped to try and be better than dad, to make him
up in... for speaking her own native language. My dad quit showing me something new. Then
Jeramy: It’s a close knit family, at the same quit school in grade school to go to work. I’ve something clicked in my head, I saw what
time, distant. The best memories of childhood watched him struggle to try and read. But he all the fascination and fuss was about. I
are always ones spent with family. But those never gave up. He always wanted his children got hooked. When we were researching
moments seemed few and far between. I didn‘t to do better. I went to Hulbert High School, our heritage, we found stories of Cherokee
have very many friends growing up, so I mainly Okmulgee State Tech to be a machinist, conjurers in museum archives. One was an
spent it reading books. We grew up with little to Northeastern State University to learn police account from a missionary about a conjurer
no knowledge of our culture. Our grandparents administration, Oklahoma State University to using three wooden cups and acorns to
were whipped in school for speaking or acting learn boot making and Northeastern Tech to tell a story to some young warriors. A light
Cherokee. As a result, they refused to pass on learn ‘home inspection’. Through it all, magic clicked in our head “This is the cups and
any knowledge they knew about our history and sleight of hand was an interest of mine. balls” we thought. Further research showed
and culture, for fear of us getting treated that us that magic is really in every culture.
way. Missionaries were determined to rid the How did you become Our family is coming around. They didn’t
Indian of itself. When we began to research interested in magic? And care about it at first. They were afraid we
our heritage in recent years, we discovered how do your family feel would be getting into trouble for what
a wealth of information about the Native about what you do? we do.
American way of life that is in danger of being Jeramy: Magic’s always been in our family. Our
lost if more young people aren‘t made aware. great, great grandmother Rebecca Neugin was Bobby: It’s something that’s always been
The environment we grew up in was in a way, the oldest living survivor of the trail of tears. I around. We had ‘white’ magic or good
almost cut off from modern life. It was a blend had grown up hearing stories that she could magic and ‘black’ magic, bad magic. It’s
of both ideals, the past and present. It wasn’t a speak to the ‘Little People’ (Cherokee forest a part of Cherokee life, magic was always
boring life. We were always changing how we spirits, similar to Irish Fairies and elves), or that thought of as real. I’ve always heard of
lived and made a living. Just twenty years ago, she could change shape and talk to animals. medicine men and women too. I saw
we were working as master and apprentice Doug Henning’s first TV appearance, I was
blacksmiths and buggy builders. We still used My grandfather and father encountered ghosts amazed with what I saw that day. I guess
horses and mules daily. Fourteen years ago, and had seen the Little People. We had I’m still amazed, because I’m still trying to
we were master woodworkers, making Frank relatives who were fortune tellers, mystics and duplicate what I saw. How does my family
Lloyd Wright designed custom homes. Eight rain-makers. My father was a practising, non- feel about magic? I still wonder about that.
years ago, I was a leather craftsman. Now I’m performing magician all his life. It was annoying There are days when they seem to like it,
a Cultural Preservationist, Tradition Keeper and to me, growing up. Because every other day, they’re supportive. Especially the elders
a Magician. it was a new trick. While I didn’t practise, I in our family. Then there’s the times they
knew the methods because he was always don’t and it’s pretty bad then. When that
Bobby: I’m the second son in a family of four practising. It was kind of annoying because it happens, I go and get another magic book
boys and one girl. We’re full blood Cherokee wasn’t surprising. to immerse myself in, go and get another
Indians. My great great grandmother was the magic DVD, try to learn another trick.
last living member of the Trail of Tears, the I got into magic because it was something to
forced death march from Georgia to Oklahoma. pass the time with him, when we were working Do you think there have
She was four years old when this happened. in the mountains of North Carolina. There been extra challenges
I’ve been told thousands died, both on this was no TV reception, we watched the videos to becoming magicians

26 MSM MAGAZINE
 NATIVE MAGIC

because of your How would you describe

background? Or has it your act? And what effects
made life easier for you? do you perform?
Jeramy: Again, when we first started, I had Jeramy: We tried to make it like it was in the
no clue how much religion had influenced old days. When it was you and the conjurer in
people’s thinking here. My scariest trick an intimate setting and you thought magic was
was making sponge rabbits multiply. After real. The magic we do is for a maximum crowd
the first flak and backlash we got about our of three to five hundred. We just don’t have the
show, Dad said “If we’re going to catch hell money or crew to make the big stage props.
for doing magic, let’s do the magic we want
to do. Let’s not hold back!” He wanted us The show we have covers a little bit of
to show everyone what we can accomplish, everything. Animal appearances, close-up
and I agreed. We stopped toning down our sleight of hand, mentalism, story-telling,
act. We started doing the show we would humorous magic, scary shamanistic, to family
want to pay to go and see. It paid off, we friendly. That’s what people don’t know about
haven’t looked back. We were accused of Native Americans. Their stories were often not
being satanic. Of performing black magic, for children. They told the history, no matter
of embarrassing the tribe, embarrassing
our family, then of having the whole act “As far as I how bloody, and told stories on how to live
your life, sometimes funny, but more often than
handed to us on a silver platter, because we know, we’re the not, scary. It’s like the old Grimm’s fairy tales.
were Indian. As if there was a government
programme for the downtrodden to apply only magicians When we do the illusions that tell about our
Cherokee culture, it’s often from stories we had
for, like meal or living assistance. These were who produce a to lighten up a lot. There are illusions we do
accusations made by people who had never
seen our show, never seen what we were swarm of live about shape-shifters, Bigfoot, Indian witches,
the dead coming back to life, vampires, ghosts,
trying to accomplish, but knew that because wasps from our fairies, poltergeists and water monsters.
it was us doing it, they wanted to see it fail.
hands. They’re Dad used to do a routine about two little boys
Because ‘conjurer’ and ‘magician’ are bad
words. real. It’s from who ate eggs from the bank of a river they
were forbidden to go, and how they turned into
an old Cherokee giant water serpents. The routine ended with
They’ve been demonised here. The native
people were taught to turn their back on legend about Dad drawing a snake on a piece of paper, then
pulling a five foot long black snake out of the
their culture. We tried to get an advertising giant wasps that drawing, and cutting it and restoring it whole
billboard made once and the sign company
we spoke to refused to help us, saying we attacked the and unharmed, like the old beginner’s cut and
restored rope trick. The kids liked it, but the
were magicians, we were in league with the village, but the parents who took them to our show, thinking
devil, and would pray for us instead. It’s been
conjurers killed we were birthday clown magician’s, didn’t care

them off.”
a struggle. To get bookings, to get noticed, for it at all. (laughs) So we had to get rid of it.
to get people to even watch us. We’ve had The kids’ only complaint about it, was there
news reporters tell us, right before we start wasn’t enough blood when we cut the snake
performing “If I spot how you do one trick, in two.
I’m exposing the whole show!”
As far as I know, we’re the only magicians
But once we start, it’s a whole ’nother story! who produce a swarm of live wasps from our
They go from telling us to wrap it up, to not hands. They’re real. It’s from an old Cherokee
stop, you’re amazing! That’s what makes it legend about giant wasps that attacked the
all worth it. That moment where you amaze village, but the conjurers killed them off. We
them. That moment when you reawaken recreate the legend, but in reverse. We bring
that sense of wonder in them. The joy-fueled the swarm back. There’s an old trick my dad
applause afterwards, to have kids and adults and grandfather taught me, they used to be
come up to you after a show and say they’re able to calm them down, ‘tame’ them into not
going to become magicians because of you. stinging you. So we use that method in our
It makes everything all worthwhile. Well, that show. We catch them an hour or two before
and the women! (laughs). show time, then release them back where
we caught them after. We do that with all the
Bobby: Just getting people to take notice snakes, scorpions, wasps and worms we
of us, we have made ten TV appearances use. That way, we’re keeping the old ways of
and some of our own family have refused to using the Earth’s gifts, but not abusing it, in
watch us, even though we call and tell them our show. The method failed me once. It was
the times and dates, so they will know when during our first TV appearance. I got ready,
we will be on. It’s not easier to get bookings. and my arm got bumped right before I was
Making sure the show goes right, getting supposed to make them appear. I got stung
time off from my regular job, etc. It just drives four times. So on camera, one hand looked
us to be better. To be the best. normal, but through the course of the segment,

ISSUE No. 55 27
 NATIVE MAGIC

TIME
TUNNEL
WITH JEFF HOBSON
Each issue, we
chuck one of our
favourite magicians
the other swelled up to a catcher’s mitt Bobby: To be the best. into a fictional time
size! For audiences that don’t want a Native tunnel to make
American show, we can do any type of show Do you create any original good any mistakes
imaginable, any theme, and style. From street magic effects of your own? they’ve made, or
magic, which we’ve done and I love doing, to Jeramy: Yes! 99.99% of every trick and illusion just to give us their
holiday themed stage shows. we do, is one we made up ourselves, or opinion of their past!
twisted the method of one we learned until it’s This issue we grab
Bobby: Describe our act? (laughs) It’s good. our own. We don’t want to be accused of just a hold of the check-suited Jeff Hobson,
I’ve compared it to other magician’s and ours ‘copying so and so’s act’, we want to be the swing him around a bit, and then throw
is just as good or better. It’s never worse. ones others look up to, respect and emulate. him head first in to the past! Take it
The effects I do, pulling snakes from pictures, The best way, the only way, to do that, is to be away Jeff!!
levitating objects, manipulating fire, putting as original as possible. I don’t think we have
swords through people’s necks, burning ever bought a magic effect that we performed Personally, I wouldn’t change a thing in my
Jeramy’s head to a skull and restoring him, ’right out of the box’. It’s always been stripped, past. Being raised as an only child in a low
money effects, I’m a classic stage magician. taken apart, and reassembled into something income area of Detroit, I had the time to
close to the routine we imagined using it for. practise magic and the surroundings that
Who have influenced you? Eventually, we gave up buying magic props made me realise that real life takes patience,
Jeramy: Magicseen Magazine! Besides Dad, from the markets and began building them character and faith in God to get through
Michael Ammar’s Icebreakers was the first ourselves. We use the shops now mainly for the rough parts. In my high school years, I
teaching tape I ever watched. Jay Sankey‘s fire effect refills, or books on methods we had the opportunity to be in 12 plays and
Supernatural was the first one that greatly might not have heard of. I read once in a musicals which was priceless for the theatre
influenced me. Penn & Teller, the Amazing magazine article that Penn Jillette said Teller experience I got from it. I never had the
Jonathan, Tim Ellis, Lance Burton, Jim Magus, had an extensive magic library, but that was money to attend college which now I realise
Max Maven, R. Shane, Lisa Lane & Corinda... because he’d buy a book, read the whole thing was a major reason for my early success in
and maybe find one illusion method he might magic. I didn’t have the option to fail.
Bobby: Doug Henning, Penn and Teller, Jay be able to use. Or, as is often the case, none
Sankey, Tim Ellis. at all. It wasn’t that the tricks in the book were In magic, I would really loved to have met
bad, it was that he was looking for something Fred Kaps. My hero. He was one magician
What’s the best advice he didn’t already know, he was looking to be who understood how to entertain an
you’ve ever been given? surprised again. We’re like that now. No one audience. I would also have loved to have
Jeramy: My mother told me to give up. I’ll fail. warned us that when you become magicians, witnessed performances of magicians of
My grandmother said to get a respectable job, you lose your sense of wonder. It’s a small the past. Videos do not do justice and
like cutting meat. Best advice ever, because price to pay, for being able to create it in they never will. There’s real magic in a live
I did the exact opposite and set out to show others. performance.
them what I can achieve doing what I love.
Bobby: About 99% of our tricks are things we Going back to my personal life. I would
Bobby: (laughs) Yes, to give up. I just went the come up with. The other one percent is what change one thing in my recent past. I would
other way. we liked in the teaching DVDs. go back and not drink alcohol to excess.
It nearly ruined my life and other peoples’
What are your aims for What’s the biggest lesson lives too. My wife was my life saver. She’s
your act? you’ve learnt so far as an angel. At the very least, I could almost
Jeramy: The last Cherokee Conjurer who performers? buy a new car every year with the amount
practised publicly died in 1901. We brought Jeramy: Relax. Have fun. If you’re on stage of money I spent on alcohol. Some people
it back. We’re the last Conjurers of the and not enjoying yourself, then the audience have one or two drinks. That’s fine if they can
Cherokee. My aim is to see magic brought isn’t. If a trick doesn’t go right, don’t panic. control it. But as many of us know, it’s easy
back to our people. Our history and culture Don’t run. No one’s chasing you. Just go with to use to excess and it really just makes you
brought back to our people. Not to vanish it, and move on to the next illusion. slow, stupid and dangerous when driving a
as a footnote in history. And make a good vehicle. Why should anyone want that? In the
living performing while I’m at it. Get a family of Bobby: Never give up! last year of not drinking, I’ve witnessed many
my own, pass on our knowledge to the next people getting drunk. It’s really amazing to
generation. think that I looked that stupid.

28 MSM MAGAZINE
 WAYNE DOBSON

WAYNE
DOBSON
Master Craftsman

So, your new book!

Why do one and what
are your thoughts
about it?
I have often had requests for me to do a

E
compilation of everything I had published.
ver since Magicseen launched over nine However, I wanted to wait until I had all my

years ago, Wayne Dobson has been one of thoughts down on paper about everything
to do with performing i.e. stagecraft/
it’s strongest supporters, and it’s been our management/TV/theatre, plus I wanted
pleasure to have worked on numerous projects to include my up to date life story and all
the anecdotes I could think of that had
together. Wayne’s new book is launched as you happened throughout my career. I also
read this, so we thought we’d ask the magical wanted to include quite a few more effects
than I hadn’t published before.
maestro a few questions, and hopefully, the
swearing will be kept to a minimum. Also Magicseen have always done me
proud whenever they have published any
of my previous books, and they knew how

30 MSM MAGAZINE
 WAYNE DOBSON

“I really miss working and there

is nothing that could ever replace
the adrenaline rush you get from
performing in front of a live
audience”

ISSUE No. 55 31
 WAYNE DOBSON

32 MSM MAGAZINE
 WAYNE DOBSON

WAYNE’S TOP
much it meant to me, making this book
look the NUTS!

Has doing the book

made you think once TEN PRODUCTS
more about your life and
achievements - and how
ACCORDING TO WAYNE!
has that made you feel?
Mixed emotions really, because when I think
of all I have achieved it makes me feel really ECHO: Always a solid routine, ever created. People were coming up
good. However, being perfectly honest I which was in my act for 10 years. with electronic versions, magnetic,
really miss working and there is nothing all sorts! However, I still (and so do
that could ever replace the adrenaline rush CoinFlux 2: A real magician the pros) prefer the original method
you get from performing in front of a live fooler. To be honest it’s not a worker, because it is so simple and you’re
audience. Also in a hypothetical world, if however, it’s one of those tricks that not relying on a piece of electronic
MS had never happened, I would still have you have to buy to learn the method, equipment that could let you
been working and therefore I probably and when you do learn the method down and be very dangerous...
would never have gone down the road of I guarantee you will say, “how could I
creating magic, something that I have found have been so stupid!”
to be very satisfying. Second Chance
Guesstimation
Plans for 2014? Sex: I came up with
Blackpool convention is the next big thing, Pocket Money: A great coin the premise for this effect
and whilst there I will be launching my new routine newly released where a coin for my TV series, however
book and hopefully making a few quid. Also vanishes from INSIDE a spectator’s pocket I never used it because
I am doing the Wayne Dobson and Friends and appears in a bag! Lots of great patter it was too risqué for 6pm
show on the Friday, which is always potential, and easy to do. and to be honest I forgot
good fun! all about it until last year. If I
Gin & Tonic was still working on a regular
What you looking basis I would never have
forward to at Blackpool? Smash and Stab: Who’d have released it - I would have kept it to myself!
What I like most about Blackpool is seeing thought that 10 years ago I was sitting with
friends who you only ever see at Blackpool, Colin Rose looking at the first prototype Revelation
so it’s always good to catch up on what’s of this effect. I remember saying that it’s
been happening. I will probably go to the not the greatest of tricks and I wonder if Javelin: The Blackpool release which is
USA in September to the TAOM and Magic magicians will buy it? How wrong was I? a Tossed Out Deck which is examined and
In The Rockies in Denver, which is quite a It became the most emulated trick I have shuffled by the spectator (honest)!
small convention. However, it’s one of the
most enjoyable - no egos, and nothing but
really good magic and great social activities
- and I will do bits in between.
QUICKIES
OK, we know it’s already Top ten fav performers?
February, but what did These are my top 10 performers in no
you do over Xmas & the particular order:
New Year?
On Christmas Day Marianne and I drove David Williamson
up to see my parents in Leicester and Lance Burton
that was so nice to see my family over the Derren Brown
Christmas period. On Boxing Day we went Jeff McBride
to Marianne’s brothers for lunch, followed Mac King
by a properly organised quiz (and no I didn’t Greg Wilson
win) – it is only about 12 miles away from Penn and Teller
where we live... Joe Pasquale
Jerry Sadowitz
A message to all the Ken Brooke
people who’ve bought Last time you REALLY
your effects? Last time you cried? laughed?
I love it when other magicians perform my To be honest I cry quite easily, especially if I Only yesterday when I saw a very funny video
effects and contribute their own slant on am watching the TV and somebody is really of a sketch by Steve Coogan. However, if you
it. I am also very grateful for the continued good – I think it’s something to do with the are really offended by the’ C’ word this is not
support of all my customers. MS. It’s almost like a bereavement for me, for you! (*And I don’t think that the word he
as I want it to be me who’s doing it! means is ‘cash’ - Ed)

ISSUE No. 55 33
 PRACTICE

PRACTICE
MAKES
PERFECT?
Notes to help you make the
most of magic rehearsal.
By Chris Payne

I
took early retirement almost two EXPERT TECHNIQUE • Mastering the individual sleights
years ago, thus ending a period of I think one of the difficulties that most of us or moves
over 35 years in which magic had very encounter when we are thinking of embarking • Practising the trick as a whole, including
much taken a back seat to my career as a on a process of magical self improvement is the timing and any misdirection involved
busy medical professional. that we see the experts doing difficult stuff • Rehearsing the trick exactly as you
with ease and we come to the conclusion that wish to perform it, complete with script,
While I had always retained an interest in they must have a knack that we simply don’t wearing the correct performance clothes,
magic, it was very much a case of immersing possess. However, I would challenge this and going all the way through, even if
myself for short, sharp periods of time at assumption. Yes, top flight performers may you make mistakes along the way.
Blackpool Conventions or at FISM, but the come with huge doses of natural aptitude,
trouble was that as soon as I returned to but I would suggest that this alone is not Now you may imagine that this only
my everyday life, magic once again quickly enough, and that the only way that they scale applies to sleight of hand close up tricks,
dissolved into the background and the the heights that they do is through constant but I would contend that it is equally
promises that I had made to myself to keep practice, and plenty of time needs to be valid for self working effects, stage magic
the magic alive and a part of my life, would be dedicated to that practice. and even children’s routines. To make a
subsumed again by the demands of my job good performance with any of them it is
and normal life. Therein lies the rub. When we are young important that you handle your props with
we spend hour upon hour learning the skills complete familiarity, and this studied way
With this in mind I always used to say to needed in our everyday lives. Changing of practising will make you so slick that
myself, “Once I have enough time I will catch gear smoothly in a car, doing up buttons or the audience will relax as they sense your
up on all those tricks I have bought and never shoelaces, even peeling potatoes, these are all complete competence.
opened.” You see in my own mind, my inability skills which seem impossible at first but which
to keep with the magic programme, as it were, eventually become second nature through
was simply a question of available space and endless repetition. When we become an adult, MAKING THE
time which early retirement would soon put often we think a new technique should come PRACTICE EASY
right. Well, guess what? I now do have the quickly, and when it doesn’t, we tend to give Having established the need for practice,
time, but much of what I thought I would catch up far sooner than we really should. the next stage is to make the opportunity
up on has so far remained unachieved. to actually do it as easy as possible. For
So the first part of the improvement process instance, if you have a card routine that
What this has proved to me is that actually is understanding that you need to dedicate you want to rehearse, why not leave a
the fault lies not with a lack of time, but more enough time to practice if you really want to close up mat permanently out on a table in
with a flaw in my character. I really do love achieve something. The thought of endless your house with the cards on it? I find that
practising magic, it’s just that I genuinely find repetition may seem unappealing, even boring, because I can see the props sitting there
it hard to settle down and do it. Identifying this but the truth is that consistent practice will as I pass by, I will often stop, pick them up
inner weakness, however, has enabled me to mean you make quicker progress, and with and spend a short while going through the
challenge and tackle it, and I am pleased to that comes a sense of real achievement and move or moves that I am trying to perfect.
say that using the techniques that I am going satisfaction.
to describe below, I have made some tangible A few minutes of this and suddenly I find
progress. This is great, because it has meant myself drawn into an unscheduled practice
that I have rediscovered the joy of mastering PRACTICE LEVELS session which may go on to last for half an
a move or routine which initially seemed I think there are basically three levels of hour or more! And all because I made the
impossible. practice. starting of a practice session easy.

36 MSM MAGAZINE
 PRACTICE

BEING FOCUSED as one in as natural a manner as possible. The lesson that I learned from this was that
Another important thing to do, in my view, The trouble is, that while many performers are starting with a broad search rather than a
is to make sure that you are focused. perfectly capable of keeping the two cards narrow resource restricted to just one DVD is
Rather than try to work on half a dozen perfectly aligned, they do so at the expense of likely to produce better results. For me, the
different moves all at the same time, I find some fairly unnatural handling. path eventually took me to a YouTube clip of
it more beneficial to concentrate on one at David Williamson explaining and demonstrating
a time. That way I make quicker progress So on retiring I decided that I would focus Dai Vernon’s beautifully constructed double lift.
and my level of expertise in the given sleight much of my attention on this venerable What is great about this is that the technique
elevates much faster. It may feel that you move. I could have just set about immediately itself is not that hard, and it looks disarmingly
are taking longer to learn a selection of practising the sleight itself, but I decided that natural.
moves if you only tackle one at a time, but that would be a redundant waste of time
I would always contend that it is better to if the technique that I was using was not 30 MINUTES A DAY
know 8 moves really well than to be able to good enough in the first place. No amount of Having located the right version of the move I
perform 30 or 40 inadequately. rehearsal could ever compensate for a poor could now progress to the intensive practice
handling version. outlined above. I set myself a target of a
SETTING GOALS minimum of 30 minutes practice on it a day,
One way to keep your focus is to set constantly checking via a practice mirror
yourself some targets or goals. For
instance, you might say to yourself, “I will “Rather than that I wasn’t letting any small but tell-tale
inconsistencies creep into the pure technique.
get an act together by next autumn to try to work on
perform in a close up competition in 2015”. half a dozen I found that gradually the speed and precision
This should then set you off on a trail of different moves with which I was able to perform it increased,
exploration as you decide on the broad
types of tricks that you would like to do,
all at the same and this allowed me to focus my practice on
relaxing my entire forearm and to aim for a
and then have all the fun of researching and time, I find it greater level of smoothness.
putting together the sleights/moves needed more beneficial
to create your own versions prior to getting to concentrate Once I was happy with the standard of my
down to the practice itself.
on one at a time. execution of the move, I started to practise
it in the context of some of my favourite card
Keeping your focus on one end game may That way I make routines. Moves are not normally done in
not be that easy, as we are surrounded by quicker progress isolation, and so rehearsal of the double lift as
a lot of bright shiny things in the form of the and my level of part of a complete routine was the next stage
latest tricks and brilliant live performances
from the masters of our craft, but if you can
expertise in the of my personal development with it.

achieve it you will find your progress will be given sleight The ultimate aim is to become so au fait with
sharply accelerated. elevates much the technique that I can perform it well even
faster.” under the pressure of a real performance. Only
DEALING WITH THE then will the end result have been successfully
DOUBLE LIFT achieved and the practice have been
To show you how this has all worked for worthwhile.
me, I’ll give you an example of a path that I RESEARCH BEFORE
have been following for the last year or so. PRACTICE YOUR MISSION, SHOULD
When I was 19 I had the privilege of sitting I realised that the first step would have to be YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT
with the legendary Bro John Hamman who to research the methods already out there in IT...
was looking over my shoulder as I was order to find one that I felt fitted my needs. I So when was the last time that you
performing a double lift. As he watched my realise now that I set about this in a somewhat concentrated in such a focused manner on a
technique, he said words to the effect of muddled way. I studied Greg Wilson’s DVD sleight or move that you like to use? Are you
“that is really bad!”, which made me realise on the topic, Double Take, but while it was happy to settle for second best, or do you
that a move that I had always considered excellent in many ways, most of the time aspire to a higher level of technique? There
fairly straightforward required better I considered the handlings to be rather is no real short cut. You can watch as many
technique than I had appreciated. contrived. DVDs as you want on the relevant subject,
but when you do that you are really just being
Ever since that time, I have always felt that What I should have done right from the passive. You are not training either your brain
the double lift was unfinished business outset is to check on Denis Behr’s fantastic or your hands to do the move, you are simply
for me. My execution of the move was online book cataloguing resource (www. observing someone else doing it.
probably no worse than that achieved by conjuringarchive.com), as this would
95% of other card workers, but that is immediately have alerted me to the fact that So, make notes of salient points as you watch
hardly a defence, since it is a move that I already owned a number of books which it, but then switch it off and get the props in
tends to be massacred more often than it is featured double lift techniques! It might also your hands and start to put in the practice time
finely executed. have led me to read the entertaining essay on that will hopefully make you a master of your
the subject in Jamy Ian Swiss’s book Devious craft. After all, practice does make perfect,
It’s strange really because the aim of a Standards, in which he deals with the question doesn’t it?
good double lift is really simple to explain about exactly what do we mean when we talk
– you need to turn over two cards aligned of a ‘natural’ way to do the move.

ISSUE No. 55 37
 MENTORING

40 MSM MAGAZINE
 MENTORING

MAGICAL
MENTORSHIP
with Johnny Thompson!
T
he goal of the Tony Here is the account of Trevor and
Eng Youth Fund is to Lorena’s week of mentorship under
promote and support Johnny Thompson.
youths as they pursue the art
of magic.
THE EXPERIENCE OF A
LIFE TIME!
We believe that mentorship is an essential In November 2012, Lorena and I were
part of being a magician and that it is vital contacted by Julie Eng, Executive Director of
to form relationships with people with Magicana. She informed us that we were
whom you can learn, grow and exchange selected as recipients of the “Tony Eng Youth
information. Our Tony Eng Educational Fund Educational Bursary”. This particular
Bursary programme is dedicated to bursary includes five days of mentoring with
matching up-and-coming magicians with legendary magician and consultant, Johnny
rich resources and opportunities to help Thompson in Las Vegas Nevada.
jumpstart their career.
As this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to
work with one of the world leaders in magical
Last year, Magicana’s Tony Eng Youth Fund entertainment, we were both shocked and
sponsored a one-week mentorship thrilled for this chance.
programme for Trevor and Lorena Watters
to study and learn from legendary magician
and consultant, Johnny Thompson in
Day 1: Saturday, April 13th
Our morning started off with excitement “Johnny
Las Vegas, Nevada. The couple received
invaluable advice from Mr. Thompson, who
although we were both a little nervous. A
chance to work with the legendary Johnny definitely
graciously accepted them into his home and
gave them the “experience of a lifetime”.
Thompson, WOW!!!
knows how
This particular programme was designed to
Waiting for Johnny’s arrival to the hotel, Lorena
and I set up a few props in our room. We
to turn an
assist young people to form a supportive, were asked to bring a couple of our signature
ordinary
trick into
nurturing and knowledgeable relationship pieces to work with. We met Johnny in
with a veteran magician in order to guide the lobby and with a quick “hello” and a great

something
them on their professional development. big hug, our nervousness quickly vanished. We
were both eager to start working!

hilarious.”
Trevor and Lorena Watters were selected to
be the inaugural recipients of this award as We made our way to our suite, which had
they demonstrate great promise and talent plenty of space for us to run over routines.
as professional entertainers. We started at the dining room table where
Johnny produced some notes he had written
Trevor and Lorena spent five extraordinary after reviewing the DVD we had sent prior From that moment, I realised that this coaching
days with ‘The Great Tomsoni & Company’ to our arrival. After reviewing his notes, was not just improving or learning a
(yes, Pam Thompson also got in on the act, Johnny requested that we start working on new trick–we were going to learn more about
literally!) and along the way, they learned some effects he thought would work well ourselves. This question was easy for
about characters, blocking, staging, stage for us. Johnny definitely knows how to turn Lorena. Having studied theatre arts in high
craft, timing, acting, storytelling and much an ordinary trick into something hilarious. school and college, she already knew the
more! And, as an added bonus, they were He started off by asking us a very important type of character she wanted to portray on
also invited to see some of Las Vegas’s top question: “How do you see yourself on stage, stage; she always loved the characters of
acts. or better yet, who are you on stage?” Lucille Ball and Carol Brunette.

ISSUE No. 55 41
 MENTORING

that this discussion was challenging for me.

It is difficult to hear that an effect you have
performed countless times and thought
was good is needless and one should
rethink the routine or remove it. However,
after reflecting on the advice regarding this
it will be easy for Lorena and myself to rid
ourselves of past practices and focus more
on moving our performance in the right
direction.

Day 3: Monday, April 15th

We woke up early so we could pick up
supplies for the day’s session. We needed
to create a few things so we could practise
our new routines. Although there was a
Home Depot and a Dollar Store by our
hotel, we couldn’t build everything. Luckily
for us, Johnny has some amazing friends
who loaned us the props we needed.
Gary Darwin supplied us with a beautiful
blooming rose bush and Norm Nielson also
provided us with some great props. Thank
you to these two wonderful individuals.
The creation of one effect required me to
“Johnny’s input has given us an opportunity spray paint a small piece of pipe to make it
to add more magic into this routine. He also look like a candlestick. I had to do this on
our hotel bathroom floor with newspapers
provided additional insight pertaining to spread everywhere! Can you imagine what
originality and motivation in our personal the hotel staff would’ve thought if they’d
seen this?
stage performances.”
When Johnny arrived we quickly got the
ball rolling. We worked more intensely on
As for me, the question was more complex. awards and places that illustrated the history of the structure of our 30 minute performance.
Performing for over a decade, it is strange Johnny & Pam’s experiences and travels. There At the end of our session, Johnny asked
that I never thought of, or even asked was even a pair of boxing gloves from a world if we would be interested in seeing Penn
myself, this question. It became clear that in champion boxer Joe Lewis! & Teller’s show that evening. Lorena and I
order to take us to the next level, I needed were very excited and accepted Johnny’s
to spend more time identifying my stage It was a fantastic night of tasty food, great offer. The next thing we knew, Johnny was
persona. conversation and unforgettable memories. on the phone sorting us the best seats in
Lorena wanted to add that she fell in love with the house for one of the best magic shows
We conversed on this issue for some time. both Pearl and Grace. in Las Vegas!
We then moved onto the topic of ‘Creating
a Proper Structure for our Performance’. As Day 2: Sunday, April 14th Day 4: Tuesday, April 15th
most of our engagements were based We first started off by critiquing our opening On Tuesday, our day with Johnny started
around 30 minutes, we decided to focus on routine. This included our Siegfried & Roy later in the evening as he works with Penn
a solid 30-minute performance. ‘Golden Lions Head’ award winning act. & Teller during the day. To fill the time,
Johnny’s input has given us an opportunity Johnny had arranged for us to watch Mac
Our conversation went on into the late to add more magic into this routine. He also King’s show.
afternoon. I was amazed at the insight of provided additional insight pertaining to
Johnny’s experiences and suggestions in originality and motivation in our personal stage We have seen Mac perform in the past but
developing a sound performance. performances. his show is always hilarious. It was even
more fun since we were selected by Mac
After, Lorena and I were invited to have We discussed our on stage activity and magic to help him on stage for his ‘Cloak of
dinner with Johnny and Pam (Johnny’s wife) routines. Johnny suggested that all our magic Invisibility’ routine.
in their home. On arrival, just like Johnny, should be related and that by sticking to this
Pam welcomed us with open arms and a type of routine, we would form a storyline to It was an honour to watch and later talk
huge hug. We instantly hit it off! We also be followed rather than a number of magic with Mac who is such a wonderful man.
met Pearl and Grace, two of the cutest moments that just happen one after another. Lorena wanted to add she got her
Chihuahuas you could ever meet. “Lunchbox-O-Magic” signed too!
We discussed pieces of magic that did not
Walking into their home, we were in have a desirable effect in our show, or what We arrived back at our hotel and received a
wonderment of the numerous pictures, would be referred to as ‘filler’. I have to admit phone call from Johnny to say that he had

42 MSM MAGAZINE
 MENTORING

just finished up with Penn and Teller and was designer with whom we placed an order. She
on his way over. This guy never stops! was an amazing lady who is super talented.
He arrived at the hotel room and we spent As we finished off the day, Lorena and I invited
some time talking about the past two shows Johnny and Pam out for dinner. They
we had just seen. We discussed what we chose one of their favourite locations and I
enjoyed in their performances. must say the food was great. Pam surprised
our server when he realised that Pearl & Grace
After our conversation we continued to work were sitting on either side of her. If only I
on our performance. This was Lorena’s had taken a picture of his face!
chance to shine as we concentrated on her
solo performance. Johnny assisted Lorena We arrived back at Pam and Johnny’s place
in showcasing her body language as well as for some desert- apple pie and ice cream!
her visual emotions while performing her Afterwards, we continued our conversation Der der der der der der duhhhhh!
silent routine. At one point we took a small
break and all three of us started to practise
and moved into the living room where Johnny
suggested we watch a DVD of Channing LIKE A BAT
making comedy faces in the mirror. This was
funny, and scary at the same time! Lorena
Pollock before asking if I was interested in
learning the correct method of producing a OUTTA HELL!
had this down but I found that I needed to dove. I jumped at the opportunity! Johnny
relax more and not force the faces and soon had me in his tux with silks in hand. Each issue we ask a well-
emotions out. known magic creator to tell
After my dove lesson, we moved to a different us about their best-ever
After a few hours of working on our routine subject- makeup! Neither one of us was selling product. One that flew
with Johnny, he received a call from Mike aware that Johnny is a trained makeup artist. off the shelves ‘like a bat out
Hammer, who invited us all down to see his We sat down and Johnny shared with us of hell!’
show. the importance and the proper application of
show makeup. In listening to him, I came Paul Hallas says:
We piled into Johnny’s Cadillac and headed to realise that this is a lesson every stage I would have loved to have answered the query
down to Fremont Street. Mike’s show was magician should have. This discussion took as to which trick or book of mine had been the
hilarious and had everyone in the audience us late into the evening, and we realised our best seller by answering that they had all sold
roaring and laughing. time together was coming to an end. equally well, or that the profits from just one
of them had allowed me to retire and move to
After his show we had an opportunity to We said our goodbyes and promised to stay in the U.S.A. But that would be in some alternate
meet and talk with Mike. He was very nice touch via emails, phone calls and lots of reality. Several of my packet effects have been
and we enjoyed the quick conversation online video for Johnny to review. Lorena and I through a re-print but...
we had with him. As we were saying our were honoured as Johnny and Pam referred to
goodbyes, Mike commented to us, “You us as their ‘kids’! Lorena was quiet most of the I think it would be safe to say that the best
guys are working with the master!” way back and I knew she was getting a little selling effect of mine over the years is most
choked up. I’ve got to be honest, I was too. likely “ESPecially Wild”.
We returned back to our hotel and discuss
the evening’s performance and planned for This experience was by far one of the The effect is a two phase version of Peter
the next day before rounding off the night highlights of our magical career. Kane’s classic ‘Wild Card” with ESP cards
with some great room service, over which which involves a divination of a symbol, and
Johnny shared some amazing stories of his Lorena and I are now back in Vancouver. then all the cards apparently change into the
years in Vegas. Johnny really is a master in After these amazing five days with Johnny, freely selected symbol. I created it in the mid
the entertainment industry and a fantastic we now have a clear vision of who we are on eighties. Meir Yedid was tipped off about it
individual. stage and the direction our act will take us. by Steve Schneiderman who used to edit a
We cannot thank Johnny enough for all that he magazine called “Ruminations” and he showed
Day 5: Wednesday, April 16th has taught us and a special thanks to Pam for interest in buying the manufacturing rights
As Lorena and I woke up in the morning, it opening up their home to us. from me, which he finally did when we met at
was an emotional and difficult time for both a magic convention in Spain. Meir released
of us as we came to the realisation that this We are so honoured to have made friends with the effect on Fox Lake card stock and added
was our final day with Johnny. such incredible individuals and hope to see coloured symbols. It was a big hit in the U.S.
them again soon! at the national I.B.M. and S.A.M. conventions
Johnny arrived early and we got to work right the year he released it. I believe there was a
away. We would also like to give a big, big thank you quick reprint with Fox Lake cards and then
to Julie Eng and Magicana for giving us there have been several reprints on Bicycle
After a bit of time and hard work, Lorena and such an amazing opportunity and lifetime card stock. When Paul Daniels used it on his
I, with Johnny’s mentoring had produced experience. You and your organisation are TV show I’m sure that would have increased
a solid structure for a 30 minute truly magical and we will never forget your sales in the UK. Like any number of successful
performance. Johnny was also instrumental kindness, generosity and the opportunity tricks it got pirated (I only found out a few years
in assisting us with a few simple steps in that you chose to bestow on us. Our final back a pirated version had been sold in France)
upping that to a 90 minute show. appreciation is to Tony Eng, without whom but the official version is still produced to this
this would never have been possible. day by Meir Yedid and costs $20. It’s a strong
Johnny later took us to meet a costume Thanks Tony, with love. trick. It doesn’t need any hype.

ISSUE No. 55 43
 DEALER’S BOOTH

THE DEALER’S
BOOTH PROPDOG
FEATURING
Mark Leveridge
always been someone who has a facility for
coming up with new twists and slants, so
he saw the potential for becoming a magic
supplier more for the distant future than the
present. However, events started to take on
a momentum of their own, as he explains.

“I really enjoyed the inventing side of

magic and thought it would make a great
retirement plan. I’d never wanted to be a
performer as a pensioner, so it made sense
to me to use my skills making things during
the day, when I wasn’t performing, to build
a business I could retire into.

“I sold my items through a website, but I

also started adding a few other items that
I had sourced too. The idea was to raise
a little extra cash to help finance the new
equipment and machinery I needed to
speed up existing practices and to make
better props. These sales also became more
and more popular and so I started creating a

W
hen I was first setting myself up than many to call himself a magic dealer. bigger range. Before I knew it, I had a small
as a magic dealer back in the Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Dave Bonsall business and was kind of a dealer!
late 1970’s there were relatively and his business, Propdog.
few magic suppliers around. And when a “By 2012, I was starting to feel a little
new-kid-on-the-block did arrive, it tended Dave himself has been interested in magic ‘stale’ on the performing side. I was getting
to be someone, like myself at that time, since he was a child and in his late teens and tired of travelling and was no longer feeling
who had a load of ideas and who started early twenties he was especially fascinated challenged at my work. So the decision
gradually to produce and sell those by stage manipulation - in fact at one point was made to take on a new challenge and
moments of inspiration until it became a he even worked up a dove act. But as he got become a proper dealer/manufacturer and
proper business. older he started to enjoy the intimacy and PropDog Ltd was born. It was something
interaction of commercial close up and as I could finally get my teeth into and really
These days, this route to a dealership is much he became ever busier, in 2002 he took the work hard at.”
rarer. With the power of the internet just a few plunge and went full time. This has given him
clicks away, a large number of people have huge performing experience, as he explains. So now Dave had an official channel
taken the plunge into selling magic online, and through which he could funnel his ideas
today it is possible to almost instantly create “I’m lucky enough to have travelled the world and in which he could use his prop
an apparently large business by acting as a as a magician and performed in every possible making skills, but behind all these practical
magic retailer, someone who simply buys in environment and to all kinds of people from all elements Dave was also formulating a
and sells on the vast array of products which walks of life, from African Tribesmen in Tanzania range of USPs that he hoped would help
are available via the magic wholesalers. There’s to movie stars and millionaires in the Middle to make PropDog a trusted supplier.
nothing wrong with this approach, but it East. I’ve even been lucky enough to perform
does tend to mean that there is often little to in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen at “PropDog has many USPs. Firstly, it’s our
differentiate between one supplier and another. Buckingham Palace!” customer service. I like to think we go way
above and beyond the call of duty as a
So, it is with particular pleasure that I am able Although while a regular performer Dave never dealer and would much rather take a loss
to turn the spotlight on someone who has really set out to be a magic dealer, he had than have an unhappy customer. I’ve often
gone about things in the ‘old fashioned’ way, always enjoyed making custom props both for spent hours upon hours helping or advising
and I would suggest is therefore better qualified himself and occasionally for others, and he has a customer or fixing or making something

44 MSM MAGAZINE
 WELCOME...
DEALER’S BOOTH

for little or no profit. The world of magic now be let off the leash (pun intended!). With we haven’t just stolen his idea? So magicians,
is a very small community and service is the increased facilities for manufacture now please, please don’t just email us an idea!”
everything, yet something which I find is available to him, Dave is able to take on the
truly lacking these days! production not only of more in-house products, Dave is clearly a man with a conscience, which
but also of one-off commissions for customers. bodes well for anyone looking to get involved
“Another USP we have is that I come from with him and his company. In fact, this also
a professional performing background, so I Using his lifelong facility for creativity, Dave is becomes apparent when you see how he replied
know what works and what doesn’t in the starting to be able to turn his many ideas into when I asked him to sum up in one sentence
real performing world. I’ve always said that marketable realities. But PropDog is not just a why customers should do business with him.
PropDog won’t sell anything that I wouldn’t vehicle for Dave’s own creative output, as he
be willing to perform myself! is also very interested in hearing from others “We put our customers first and don’t just
who have ideas that they want to bring to the offer products, we offer good old fashioned
“Another USP is on the website side of marketplace too. Dave explains how he likes to customer service (…and great coffee!), we offer
things. We photograph nearly every product work with outside inventors. genuine advice and if we don’t think a product
ourselves and take each photo from as would be suitable for a customer, we’ll tell
many different angles as possible, close “We have several arrangements we can offer them, even if it means losing the sale.”
up and with size comparisons, so you can the inventor. We can buy the idea outright; we
clearly see what you’re buying. All too often, can make just the prototype for them so they It’s great to see someone with Dave’s drive
dealers all have the same, low resolution, can have it mass produced elsewhere; we can and enthusiasm coming into the magic
out of focus image - it’s a pet hate of mine.” manufacture the product in bulk and sell the marketplace, and PropDog is clearly going to
lot to the inventor; or we can manufacture in be one to watch both in the near and more
It’s true to say that virtually all magic start- bulk and release it and pay a percentage of distant future. Dave is clearly excited about the
up companies will only consider trading profits to the inventor. We’re always happy to path ahead...
online and via mail order. The idea of negotiate the right deal to suit.”
setting up a bricks and mortar shop is “We have so, so many exciting plans for
a risk and an expense that would never
enter their heads. Not so our Dave! Yes he “We have so, so the future, and we’re limited not by our
imagination, but by our bank balance!!
started off using his house to work from, many exciting The world of manufacturing is changing

plans for the

but very quickly the entire building became dramatically and things that wouldn’t have
stuffed with props and equipment and it been possible to make in the past, due to
reached a point where work and home had
blended together in a claustrophobic and
future, and technology or cost, can now be easily made.
This is due to inventions like 3D scanning and
unsatisfactory way. we’re limited printing, laser cutting, plus breakthroughs in

It was at this point that Dave took the not by our plastics and polymer technologies. Electronics
and microchips are getting smaller and even
momentous decision to move the business
out of the home and into proper premises,
imagination, more advanced. The problem is trying to keep
up with it all. Once we’re fully up to speed,
thus bucking the general trend. Dave but by our bank I plan to start PropDog’s sister company
explains his thinking on this.
balance!!” PropPuppy which will specialise in creating up
to date props and gimmicks for the children’s
“In July last year, I rented a business unit entertainment industry.”
and spent 3 months renovating it myself This highly flexible arrangement is ideal for both
to save money. I needed a business unit those who have just the one idea they want to Well, I hope this feature has given all our
rather than a shop as the manufacturing market, or for someone who simply needs a readers some ‘paws’ for thought. Dave is
side of the business is a major thing, so I prototype or custom made prop constructed obviously ‘barking’ up the right tree when it
needed space. I also wanted something for their show, or indeed for someone looking comes to his new business, and it won’t be
close to home to cut down on commuting, to create perhaps a range of saleable items long before he has ‘tails’ of many successes to
but this meant extortionate business rates, through PropDog. But Dave has a few words tell. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise if inventors
which are especially high in London. of warning for those who might wish to enquire started to ‘hound’ him for his help, which in
about teaming up with PropDog... turn will ‘lead’ to more great product releases.
“So with the mounting expenses, I knew it It’s clear that Dave won’t be putting his feet up
would make sense to have both a bricks and “WE MUST WARN MAGICIANS THOUGH, and getting his PropDog to bring him his pipe,
mortar shop as well as the online presence, PLEASE DON’T JUST EMAIL US WITH YOUR slippers and newspaper just yet.
especially as there were no other shops in IDEAS!!! This is a serious problem that can
the West London area, unless you wanted really hurt us. For example, say magician Joe
to go all the way into central London. So the Bloggs comes to us with a really unique idea
unit, which has a manufacturing workshop and writes it all down in an email to us. The
downstairs and a shop and magicians’ problem occurs if we’ve already thought of
chill out area upstairs, has been open for that idea and are either making it or planning
business for around 4 months now and is to make it. What happens now? Well we can
going from strength to strength.” no longer make this as Joe Bloggs will just Unit 8, Mill Farm Business Park
think we have stolen his creation. If we tell him Millfield Road, Hanworth
With the increased space and freedom that we can’t make it because we are already TW4 5PY. 020 8894 3410
afforded by the new venue, PropDog could planning to make it, how does he know that [email protected]. www.propdog.co.uk

ISSUE No.
No. 55 45
 LIVE REVIEWS

SMOKE AND
MIRRORS BAR,
BRISTOL
Saturday 18th January 2014

I
f you see John Archer’s name on John’s own version of the classic Just Chance
the bill of a show you know you are routine which he featured on the Penn and
guaranteed a great night out. Even Teller show last year follows, with all the fast
if you don’t know him, once he steps paced lines and gags which turn an old mental
on stage it doesn’t take long before trick into a feature comedy routine!
you realise you are in the hands of an
experienced professional and you are Next various members of the audience shake
going to have a good time. Add to that a dice in a cup and remember the number
some pretty amazing mentalism and that’s only for John to read the minds of all four and
got to be worth £20 of anybody’s money - correctly name the number they are thinking
except here you can get in for a little more of. In his hands, this inevitably leads to much
than half that - as long as you booked fun in finding out about the spectators that
early of course, as a packed house again lifts what otherwise could be a humdrum
eagerly awaited his first return visit since mental routine.
the opening night in October 2012.
To end the first half a £20 note is sealed in
John’s enormous personality drives the material an envelope and mixed with 3 others for
with a spontaneous off the cuff style of patter, Seabrooke’s burnt note routine although not Bill Abbot’s celebrity version of ‘Smart
although most of the lines no doubt will have ending up in the usual odd looking Le Paul Arse’ followed with a spectator discarding
been ‘spontaneously’ used many times. Helping wallet. Only four routines but nearly an hour of half the pack each time until it consists
him to keep the material fresh is his constant entertainment ended the first half. of just three cards. One of these is then
use of spectators for most of the routines chosen and is shown first to match via
and since every spectator is different, John’s To start the second half the Ukulele came out the Baby Gag Prediction, but then finally
handling of each one has to vary every night. again for what nearly seemed like a complete a real matching picture of the celebrity is
song (the Lazy Man’s Blues), but after a well produced.
John opened with that hardy of all perennials, formed intro, the gag came at the end of the first
the 6 Card Repeat, a trick that has started off line! Back to the mentalism with emotional tales To end, John sang a lovely version
so many acts, and it works as well for John from the ESP Testing lab in Buffalo New York of ‘Crazy’ and another 40 minutes of
as anyone. Curiously this leads into a short and three pictures drawn by audience members comedic mental magic came to an end.
ukulele gag showing that he has some well copied by John despite coins and endless duct Ukulele songs and mentalism, now that’s
honed musical skills on the ‘Uke’. tape being used as a solid blindfold. got to be a first! PP

46 MSM MAGAZINE
 JOHN STYLES

JOHN STYLES
A FUNNY WAY TO MAKE A LIVING (PART ONE)

T
hroughout the centuries,
many allied arts have been
associated with the world of
conjuring. Included in this list of variety
entertainments are such ancient
amusements as rag pictures, hand
shadows, chapeaugraphy, and of course,
Punch & Judy.

Over the years, many conjurors such as Al

Flosso, Percy Press and Jay Marshall, just to
name a few, offered Punch & Judy puppet
shows as part of their repertoires. Some of
our younger magicians might be surprised to
learn that the legendary magician and escape
artiste, Harry Houdini, performed Punch &
Judy while he and Bess trouped with the
Welsh Brother Circus, circa 1895. Veteran
magic historians might be startled to find
out that Howard Thurston, one of America’s
greatest stage illusionists, also presented this
famous puppet play while he was with Col.
Goshen’s Carnival of Novelties.

Although today we rarely hear about Punch & “Many collectors rank John’s
Judy in the U.S., Mr. Punch is far from being
declared dead. Ryan Howard, a retired art Punch collection as one of the
professor from the University of Kentucky,
recently released his latest tome, Punch & Judy largest in the world.”
in 19th Century America. His work sheds a new
light on the hundreds of pioneer Punch & Judy
operators – most of whom were magicians – British Ring of the IBM, and England’s foremost Queen invited him to Buckingham Palace
who staged these popular puppet productions leading exponent of this world famous puppet where he was bestowed the prestigious
on riverboats and in circus sideshows, dime show. M.B.E. (Member of the British Empire)
museums, vaudeville, and other venues award. Created by King George VI during
between the years 1800 and 1912. If you ever have the pleasure of meeting World War I, this award acknowledges
John Styles, you’ll instantly understand why distinguished services and is given to
Last year also marked Mr. Punch’s 350th his peers regard him as a consummate individuals whose achievements reflect
birthday. Huge celebrations took place all over performer. In addition to being a gifted comedy favourably upon the United Kingdom.
the UK. One spot of particular importance is magician who specialises in close-up magic John merited the award for his services to
St. Paul’s Church, situated in London’s historic for corporate clients, compere (masters of the arts, particularly his performances of
Covent Garden. It was here on May 9, 1662, ceremonies), and children’s birthday parties, Punch & Judy.
that Samuel Pepys (pronounced “peeps”), an he’s also a ventriloquist and puppeteer
English naval administrator and Member of extraordinaire. And, with more than 60 years’ It probably won’t come as a surprise then,
Parliament, attended the performance of an experience, he feels right at home presenting that his Sidcup, Kent, residence resembles
Italian puppet play: “. . . the best I ever saw,” his traditional style British Punch & Judy show a mini-museum. Every square inch of
as he noted in his diary. It featured a hook- anywhere – from pubs to palaces, to beaches available space in his foyer, dining room,
nosed, half-masked amusing clown puppet, and Broadway, and from house parties to sitting room, kitchen, upstairs bedrooms,
“Pollicinella” or “Punchinello,” undoubtedly Hollywood. hallways, and yes, even the toilets, are
Punch’s ancestor. The rest, they say, is history. festooned with hundreds of photos, prints,
And no entertainer knows more about that His enviable list of clients has included The engravings, and collectibles telling the
history and has kept the spirit of Mr. Punch Beatles, Steven Spielberg, Roman Polanski, fascinating story of Punch’s progress over
alive than John Styles, Gold-Star member of Tom Hanks, Sir Roger Moore, Robert the last few centuries. Many collectors
the Inner Magic Circle, Past President of the Zemeckis, and Marty Feldman. In 2004, the rank John’s Punch collection as one of

48 MSM MAGAZINE
 JOHN STYLES

the largest in the world. Jay Marshall as Gamages and Hamley’s. And of course,
was certainly no slacker when it came they frequented the local magic depots:
to collecting Punch & Judy memorabilia. Davenports, Max Andrews, and Harry Stanley’s
(Jay had a huge antique Punch & Judy Unique Magic Studio.
collection that was auctioned by Leslie
Hindman Auctioneers in 2007 after his All during this time, John kept hearing the
death.) When Jay saw John’s collection, he name Oscar Oswald (ne’ Cuthbert Alfred
said it absolutely “destroyed him.” Games Quantrill), who in his prior life had been
a police court jailer and part-time children’s
Perhaps the only collection that might rival entertainer. Many of Oscar’s magic colleagues
John’s belongs to actor Dustin Hoffman, regarded him as one of the leading children’s
a reportedly secret Punch fanatic. (The entertainers of the day. Word spread that
actor’s film company is called Punch Oscar gave discounts to members of magic
Productions.) societies. So off John went.

So how did a young boy with an interest John remembers ringing the doorbell, waiting,
in entertainment and no show business and then hearing footsteps. Oscar, an Oliver
lineage become the successor to Percy Hardy type character with a big round face and
Press Sr., the king of Punch & Judy men? rosy checks, opened the door and ushered the
young magician down the steps. The first room
Let’s start at the beginning. was a stockroom much like Aladdin’s Cave. It
had a stone floor and wooden benches. With
John’s father was a gas fitter and his the exception of one antique glass cabinet
mother occasionally worked in local that contained old Victorian conjuring effects,
factories producing military equipment everything else cascaded down from various
during World War ll. Growing up in East odd kitchen tables and shelves. Oscar’s
London in Walthamstow, John remembers “Magical Mart” was a mixture of magic tricks,
how gloomy everything was immediately marionettes, juggling props, ventriloquist
following the war years. Men wore dark dummies, Punch & Judy dolls, and anything
suits, houses and cars lacked the variety else you could think of. In some ways it was
of colours they have today, and everything the British equivalent of Al Flosso’s New York
around him was dull and dreary. It was magic shop.
somewhat reminiscent of the first part
of the classic film, The Wizard of Oz, Oscar always allowed magicians to rummage
where everything is in black and white and play around with props. If you picked up
until Dorothy’s arrival in Munchkinland. an object and asked, “What does this do?”
However, the colour in John’s life – the Oscar asked, “What type of act do you do?”
escapism – came whenever he visited If you responded “children’s entertainment,”
the Walthamstow Palace, a local theatre. he’d reply, “Oh, that’s great for a children’s
As the orchestra played, he watched entertainer.” If you responded “Compere,” the
in anticipation as the curtains parted, magic dealer said the prop was perfect for that.
revealing the spectacle of the theatre,
dancing girls, and of course magicians As John was buying his first magic trick, Oscar
such as Chefalo, Jasper Maskelyne, Shek asked, “Is this for you?” Other than Oscar and
Ben Ali, Chris Charlton, and The Great Lyle. his friend Arthur Drayson – who sat toward could possibly be a bank manager. So when
the back of the shop sending out parcels John approached his Dad about this rare
Like many curious schoolboys during that and handling the accounts – John was the opportunity to work in a magic shop, Mr.
time, John had a fondness for magic. only person in the room. Oscar kindly offered Styles was dead set against it. John’s mother,
Magician Harold Taylor was on the bill one John a discount, and the young magician however, who frequently had to accompany
evening and John wandered backstage left thinking he was quite special. Obviously, her son whenever he performed at the local
after the show to ask for an autograph. Oscar had taking a liking to him. Months later youth clubs, convinced her husband to change
“Are you a member of a magic club?” the John realised that Oscar used that ploy on his mind. So from 1951 to 1953, John worked
magician asked the youngster. When John practically every customer. for Oscar Oswald’s magical emporium at 79
said, “No,” the performer advised him to York St., London, right off Sherlock Holmes’
join the student section of the London Gradually John became a regular, and one Baker Street.
Society of Magicians – and John did. day Oscar said, “I’m looking for a young
Under the direction of George Wallman, man about your age to help me, and if you As it turned out, it was a wonderful period in
the club met once a month in London’s know of anyone, please let me know.” At that John’s life, mostly because of the professional
Gray’s Inn Road and various adult point, John was 16 years old and his father entertainers who gathered there every
members gave talks on different aspects was very pleased that his son worked at an Thursday afternoon for a cup of tea: the
of show business: children’s entertainment, office. Whereas every day John went to work aspiring David Nixon, the yet-to-be famous
handling animals, cabaret, and stage work. in a clean shirt, his father came home every Tommy Cooper, Percy Press Senior, Robert
Inspired, the young wizards rushed out and night covered in cobwebs and exhausted Harbin, Al Koran, Edwin Hooper (founder of
purchased magic tricks from firms such from manual labour. He thought his son the Supreme Magic Company), and visiting

ISSUE No. 55 49
 JOHN STYLES

Living near Epping Forest, John frequented the surprised when the London Bus Garage
woodsy area to practise the swazzle, which is invited him back the following year.
sometimes referred to as the “Punch whistle”
or “Punch reed” in the U.S. The swazzle is Several months later John realised what
a small device made of metal and tape that a tremendous service Oscar did for him.
the performer puts in his mouth and speaks When it was time for John to enlist for his
through in order to create the shrill voice of Mr. two years in the National Service – where
Punch. It was here that John practised he joined the Royal Army Pay Corps –
Mr. Punch’s catchphrase, “That’s the way to do the officers saw that he was a magician,
it” over and over again. Not only did this strange ventriloquist, and puppeteer. This worked

“John nearly swallowed the swazzle, the

wooden baby puppet landed on its head
when it fell off the shelf, and the slapstick
accidentally dropped inside the puppet
booth.”
magicians like Jay Marshall, Channing Pollock, sound frighten the birds in the trees, but all the out to his advantage. The army now had
and Jay Palmer & Doreen, who worked the couples courting in the grass. Eventually, John a Punch & Judy man, and John was given
local cabarets and the London Palladium. In mastered the use of the swazzle. preferential treatment, much like that
addition to publishing The Magical Digest, afforded to the professional footballers
Oscar was a lot of fun, quite charming and There’s an old tale that says you’re not a (soccer players), rugby players, and
well-respected in the magic community. He true Punch & Judy man until you’ve actually chefs. John spent the next two years of
could at times be rude with the professionals, swallowed a swazzle. Years later John was his National Service entertaining at Army
especially if he felt they were wasting his time. on TV being interviewed by presenter Michael concert parties and various military affairs
Still, they all came in to see Oscar, who was Aspel, who wanted to know all about the with magic and Punch & Judy.
often running off to work children’s parties. history of the show and Mr. Punch’s voice.
Unbeknownst to Michael, John spoke with The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth ll
One day Oscar said to John, “I’ve taken a the director beforehand and arranged to have occurred while he was still in the service,
booking for you.” John said, “Oh, thank you,” Michael ask if John ever swallowed one of the and John was getting many requests to
to which Oscar replied, “It’s Punch & Judy.” devices – and could Michael himself have a try perform at London street parties. During
John was shocked. The reluctant recruit told with one. During John’s swazzle demonstration, one of these events, an attractive young
Oscar he didn’t know anything about Punch Michael said, “That’s amazing, have you ever lady offered to help carry his cases to the
& Judy and wasn’t interested. Oscar was very swallowed one of these?” John responded, bus stop. Some 60 years later, John’s wife,
forceful and insisted that John learn how to “Oh, yes.” Collecting his thoughts, Michael Barbara, was still carrying John’s magic
perform the show. said, “Well, what happens?” The magician props to some of his performances.
responded, “Well, actually, you eat a lot of plum
Trying to get out of this engagement, John told pudding and then leave the rest to nature.” At After leaving the Army in 1954, John
Oscar, “Look, I don’t even have the puppets.” this point Michael said, “Do you think I could worked as a semi-professional. At the time
Oscar pointed to a fit-up (puppet theatre) and a have a go at this?” John always carried a few he mainly performed at children’s birthday
set of dolls and said, “You can have the entire spare swazzles in his pockets and handed parties. Most mothers wanted entertainers
lot for five pounds.” (A real deal, since back one to the interviewer. After a failed attempt, to stay at their child’s party for as long
then, each puppet typically cost five pounds.) Michael said, “You said that you’ve actually as possible, and an hour of magic alone
John told Oscar he couldn’t afford it, but swallowed one of these?” John responded, could get tedious for younger children. So
Oscar was relentless and told him he’d stop a “Yes, that one!” The horrified look on Michael eventually John added other things, like
half a crown out of his wages each week until Aspel’s face was priceless! Of course, John let balloon modelling and party games. Even
everything was paid. him in on the joke moments later. though he had the wherewithal to offer
variety entertainments, his main goal was
Because John didn’t even know the story, John’s first Punch & Judy show was a baptism to create a 12-minute magic act in order to
Oscar invited him to an upcoming birthday by fire. He wasn’t driving at that time and the play variety.
party to see his magic and Punch & Judy act. group that hired him, the London Bus Garage,
With the back of the puppet booth completely sent a private double-decker bus to get him. Unfortunately, vaudeville was waning. The
open, John could see exactly how the show Other than the driver, John was the only variety theatres of the 1950s were on their
worked. The young magician just stared in passenger on the bus. He was so nervous that last legs. However, he wanted to try his
amazement; he had never seen anything quite his knees were knocking. Everything seemed hand at some of these venues, which had
like this. John was astonished at how this to go wrong in performance, too. John nearly started to feature strip shows. John’s first
tubby man moved about so gracefully inside swallowed the swazzle, the wooden baby variety booking was at the Theatre Royal
the puppet cabinet without knocking any dolls puppet landed on its head when it fell off the in Stratford. On the bill with him were the
on the floor. Oscar clearly enjoyed performing shelf, and the slapstick accidentally dropped “Nudes of Montmartre.” Back then nudes
the show, and the audience greatly enjoyed inside the puppet booth. None of that had weren’t allowed to move on stage. A voice
Oscar’s presentation. But more importantly, happened during rehearsals. John’s first over the sound system said, “Autumn,”
John greatly enjoyed the experience. Punch booking was a bit of a disaster; he was and the curtains parted to reveal a naked

50 MSM MAGAZINE
 JOHN STYLES

woman standing on a tiny tableau, with They wanted him to wear a masquerade in
leaves strategically placed on her person. order to disguise his youth. Donning a false
After the curtains closed, the announcer moustache, old raincoat, wig, and cap, John
said, “Tennis,” and the curtains opened performed many jokes he had used in the
again to reveal another woman, this one Army. (“Do you save wicked women? Yes.
holding a tennis racket over her private Well save one for me!”) Later, he added a
parts. The young and impressionable John guardsman uniform, which eventually led to
Styles, waiting in the stage wings, found his comical Chelsea Pensioner’s act, which
the whole experience quite educational. has become extremely popular at banquets,
In the post war years, a number of local corporate events, and variety shows.
councils presented “holidays at home”
shows in the parks during the summer. Up until the late 1950s, John had a steady
Apart from their local theatres, many job working for the National Coal Board.
councils had community town halls that With bookings piling up, he was using his
frequently sponsored fundraisers for leave, sick time, and weekends for shows.
various disaster relief funds. In the pre- Sometimes he would even sneak off during
television days there were also Saturday his summer lunch hour to perform shows in
evening shows. So there was still a lot of the park. The tipping point came when his
adult work to be found. show poster appeared on the wall outside
his manager’s office the day prior to John
John joined a concert party, which had him planning to call in sick. It was at this moment
running all over while performing evening that his Barbara persuaded him to leave his
shows at many London parks. His fee was job and become a professional entertainer. As
one British pound per show. There were to be expected, there were lean times along
about eight people in the cast, including a the way, especially when the couple’s two
tenor, an accordionist, a magician, and a sons were born. But before long, bookings
comedian. Learning how to work outdoors started rolling in and John never looked back.
– with airplanes flying overhead and dogs
barking in the background – proved to be His big break in show business came when
a valuable experience. the well-known British comedian Marty
Feldman spotted his work during filming of his students were Jude Law and Sir Roger
There were also Sunday concerts at the the popular British TV series, The Avengers. Moore, of James Bond fame. John created
seaside, many of which featured celebrities At that time Feldman was doing sketches for magical effects for Sam Neill as Merlin and
and other supporting acts. During that the BBC; because of his unusual appearance, taught Ron Moody (Oscar winner for his
era, John worked with some name acts the comedian wanted to play the part of Mr. role as Fagin in the musical version of Oliver)
that could pack a theatre. There were big Punch. how to pick pockets for a part he played on
entertainers such as Frankie Vaughan, Keen Eddie. Moreover, John frequently gets
Petula Clark, and Tommy Trinder. Tommy John was called in as a technical advisor. After calls from film directors who need advice on
was a gifted individual and a master at ad- the recording Feldman asked John to perform technical magic issues.
libbing. John remembers asking if he was his Punch & Judy act at a cast party. Several
ever stuck for a line. Tommy said there had TV executives approached the magician For example, he had a challenging request for
been one occasion – when he worked with afterward and when they asked if there was a British Gas commercial. The firm needed
comedian “Monsewer” Eddie Gray, of the any particular show he was interested in, him to make an oversized balloon dog out of
famous British “Crazy Gang.” Apparently John immediately blurted out, Play School. several large balloons. When completed, he
Eddie asked Tommy if he’d help him with a The show was the British equivalent to said, “It’s a dog.” Then, all the balloons had to
joke later that evening. Eddie said, “When Sesame Street, and it was also the BBC pop simultaneously, except one long balloon
I’m on stage tonight, would you come prime-time TV programme his two children that the entertainer held up while delivering the
out and ask me what I had for breakfast watched at home. line, “a sausage dog.”
this morning?” Continuing, Eddie said,
“I’ll say, ‘haddock,’ and you’ll ask ‘Was Within a week John had a call from the Play Another time, an actor needed to show his
it a Finnan?’ And I’ll reply, ‘No, it was a School TV producers at the BBC Television hands completely empty and then produce
Thick’un.’” Tommy didn’t think the joke Centre and that was the beginning of a very a coin from a child’s ear. John demonstrated
was particularly funny, but he consented pleasant TV relationship. This show led to a method and the director was delighted
to do this for his friend nonetheless. On other appearances on British TV programmes with the overall effect. However, when the
cue Tommy walked out on stage and called Playaway, Rainbow and Cracker Jack, director decided to shoot the scene close up,
said, “Hello Eddie, what did you have for where he performed items from his repertoire the misdirection didn’t look quite right when
breakfast this morning?” Eddie replied, including magic, balloon modelling, paper viewed through the camera lens. John solved
“Cornflakes.” For the first time in his life, tearing, and puppetry. the problem by simply sticking the coin behind
Tommy Trinder was speechless. the child’s ear with “Blu Tack” silly putty.
Over the years John has done much work
These old pros were very interesting to for the cinema. When he isn’t performing his Mark Walker is the author of The Master
work with, as they had been in the business celebrated Punch & Judy act, his hands often Illusionists and Ghostmasters. A very special
their entire lives. Once, John was asked to substitute for actors who need to perform thanks to Geoff Felix, Ryan Howard, and Derek
introduce an old-time music hall sequence. difficult sleight-of-hand magic tricks. Two of Allen for their assistance with this article.

ISSUE No. 55 51
 REVIEWS ★ POOR | ★★ OK | ★★★ REASONABLE | ★★★★ GOOD | ★★★★★ OUTSTANDING

PRODUCT
REVIEWS
A QUICK LOOK AT WHAT’S HOT TORCE FORCE
AND WHAT’S NOT! Jamie Daws successfully reads their minds
Available from: and reveals the word. You
www.jamiedaws.co.uk receive a couple of specially

THE STESSEL BUTTON Price: £8.99 designed pages in the E-Book

for printing out to use with this
Jamie Daws is well known for routine.
ending. A fairly simple “hook a small but interesting range of
up” is required, which can be commercial products, and Torce 3. With Motion Crosses the
left in place ready for a one off Force is the latest in his line of magician openly draws a cross
performance. It probably fits marketed output. You are supplied in each of the four corners of
best into an “impromptu” style with a downloadable PDF plus his business card back. The
of performance, either as a one a short streaming video for your card is turned face down and a
off novelty or part of a wider money. spectator tears out one corner
set. It is not suitable for table which she keeps, then the rest
hopping. It could be performed The basic idea behind Torce Force of the card is torn into three
in more formal clothes but works is that Jamie has devised a way to more pieces. The crosses on
best with a buttoned shirt, worn allow a spectator to tear a quarter the other three corners vanish
informally (open collar and not section out of a card/piece of and all appear on the corner
John Stessel tucked into trousers), ideally paper/business card, yet in a subtle originally selected by the
Available from your favourite over a T shirt so the outer shirt manner control which quarter the spectator at the start.
dealer. can be somewhat unbuttoned helper ends up with. The underlying
Price: £24.99 and pawed by the audience at principle to this is very simple, and The E-Book finishes with a
the end! This style covers most once you understand what needs brief selection of other ideas
This is a lovely small piece of modern smart/casual situations. to be done, with relatively little and suggestions for the force
visual theatre. Among a handful spectator management, you can to help you to get your creative
of coins taken from his pocket There are detailed written guide them to handling the card in a juices flowing a little.
the magician notices a shirt instructions (hurray) and a well way that will achieve the necessary Also supplied is a short
button. He points out the gap on presented DVD which also outcome. streaming video segment in
his shirt and admits that he hasn’t includes an excellent bonus which Jamie does a visual
got round to fixing it. He rubs the effect where a found squashed In the E-Book supplied Jamie runs explanation of how the Torce
button on his shirt front, where it bottle reinflates itself. CP through the concept stage by Force works. This video is
becomes attached, unfortunately stage, explaining the necessary extremely rudimentary but if
in the incorrect position. He then WHAT’S HOT: strong magic, subtleties and spectator convincers the explanation in the E-Book
shakes his shirt gently and the engaging logical plot, very visual, needed to make it all seem fair and doesn’t leave you clear about
button creeps several centimetres clean examinable ending, set up above board, and then he goes how to work it, the video might
to the buttonhole, where it is simple and practical to live with. on to explain three different effects well be a help.
unbuttoned and the lapel offered WHAT’S NOT: can’t be which use the principle. Each trick
to spectators to check it is repeated, rather clothing style is practical and makes the most of In itself the Torce Force is not
securely sewn. specific the Torce Force idea. totally revolutionary in concept,
★★★★★ but it’s more a case of how
The method is simple but 1. In Noughts and Crosses a you use it which will determine
ingenious, with a very clean spectator selects one of four whether it has any real value to
business cards, tears out a corner of you. At the price asked, I would
the chosen one and when everything say it’s worth considering if the
DO YOU HAVE A PRODUCT is turned over, it is seen that the application sounds interesting

YOU’D LIKE US TO REVIEW? torn corner is the only one bearing

a nought, all the other corners on all
to you. ML

Items for review can be sent to any of the following addresses: the other cards have crosses. WHAT’S HOT: some nice
subtleties incorporated into the
Graham Hey: 6 St Everilda’s Terrace, Everingham, York YO42 4JE. 2. Word Tear sees a page from a handling
Phil Shaw: 23 Stock Close, Norton, Malton YO17 8BE.
paperback book being torn into WHAT’S NOT: needs to be
Mark Leveridge: 13A Lyndhurst Road, Exeter EX2 4PA.
four pieces by spectators who incorporated into strong effects,
Please also supply information on price, postage and where your product can be keep a corner each. The magician otherwise there’s a danger of it
purchased from. If you have a digital image (JPEG, TIFF, PDF) of your item too asks them to think of a prominent being a bit underwhelming
that would be appreciated, but not essential. word on their quarter page and he ★★★

52 MSM MAGAZINE
 REVIEWS

Warped Magic. Suppliers of the latest magic tricks, DVDs, playing cards and accessories. Free postage
on your 1st order. Use the code ‘FREEPOST’ at the checkout. VISIT OUR STAND AT BLACKPOOL!
Web: www.warpedmagic.co.uk email: [email protected]

EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT MARKETING MAGIC

every word that this excellent book with a dealer stand. These people marketing, advertising, selling,
has to offer. don’t really make any money. video production, legal issues,
In fact, although they probably product manufacturing and more,
The fact is, these days just about have never done the figures and and it is never a boring or difficult
anybody can market an idea/trick/ therefore couldn’t really tell you, read. So much relevant fact and
book/DVD. Self publishing has they are just playing at it. This information being provided in such
made the distribution of printed book is a waste of time for such a magic targeted way has probably
material, either via real books or individuals. But for those who never been done before, which is
E-Books, inexpensive and quick. want to establish a viable magic why this book is so important.
Affordable camcorders and budget business that trades efficiently,
video editing software has allowed ethically and which can last the As the co-founder of Penguin
huge numbers of people to release pace, I cannot imagine a more Magic, Maxwell Murphy has many
DVDs or online instructional videos. important read than this book. years of personal experience of
And ready availability of props, marketing magic. He truly is an
gimmicks and other apparatus Maxwell leaves no stone unturned, expert in the field, and he seems
Maxwell Murphy from magic wholesalers has as far as I can judge. He walks you to have held nothing back when
Available from your local dealer opened up a whole new world of through everything from getting writing this book. If you are
Price: (currently on offer at 50% possibilities for even the smallest you to analyse why you want to currently involved with selling your
off) $19.95 (approx. £12.00) of magic creators. But what none sell magic in the first place (“Selling own merchandise, or you anticipate
of this will give is the business magic items is quite possibly the that you might want to get into it
Available as either a printed acumen or knowledge to then least compelling reason to invent in the near future, you definitely
publication or as an E-Book, market and sell the resultant magic. There is far more money to should buy, read and follow the
this 230 page A5 size soft cover products with any degree of be made performing magic than in advice offered in its pages. It will
book sets out to provide every profitability and reliability. This book selling magic items.”), through to stop you making a lot of expensive
detail that an aspiring inventor provides that missing ingredient. all the practical elements of getting mistakes, and it may set you on the
or would-be marketer of magic Written in an extremely readable products manufactured and path to tangible success. ML
would need to know in order to style, this book is the perfect effective ways to promote those
make a success of their venture. guide for those wishing to market products. WHAT’S HOT: relevant, detailed
It is a total goldmine of up-to- their ideas. At least, it is if those business advice from an expert in
date, relevant and pertinent people are SERIOUS about doing He covers all the ground, both the field
advice and information, and it properly. There are those who legal and ethical, to do with magic WHAT’S NOT: will only appeal
anyone who is considering don’t want or intend to make a real manufacturing, and gives the pros to those looking to use magic as
bringing some magic to the business out of their sales, they and cons of marketing your own a selling business, so presumably
marketplace should first be just want to raise their profile in the ideas as opposed to teaming not a book for everybody (no tricks
strapped to a chair and not magic world and give themselves up with or selling to established explained!)
released until they have read an excuse to attend conventions dealers. There are chapters on ★★★★★

THE CODE Whenever Andy Nyman brings out

a product you can pretty much
standard Rider back the USPCC
have every allowed. At first glance
performer) had a dream where a
spectator thought of a card and
guarantee that it’s going to be a it is hard to tell the difference. it was in the ‘X’ position in the
winner - The Code is exactly that! deck. The spectator takes the
As well as the deck you receive cards from the deck they were
The Code is Andy’s version of the an excellently produced DVD given at the start. He counts
marked deck....with a difference. where Andy teaches lots of peeks/ down to the number in the
A standard marked deck has a routines using the deck. prediction....the card is an exact.
mark on its back which tells you match It is simple but completely
which card it is. The Code has My favourite routine taught is brilliant. The Code is highly
an additional two markings which ‘Double Dream’ where a deck recommended! PS
open up a whole host of extra and an envelope containing a
Andy Nyman possibilities. prediction is handed to a spectator WHAT’S HOT: Unlimited.
Available from at the start. A card is freely possibilities.
www.theory11.com The cards are decorated with selected from a second deck. WHAT’S NOT: Nothing!
or your favourite dealer a new ‘Maiden’ back design, On reading the prediction in the ★★★★★
Price: £21.99 which is the closest match to the envelope it says that you (the

ISSUE No. 55 53
 REVIEWS ★ POOR | ★★ OK | ★★★ REASONABLE | ★★★★ GOOD | ★★★★★ OUTSTANDING

PSYCHO QUIZ PREDICTION

character type. The performer character analysis afterwards, but the prop, you don’t get any
suggests that the spectator might for anyone who is not appraised instructions. These you are
like to have a go at the quiz in the of this system, it would perhaps invited to download yourself
issue he has in his hands, but first need to be carefully explained or from a website. Given that these
the magician will write down three the impact of the trick would be instructions only run to five sides
predictions of what he believes will somewhat lost. of A4 paper, I am surprised that
be the outcome. Anthony has not supplied these
The answers given by the but requires the customer to
Three predictions are written spectator to the three questions access them himself. Apart from
down and placed aside for later. are not forced or controlled in any the fact that this might prove a
The spectator answers the three way, and the three predictions are slight problem for those people
questions and turning to the not switched or altered once they who don’t use a computer or
Anthony Owen page with the scores on it, her have been written. The method who still find the internet a little
Available from: www.tvmagic.co.uk answers are checked against the is virtually self working and so daunting, it seems a new low
Price: £20.00 score ratings and a total arrived presentational skills are more when even paper instructions
at. This total puts her into a important here than any technical are not supplied in with the trick.
The slightly oddly named Psycho particular character bracket, the ability. There is no memory work,
Quiz Prediction (I think the Psycho details of which are read out from no one-ahead and no calculation Overall, if you are looking for a
stands for Psychological, not the magazine. When the three involved on your part either. feature mental effect for your act
Psychopathic!) from Anthony Owen predictions are then revealed, it which is simple to do and which,
provides mentalists with a nicely turns out that the magician has As is often the way these days, if properly and clearly presented,
worked out routine which would correctly forcasted the three you are going to need to set to will score well, Psycho Quiz
be suitable for most performing individual answer scores in their work making the props before you Prediction will fit the bill. The
situations from a close up show to correct order sequence, the total of can start the performance. In days supplied necessary bits are well
a stage performance. those three scores, plus the main gone by you probably would have produced, the concept is solid,
character traits revealed because received this all made up and ready and so I see no reason why a
The plot is as follows. A woman is of the total. to go, whereas now, doubtless to competent mentalist shouldn’t
chosen from the audience and a keep the manufacturing costs and have plenty of success with it.
copy of Cosmopolitan magazine is The fact that it has taken me effort down, you receive all the ML
brought out by the performer. He several lines to summarise the necessary, but will have to make
explains that in the back of every plot shows that this is a routine one additional small purchase and WHAT’S HOT: simple method
issue of Cosmo there is quiz which which needs careful handling in spend a half an hour making the based on a solid, practical
poses three questions with three order for the audience to actually prop. While not difficult, you will principle
possible answers suggested for understand what has happened. need to do this carefully, but once WHAT’S NOT: quite a lot
each. Readers select an answer for Anyone who reads Cosmo will done you won’t need to do it again of DIY required to make the
each question and these are given probably be well aware of the for a long time. necessary props
a score in the magazine which, Cosmo Quiz and will therefore ★★★
when checked against a chart, understand the system of scoring Slightly strangely, although you
puts the reader into a particular and how that relates to the receive the necessary to make

THE GRUMBLE GLIM

be glimpsed while being dealt or amateurishly shot but is sufficient promise to teach “some
held face down. Expert Card Magic to understand the few different devastating routines”. CP
describes how a small mirror can be handlings of the glimpse. A small
attached to a finger tip with rubber irritation is that the method and WHAT’S HOT: a good sized
cement. A search of Denis Behr’s materials used to demonstrate shiner, practical and neat
on line database for “shiner” gives construction of the gimmick do method to bring in and out
10 entries, including ideas for using not quite match those supplied. of play, useful utility, could
other surfaces, such as nail polish There are some starting ideas for strengthen many routines
or a shiny magazine. presentation and possible effects. WHAT’S NOT: relatively
This is a neat idea that would be expensive, some handling
The Grumble Glim is an ingenious a worthy short chapter in a book required, very few effects
Nathan Kranzo shiner, disguised so that it can be or a lecture. If you already have a or presentation ideas,
Available from your favourite brought in and out of play “in full routine using a shiner, or can use amateurish DVD, construction
dealer. view”, with no need to go to the it to strengthen an existing mental method does not exactly
Price: £28.50 ($35) pocket or any other resting place. routine you might feel this is worth match description.
A few raw materials are supplied the price. Other purchasers are ★★
A “shiner” is a secret reflective to construct two gimmicks. The likely to feel it is overpriced and
surface which allows cards to accompanying DVD is quite does not deliver on the DVD’s

54 MSM MAGAZINE
 REVIEWS

Big Blind Media - get a FREE 90 min download DVD at

www.bigblindmedia.com
TWISTED QUEENS
a difficult one but I’m glad to say helper to hold. The Queen tries to workable but with only a 10
I have found a couple of positive restore herself, but when the helper minute DVD explanation (which
things to say. This is, at least, opens her hand, the Queen of really could have taken 5), and
an easy trick to perform with a Hearts is restored folded, but when 10 specially printed cards, this
workable method, even if the plot is opened out is seen to be not the would have been overpriced
confused, and it could be described original Queen but a cartoon like at £10, never mind at the
as commercial, although that would version with arms and legs all in the ridiculous £23.99 price tag! The
be stretching the truth a bit! wrong place. Cut to deserted town, DVD does however continue
wind whistling and tumbleweed for another half an hour . . . of
There it is, some positive comments blowing down the street! trailers! Yes, you are buying a
for what otherwise is not only a 30 minute trailer DVD with a
terrible example of a ‘one trick It’s not a particularly comic looking weak gag card trick and 10
By SansMinds DVD’, but a pretty weak trick and a gag card and even the name of the special cards for £23.99. If the
Available from your favourite seriously over priced one at that. trick should be singular and not price alone doesn’t encourage
dealer. plural, although that’s the least of its you to steer well clear of this
Price: £23.99 At best it’s a gag, although a weak problems. You will use up a folded nonsense, then hopefully this
one, marketed as an apparent gag card with each performance review will. Move on! PP
I always like to find something torn and restored card. The only and you receive only ten with the
positive to say about a trick problem is that the restored card DVD. I’ve checked the refill page of WHAT’S HOT: Zilch
even if I think it’s a somewhat is obviously not the same card that the website but none are offered, WHAT’S NOT: Seriously
lacklustre product. Even if it’s was torn up, which really blows although I presume they are overpriced, underwhelming and
not really adding much to the apart the ‘restored’ part of the trick! available. not funny.
world of magic and is grossly ★
overpriced, I still hope to find To the patter about the sawing in The switch of the torn pieces for
something that balances the half trick, a Queen of Hearts is torn the folded gag card is nothing new
scales even slightly. This was into four pieces and given to the but is at least straightforward and

WAY OUT XII

Product Review, they will know pocket and it matches the free a DVD which covers lots of great
how amazing this effect is. With choice!! It’s that simple, and that routines. This is sooo clean, and
universal praise from many of amazing! The package comes brilliant. I know Marc uses this all
the biggest names in magic, this with 6 killer routines, but to be the time in his close-up act, but it
mentalism effect is set to be one honest, you can use this gimmick is also ideal for larger groups and
of, if not THE biggest seller of to do pretty much any type of stand-up performance. GH
2014. Although we are not giving prediction you like. You’ll all have
you exact figures, we know that ideas for this, and don’t think that Oh, and if you are wondering (like
hundreds and hundreds of this it will take you weeks to perfect, I was) what the huge envelope’s
effect have already been snapped you’ll be doing this pretty quickly. for? Marc tells me it’s a marketing
up. Marc will be at Blackpool That’s not to say there’s no work thing!
demoing Way Out 12, so go and involved - you need to remember a
see it in action first hand - and then few things, but once you get them WHAT’S HOT: A brilliant tool to
buy it! And Magicseen is not on a into your head, you can be doing make you look like the genius you
commission! this confidently and smoothly. 12 are!
outs never looked so good!! Marc WHAT’S NOT: Nothing
Marc Oberon What happens? Well, the magician includes routines using star signs ★★★★★
Available from marcoberon.com has a folded piece of paper and numbers, amongst others...
or from your favourite magic sticking out of his top pocket
dealer and then shows a large sheet of Way Out 12 is one of those effects
Price: approx $60 paper that contains 12 names. that you can’t believe hasn’t
The spectator has a totally free been done before - but that’s the
If any readers saw Marc choice - and the magician unfolds beauty of it. You receive made up
demo this on the Wizard the piece of paper from his top prediction sheets, gimmicks, and

ISSUE No. 55 55
 REVIEWS
THE END

www.zanesmagicshop.com
01843 850036 - Phone Orders Welcome!
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to press, we have no
electricity in our office LISTINGS
due to non-payment ALAKAZAM MAGIC UK.
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have not been able to ALBION MAGIC.
www.albionmagiccompany.co.uk
contact prospective
interviewees. We are BIG BLIND MEDIA.

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ISSUE!
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DISCOUNT MAGIC.

Here we go again...it’s the MAGICSEEN AWARDS!

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EL DUCO’S MAGIC.
As someone said in the letters page, the last 12 months has been a cracking year for magic a­ nd here’s your chance to give www.el-duco.se
the acclaim where it’s due, by voting for your favourite magician in several categories... and just in case you are wondering FRANKLY DISILLUSIONED
where we got the category shortlists from ­these were compiled from a list of magic dealers... www.franklydisillusioned.com
ELLUSIONIST.
BEST MENTALIST: Kevin James Dynamo series 3 www.ellusionist.com
Philip Escoffey Mark Kalin/Jinger Leigh Tricked ILLUSIONS BAR.
Paul Stockman Help! My Supply Teacher Is Magic Tel: 0117 909 3405
Derren Brown BEST LIVE PERFORMER The Illusionists www.illusionsmagicbar.co.uk
Mel Mellers Mac King MAGICTAO.
John Archer David Williamson BEST MAGIC CREATOR www.magictao.co.uk
Jeff Hobson Wayne Dobson MARK LEVERIDGE MAGIC.
BEST CLOSE U
­ P David Copperfield Michael Chatelain www.markleveridgemagic.co.uk
MAGICIAN: Marc Oberon MERLINS OF WAKEFIELD.
Ben Earl BEST COMEDY Jay Sankey www.merlinswakefield.com
Michael Vincent MAGICIAN Richard Sanders NUMBER 23.
Jay Sankey Ali Cook Rob Bromley Tel: 07885 521486
David Stone Nathan Kranzo www.numbertwentythree.co.uk
Dynamo David Williamson Please email your entries to: PLAYTIME BALLOONS.
Jeff Hobson [email protected] www.playtimeballoons.co.uk
BEST ILLUSIONIST: Mel Mellers by midnight March 18th.
PROPDOG.
Peter Marvey www.propdog.co.uk
JC Sum/MagicBabe Ning BEST MAGIC TV SHOW PRO SHOW MIC CLIP.
David Copperfield David Blaine www.proshowclip.co.uk
RUPERT THE TAILOR.
PRINTED BACK ISSUES OF MAGICSEEN ONLY $6.OO (ISS. 37 – 53 ONLY) WWW.LYBRARY.COM/MAGICSEEN www.rupertthetailor.co.uk/magic
ALL OTHER ISSUES ARE AVAILABLE FROM WWW.MAGICSEEN.CO.UK. £4.00 (UK)
£5.00 (Airmailed to Europe), £6.50 (Airmailed worldwide outside Europe) THE CARD COLLECTION.
Tel: 01233 647878
www.cards4magic.co.uk
Issue No.54 RRP £5.50 Vol. 9. No.6 January 2014
Issue No.50 RRP £5.50 Vol. 9. No.2 May 2013
THE MAGIC MAGAZINE Issue No.51 RRP £5.50 Vol. 9. No.3 July 2013
THE MAGIC MAGAZINE Issue No.52 RRP £5.50 Vol. 9. No.4 September 2013
THE MAGIC MAGAZINE Issue No.53 RRP £5.50 Vol. 9. No.5 November 2013
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