That said, here I am again witn a promise to keep you up to date with occasional items that I recently said would be of real interest and value rather than pumping  out a blog everyday.

In my last announcement I touched on an effect I’ve done for some time at wedding receptions which I am thinking of putting out. The truthful reaction I’ve had from laypeople tells me that in real, visual terms it’s a stunner and I’m glad to pass it on. For those that missed the first news item – quite simply you show a ladies diamond wedding ring and a gentleman’s gold signet ring in each hand, drop them into a glass of champagne, handed to the spectator who, after drinking the champagne tips out the rings which are now seen to be – joined! A truthful description. Everything can be examined and the magician’s hands are empty. The gimmick has to be specially made and so it will be made to order for each request. Price? I don’t know but I think it will be in the region of £40.00. to be advised. I’ll be putting out announcements on the internet – Magic Week and this web site plus possibly some press ads. It’s called “Welded Bliss” (blame my advertising background for that awful pun.) Keep a look out or contact me if you’re interested.

Keep looking.

However, since then my nephew who’s a whiz on computer technology advised me that from the stats on this site I was getting around six hundred people a time tuning in and at Blackpool and beyond many magicians have come up and asked if I’d closed down and was I going to resume. Well, thank you and yes.

But rather than continue to belt out something everyday and knowing that people’s time is under pressure generally speaking I’ve thought it fair to resume with news, ideas, reviews and the magic scene from a viewpoint that’s been observing the changing world of magic for the past sixty years. I hope to give you recollections and magic memories from the days when most magic was performed on a stage and close-up was called “pocket tricks” But I will do this on a casual basis, from time to time as events and  news emerges.

Hope that suits the many magicians who have shown keen interest in my blasts from the past! Nothing much at the moment but there was a terrific surprise 80th birthday celebration for Patrick Page at the Brick Lane Music Hall in London where he was booked for what he thought was an afternoon Old Time Music Hall Show and on walking on stage was greeted by the biggest audience applause and standing ovation he’d ever received – and even before he’d performed his first effect.

Shading his eyes from the footlights and knowing absolutely nothing of the celebration that his children had arranged, he espied over one hundred members of The Magic Circle, friends and wives. They had gathered to celebrate the birthday of one of magic’s greatest performers and gentlemen. Pat doesn’t usually show emotion but there is no doubt he was touched by this warm display of affection to celebrate his special day, that a hundred people had managed to keep a secret under wraps until the show. It was one of the great moments of magic.

Post you some more later. Thanks for your interest.

I hope to get it on film shortly and show it to you on this website and thereafter we’ll be putting it out for sale. It looks like tremendous digital skill but it’s a dream to work and I’ll keep you posted as to further details. It’s called “Find the Phantom“

The stage show at the International was very good but I was particularly taken with an act from Holland –  Robert and Emiel who presented a mental telepathy act. I’ve seen some great ones over the years – “What have I here?” “A comb” “And here?” “A long balloon” “Well, near enough!” and so on. A sheer demonstration of skill and speed with a pace and pzazz.

But Robert and Emiel took their act to a different level. The curtains opened with no announcement and seen centre stage is a young man, dressed in what appeared to be white pyjamas, sitting on a stool by a microphone and fidgeting with his hands. An off stage announcement told that here was a five year old boy in the body of a grown man who nevertheless has amazing powers beyond the ken of others. He was then blindfolded  and demonstrated some quite amazing revelations about items held up by members of the audience and numbers of banknotes, sometimes without any apparent oral prompting.

All the time the boy on stage was fidgeting with his clothing as perhaps a young child would and engaging in a brother to brother conversation as if seeking approval. The act finished to great applause and even as the young Emiel walked off stage holding his brother’s hand he did not drop the persona of a handicapped child. And all his impaired mannerisms were minimal and did not create any embarrassment with the audience. It was a masterful presentation that left the audience wondering, with echoes of Raymond in the film “Rain Man” - was this really  a handicapped man with special powers?

It was a different presentation that for me was excellent in it’s concept. Even as the two walked off stage the young “savant” was heard to quietly say to his brother “Can I have the ice cream now” Sheer theatre.

But in this new production there is an excellent vanish of the lead singer covered by an umbrella of boa fans of the chorus line with only her hand projecting through the feathers Excellent and caught everybody including me off guard. And another instantaneous change of a male dancer for a girl covered by a swirl of smoke as he rotated in a dance routine. Beautifully done with real artistry. I don’t know if there was a magic consultant behind these incidental effects but the whole production has some excellent and imaginative presentation ideas that make this a top show that’s playing until 10th January.

Former legal director of the Daily Express, the newspaper has challenged him to predict the headlines of a forthcoming news item which will ensure the presence of one of Britain’s leading broadsheets. This show is the first night of a London tour and all proceeds go to the Head & Neck Cancer Trust. For tickets call 020 7226 1916. The King’s Head,115 Upper Street, Islington, N1 1QN.

1.What do you look like on stage?

Before you can sell your magic you have to get people to like you. What is the impression they get when you step on stage or at their table? Do you look friendly? Do you make them feel they could welcome you into their home? Step outside of yourself and take a look at the person on stage from their viewpoint. Be bold and make improvements

2. Strike an attitude.

Do your clothes fit with your audience and performing environment? Do you smell nice?(Important!) Do they like your personality and feel they’d like to know you better? Act your age. Do you connect with the audience? Once you do, you’re more than halfway to success.

3. Make eye to eye contact and smile.

Many very skilled magicians never look at their audience but focus on their hands. That’s nerves or ego. Both on and off stage always look directly at people and smile. You’ll get an immediate response Defensive barriers are immediately lowered. Try it next time you show a trick or talk to a waiter. Don’t gush, be yourself

3. Make an initial, friendly remark.

The audience want you to be successful. But they seek a signal that confirms that you are friendly. Make the opening, positive remark that bridges the gap immediately. It can be slightly humorous or formal. Michael Bailey used to open with “Hello. My name is Michael Bailey – I expect you know yours” The ice was broken. Mac King says “Howdy – I’m Mac King” affirming his friendly, country-style persona.

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