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.

I’ll not go into a listing of the effects but just to say that what Guy added to his outstanding teechnique (performed in a slow, natural style a la Dai Vernon) was a brilliant playlet that told the story of the ubiquitous Erdnase whose book “The Expert at the Card Table” has defined card work around the world for over a century. Presented by Guy in full evening dress and setting with just a card table, some chairs, a desk with mirror, tumblers and other ephemera, he wove an intruiging tale of the legend of Erdnase interspersed with card deals, card routines and other effects including his amazing torn and restored card, in a manner like an unfolding plot by Raymond Chandler with an ending that had a  touch of Alfred Hitchcock.

It was sheer theatre and the packed, largely non-magic audience were clearly enthralled and the performance restored one’s faith in the belief that magic for the public should be an entertainment and not a demonstration of digital skill. For me Guy Hollingworth has crossed that line that separates the thousands of demonstrators from the true artistes of magic that in the present day can be counted on the fingers of two hands. Guy Hollingworth has added an extra finger.

In the audience was one who in my view is part of that select coterie – Richard McDougall. As we left the theatre together, it was he who uttered the single word that summed up the performance, Sublime! 

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.

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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He said “Sorry about contacting you but I have hit a putple patch of work and have only been home for very short periods. I was very excited to see what you have included in your lecture and I am so glad that someone is putting this down on paper. It was such a refreshing approach to the whole subject and after reading it I wanted there to be even more about how you won over business and magic audiences as I thnk this is a fascinating insight that we would all do well to learn from.”

“I congratulate you on focussing on the right path to success and thank you for sharing such valuable thoughts. I do hope we can meet up soon and hear more about the whole KISS project!”

Richard McDougall

From one of the top motivators in the business. Why not check out the details above and put your magic on a higher road to success.

I’m not against acerbic humour that attacks the audience provided the performer has a personality that can deliver such material knowing that the audience knows that he’s joking. As witness Mel Mellers, Jeff Hobson, Michael Finney and other giants of magi-comedy, all of whom work continuously and have never been booed off stage or give offence.

I read a review this week of a show in London “La Clique” which features a variety of speciality acts including stripping magician Ursula Martinez who offered unhinged eroticism doing unmentionable things with a red hankie. Stick to the thumb tip kiddo! 

* Mel Mellers who tore ‘em up in the opening show with his acerbic but very entertaining magic and comedy.

* The entertaining act of Levent packed with a thousand very funny sight gags but an artiste whose depth of magic thinking is profound as witness his brilliantly devised  Miser’s Dream that he showed in his lecture. Also the man who put so much work and respect into the outstanding Roy Benson book.

* Congratulations to Jonathan Shotton, former prizewinner in The Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year, now maturing into a seasoned professional entertainer and winning the British Ring Shield competition with a well conceived and presented act built around – clocks!

* One of the best presentations I’ve seen of the classical Rising Cards by Bob  Kohler in a close up show dominated by a chorus line of Las Vegas card men, demonstrating gambling deals and routines. And included in this show, the refreshing, diverse programme of magic and originality by Nick Einhorn with a stunning, every which way but loose coin matrix sequence, a new twist with a borrowed ring on key ring  and some excellent card effects finishing with a completely blank deck except for the selected card. Very Nick Einhorn.

* The workshop, in depth thinking and performance handling of the Egg Bag by Jeff Hobson that brought this timeless classic into the 21st century.

* Admired the artistry of Richard McDougall’s act with a goose – sheer theatre.

* Had an enjoyable talk with Marvin Berglas,  one of magic’s most successful business entrepreneurs and still a bubbling enthusiast  about magic to the extent that he performs regularly in the corporate suites at the Arsenal Football Club (another of his passions)

* Finally, congratulations to Ian  Keable on the publication of his excellent book “Stand Up – A Professional Guide to Comedy Magic” possibly the most comprehensive work on this most individual and diverse subject. Years in the writing, its 280 pages says everything you need to know about comedy and entertaining. Worthy of a PhD on the subject.

That’s it. Apologies if I’ve missed your favourites out but they were all good.

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But one dealer who really does come up with something good for most conventions and works really hard at getting the punters involved is Colin Rose of Five of Hearts Magic. Former professional magician and master craftsman he creates and makes all the original items on his stand and this year he rang the bell for children’s entertainers with an item called “Balls Up

Basically it is a stylish aluminium box on a stand and a large size puppet – monkey, puppy or what you will. The puppet and a number of coloured balls are placed in the box and at inappropriate moments during the magician’s patter the balls fly high in the air out of the box, one at a time, causing vocal reaction from the children. Wrapped in a routine whereby the puppet is ostensibly going to find the selected ball, it is a vehicle for sheer pantomime entertainment (it’s behind you etc.) Working children’s magicians recognising a great piece of magic theatre quickly snapped up “Balls Up” and Colin was sold out before the end of the week.

He not only offers the complete set up as described above but for magicians with imaginative presentation ideas he also offers just the gizmo with timer that does all the work that can be introduced into your own container. No wires, no threads, no batteries, completely self -contained and beautifully thought out and constructed in the quality that is the hallmark of magic by Five of Hearts productions. I don’t do children’s magic but I know  good heatre when I see it. Why not check out the details and see the demo on www.fiveofheartsmagic.co.uk

I spoke to Matt who confirmed that many of the Page classics, the Miser’s Dream, the Stacked Deck, the Coins Through the Table and other gems were indeed included in this new book to which Pat is constantly adding fresh touches and photographs. This must be his Opus, a publication of his lifetime in magic which will undoubtedly be a major work that will be an outstanding British publication as I understand that Pat is publishing it himself.

This is big news indeed and I know a hundred people who would place an order tomorrow for possession of the work of one of Britain’s finest masters of magic. Put me down for the first copy!

He showed in fine detail many of the great classic effects that he includes in his stage act as well as many outstanding close-up ideas that he has created in the last fifty years or so. He showed the subtleties and time-polished technique of his Miser’s Dream routine which he does to perfection. The secret loads of coins blatantly stolen from the table top and from the coin bucket stand in full view the whole time. All blended into a practical routine that has taken him around the world for years. He showed his outstanding handling of the stacked deck, inspired by street magician Charlie Edwards, with which he demonstrated incredible card predictions and names of unseen cards in the spectator’s pocket. And simple little impromptu effects with coins in the hand, finishing with the bold production of a dinner plate from out of thin air. This was classic professional magic Pat Page style and a lesson for anyone who purports to entertain with the ancient art..

Many other Page classics followed. His famed sponge ball routine, his excellent developments of the Han Ping Chien coins through the table and an unbelievable cards to pocket with no palming that suddenly develops into a six card repeat climax. Masterly!

This lecture was going on into the late hours and unfortunately I had to leave early and cannot comment on the rest of the programme But I was enthralled with this presentation of the real, classic Pat Page that I saw and was more than satisfied. Pat’s reputation and the quality of his work is world wide that drew to this little Italian Restaurant in Holborn some of the current ”names” of magic. Paul Wilson, famed for his card work and his current “Hustle” TV programme. Andy Nyman, the creative brain behind the highly successful Derren Brown shows also a  film and stage actor. Anthony Owen, lifetime magician and now a big wheel in Objective Productions responsible for many of the current TV programmes involving magic. And Jerry Sadowitz, stunning card man and long time friend of Pat and many others. It was an amazing evening from a highly respected magician now approaching eighty years of age and if it comes your way, I beg you,  don’t miss it. (Or you can buy the DVD!)