LAST NIGHT WAS VERY SPECIAL I went to a lecture by Patrick Page organised by International Magic and  it was one of the great evenings in magic. I have known and admired Pat’s work for many years and in his previous lectures he has always shown many good ideas – a stunning vanish of a coin in a silk, an impromptu  do as I do card routine, a rope routine and many others All very practical and all very Pat Page. But last night was something special.

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!)

Filed under: Magic Miscellanea, Magic Reviews