LAST NIGHT THE MAGIC CIRCLE STAGE MAGICIAN OF THE YEAR was won by – John Archer.High velocity comedian and excellent magician who combines the best of both skills to provide entertainment, which surely is the putpose of magic. To entertain. John is one of the younger generation of comedic performers but unlike many of his colleagues I have never heard him resort to crude or distasteful humour in his high speed, off the cuff delivery. I viewed on tv a few nights ago a show “The Secret Policeman’s Ball” at the Albert Hall in aid of Amnesty featuring top established comedians such as Frank Skinner, Alan Carr and others. I am no prude and will tell you an off colour story with the best, but I was appalled at the crude language and gestures employed by top performers in the name of modern humour to an audience of millions. When you’re a name I suppose you can get away with it but it contrasted greatly with the convulsive laughter from an audience, perhaps older than younger people, that John Archer extracted from the packed house last Sunday. I have never heard Archer use an expletive or profanity ever in his high speed patter but he truly knows how to touch the funny bone – the essence of a true clown.

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! 

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