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! 

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.

* 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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He then visually compounded his view by showing film clips of great moments in films, sport and theatre where the performance commanded  excitement, anticipation, attention and focus that led to a personal emotional experience on the part of the viewer.. This included diverse subjects such as the lighting of the Olympic flame by an athlete firing a flaming arrow high into the air to ignite the opening of the world’s greatest sporting event. He showed how Michael Jackson burst on stage and stood motionless for over two minutes, boosting the audience frenzy prior to his performance.  Back in time we saw clips as to how silent film star Buster Keaton could provoke genuine emotion and anticipation without words being one of the world’s greatest silent clowns.

All this was sheer joy to me as for years I have asserted the value of presentation over secrets and Richard McDougall is a fine example of the value of this philosophy. His FISM prizewinning magic act embraces sleight of hand and mime that is pure theatre and lifts him above the crowd. And he has an act holding a large white goose; no cheeky boy cross talk but a wonderful solo script and acting with the bird that is sheer entertainment. I once saw Richard give a talk on stage movement and motivation to a magic convention in Paris some years ago that shook many out of their perpetual card juggling. Nowadays, as well as his magic he makes his living conducting seminars for corporate groups teaching them how to present and sell themselves and their products. Richard McDougall represents in Europe an overlooked magic theatre philosophy that could change the careers of many magicians much as Jeff McBride has done in the USA.

I don’t wish to muscle in on Richard’s work but his beliefs about presentation are echoed completely in my KISS lecture which perhaps accounts for my enthusiasm for his work. Make sure you catch Richard  who will be appearing at the IBM Eastbourne convention in three weeks time.