Magic Show at QUAD

George - The Supreme Master of Magic, 1924 (detail). Courtesy Paul Kieve Collection

I’ve known Jonathan Allen for some years (along with his dark ‘gospel magician’ alter ego Tommy Angel) and always been fascinated by his investigations into the overlaps between magic, illusion and art. Many will remember the Con Art show in Sheffield, in which we played a small role, and the more recent Kalanag installation at the David Risley Gallery. (Check out Jonathan’s website for more information.)

His latest project, co-curated with arts writer Sally O’Reilly, is Magic Show. This is a Hayward Touring exhibition organised in collaboration with QUAD, Derby’s new centre for art and film. It runs at QUAD from 28 November to 31 January 2010. I urge anyone who has a serious interest in magic not to miss it. After the Derby show the exhibition embarks on a national tour to Blackpool, Carlisle, Cardiff and London.

For some, the idea of magic suggests fantasy and illusion, while for others it signals a licence to practise deception. Magic Show considers how art and magic often share common ground, and how contemporary artists may adopt the perception-shifting tactics of the theatrical magician to lead the viewer while exploring the power of suggestion itself.

It includes work by 24 international artists, with new commissions and performances, and an archive of historical magic posters, curious props and offbeat ephemera (a bit like The Magick Lounge then!). The exhibition demonstrates how art and magic both flourish in the gap between fact and fiction, where eyes may be misdirected, and considers the potential of trickery and illusion to creatively undermine logical thought. Artists include Zoe Beloff, Joan Brossa, Jackie and Denise Chapwoman, Tom Friedman, Christian Jankowski, Janice Kerbel, Juan Muñoz, Ian Saville and Suzanne Treister.

Among the artworks in the exhibition are the California-based Center for Tactical Magic’s Ultimate Jacket which has 50 pockets for optimum concealment and retrieval, which is probably even more than recent Lounge lecturer James Prince; Susan Hiller’s Homage to Yves Klein, which incorporates found photographs of people levitating – ranging from the low-tech sham to highly sophisticated ruse, and Failing to Levitate in the Studio, which documents Bruce Nauman’s similar attempts to get off the ground. Commissioned for selected venues during the tour of Magic Show, Sinta Werner’s site-specific installations mimic architectural features within the gallery to distort space and disorientate visitors.

Highlights of the archive section include Paul Kieve’s collection of historical posters from theatrical magic’s ‘Golden Era’ (c.1890-1930), which play up to the idea of the magician as a princely commander of unearthly forces or an ethereal woman with otherworldly powers; Tommy Cooper’s Dippy Duck; and the personal scrapbook of British conjurer and socialite Stanley Collins, containing satirical cartoons of politicians as magicians that shape political realities.

QUAD, Market Place, Cathedral Quarter, Derby, DE1 3AS.
Open: 11:00am to 6:00pm daily (except Sunday opening at 12 noon).
www.derbyquad.co.uk
Tel: 01332 290606 Admission: free.

 

November’s Magick Star Lecture

Paul Gordon here at The Magick Lounge on Thursday 26 November, 7.30 p.m. Book now to make sure you don’t miss out on a great, entertaining lecture on commercial close-up and walk-round magic! More quotes…

* Top entertainment and a great lecture of ‘do-able’ (to quote) magic! Wolverhampton Magicians

* Excellent lecture; very well constructed! Tony Griffith, Weston Wizards

* A wonderful, wonderful lecture; great card magic! Mike Alderman, Essex Magicians

* Startling good lecture. So much fun and so much magic. You were outstanding and we all had a great time! Tony Dawson, Magical Mayhem

* One of the best lectures I’ve ever seen… Steve Vickers, Cornish Magical Society

Mustn’t forget the Weekly Wheeze this time…

Adam is always keen on working out and keeping fit. I asked him what his secret was. He said he started by standing with a half-kilo potato sack in each hand, extending his arms straight out to his sides and holding them there as long as he could. After a few weeks he moved up to one-kilo potato sacks, then two-kilo potato sacks… Finally he got to where he could lift a 25-kilo potato sack in each hand and hold his arms straight out for more than a full minute!

I understand that next he’s going to start putting a few potatoes in the sacks.

 

Paul Gordon at The Magick Lounge

As all of you who were there will know, last Friday’s lecture was a sell-out success and a great time was had by all. I understand Matthew and Christopher’s sales afterwards were a record! In Sheffield! I take it all back.

Coming next month we have a fabulous new lecture from Paul Gordon.

“One of the best lectures I’ve ever seen…” Steve Vickers, Cornish Magical Society.

The Paul Gordon Close-up Magic Lecture has travelled the world in recent years. In fact, Paul has lectured in America seven times since 1994; the first being at Tannen’s Jubilee in New York. And most recently (2008) at FFFF (Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolics) in New York. He has lectured for over 90 clubs in the UK since 1994 (including four times at The Magic Circle in London); not to mention his lectures in France, Denmark, Spain & Germany. So I reckon by now he’s pretty much got it right!

Every lecture has received a ‘rave’ review!

“Fantastic lecture and the very first in the new headquarters!” Alan Blythe, The Magic Circle.

Paul’s lecture is entertaining and full of ‘doable’, usable magic from his books, DVDs and professional repertoire. If you think that card magic is awe-inspiring or, dare we say it, dull – you will be pleasantly surprised by Paul’s enthusiastic and energetic approach. He teaches a lot of magic – and more: Sleights, Tricks, Tips, Thoughts, Stories, Patter, Presentation, Angles, Stance, etc., with lots of laughs on the way!

“Well done, Paul. Great style – great lecture!” Mike Gancia, British Magical Society.

Paul performs and teaches, in a fun and informal way magic from his books and DVDs. The lecture is fun and informative, but not ‘heavy’.

“Thank you Paul; it was excellent! Great card magic; great lecture!” Trevor MCombie, Edinburgh Magic Circle.

Paul Gordon will be at the Magick Lounge, 82 Broad Street, Sheffield, S2 5TG, on Thursday 26 November 2009. Doors open at 7.00, lecture starts at 7.30. Make a note in your diary now! Tickets available at £10.

 

Stand up and comedy… possibly

Looks as if it could be standing room only at this Friday’s lecture. Give me a ring if you’d like a seat reserved.

We’ve been a bit remiss with the Weekly Wheezes of late, and I do understand that Adam Bell has quite a few fan out there. So here are two-and-a-bit for the price of one (free; and worth every penny).

Mind you, Adam has been a bit down recently; his clothes horse broke the other day. He said it felt like the end of an airer.

But I hear he was intending to get down to some hot and steamy action Saturday night… well, the pile of ironing was getting higher.

You’ll be glad to hear his foot’s getting better though, in fact only last night he was throwing shapes at a rave. Got one guy in the eye with a rhombus.

 

Impressions of Southport 2009

We had a great time at the IBM British Ring Convention, and while we were there Traudel took loads of great photographs of the personalities and events. I’ve taken a few of these and put them together in short video which I hope will give some flavour of the Convention.

Many thanks to Traudel Albrecht for the photographs. The music, incidentally, is taken from our Magick Media Studio package. This includes 101 tracks of professional, royalty-free music in a wide variety of styles (nearly two hours altogether) which can be used in your projects without copyright problems. Ideal for cabaret, illusion, children’s entertainers, promotional video, websites, etc. There are multiple lengths and mixes, including stingers and loops.

We’ve even supplied a free audio editor for looping, re-timing, adding effects, and so on. Plus eight videos which teach you the basics of simple audio editing. A sound purchase at £20! (Anyone who has ever bought royalty-free music will know what a bargain that is.)

 

Alone again? Naturally

If you were intrigued by my last post, have a look at this one. And be sure not to miss the lecture on the 16th!

No, it’s nothing to do with the hat; apparently Matt has chosen to wear that…

 

Out on its own

Still on the subject of the fabulous forthcoming lecture by Matt Johnson and Chris Taylor. Here’s another little foretaste…

Looking forward to finding out a little more about that!

 

Direct from Canada: Matthew Johnson & Christopher Taylor

Two of Canada’s most creative thinkers… together for a once-in-a-lifetime lecture!

Christopher Taylor

Christopher Taylor

“A performer I could watch over and over!” Sean Boon
“Christopher Taylor is the new Bob Cassidy!” Andrew Gerrard
“… a creator we should all desire to emulate!” Matt Sconce

What can you say about a man that defies explanation? (Actually, we get a few of those in the Lounge… but this time it’s in a good way!) Christopher Taylor is a mentalist of the highest calibre!

He has created effects for some of magic’s biggest stars and is also the man behind an array of hit magic products, such as Equinox, T3 and Real Ghost. He was the first magician outside the UK featured to be featured on an ‘Inner Mind’ DVD and is the author of two best-selling magic books Inside Out and Unconventional (H&R Press).

Get ready to learn the kind of magic that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up… Get ready to learn the mind magic of Christopher Taylor.

Matthew Johnson

Matthew Johnson

“Matthew’s charm, humour and charisma will keep you captivated!” Magic Magazine
“Matthew Johnson is a joy to watch!” Mark Wilson
“You can see Matthew loves the art!” Dean Dill
“Truly a Master Class!” Bradford Magic Circle

Matthew Johnson is a professional magician, lecturer, actor, comedian and magical inventor. His magic effects, books and DVDs have been sold to magicians all over the world, and several in Sheffield.

He is proud to be featured on other magicians’ projects; in 2009 he can be found as a guest performer the True Astonishments DVD set by Paul Harris, The Solstice Wallet (Christopher Taylor) and both The Chosen and The Crossroads by Tony Chris!

Get ready to learn easy magic that packs a punch! Matt’s trademark… “Instant reset!”

Two great lectures for the price of one. Don’t miss this. There’s a lot of interest being shown and we’re expecting a full house. Please let us know as soon as possible if you’re coming. Limted number of tickets remain at £10.

Christopher and Matthew will be at the Magick Lounge, 82 Broad Street, Sheffield, S2 5TG, on Friday 16 October 2009. Doors open at 7.00, lecture starts at 7.30.

 

John Archer, Pete Firman & Paul Tonkinson in Sheffield

Note for everyone in the Sheffield area (or beyond; it’ll be a night worth travelling for): John Archer, Pete Firman and Paul Tonkinson are appearing at The Jester Society Comedy Club at the Sheffield Library Theatre, Tudor Square, on Thursday, 8 October, 20:00 – 23:00.

Some may remember we featured an interview with the inimitable Mr Archer in Issue 2 of PrestiDigital (the world’s first multimedia magic magazine). Check it out!

I’ll be there. Click here for more details.

“If you love comedy, you’ll love this,” Jimmy Carr.

 

Randini: The man who helped Houdini

Some time ago I had a phone call from a woman who asked if she could call in to the Lounge to talk about a local magician. The woman was author Ann Beedham and the magician she wanted to discuss was Randolph Douglas, known as Randini. I have to confess that I’d never heard of the guy. Ann brought with her copies of magazine articles she’d written about Douglas — his short career as an escapologist; his friendship with Houdini; his museum, The House of Wonders, in the Derbyshire village of Castleton a few miles from Sheffield.

He was clearly a fascinating character and I promised to see what I could discover about him. I spoke to local magicians and those interested in the history of magic and escapology. Most had only heard of him vaguely, if at all. At this point I was beginning to think that Ann had set herself an almost impossible task in producing an entire book on this elusive man. I’m very pleased to say I was wrong.

A few days before the Southport IBM Convention Ann called in with a copy of the book. Absolutely fascinating! Randini: The man who helped Houdini is impeccably researched, copiously illustrated (32 colour plates alone!), and should be on the shelf of anyone with an interest in the history of magic and escapology. (And that should mean everyone who reads this blog!)

I rang the publisher and managed to get hold of stocks in time to take them to Southport. It became one of our best-sellers. Thanks must go to Peter Lane, who bought a copy on the first day and passed the word around, and to Eddie Dawes, who kindly gave us a mention during his History of Mystery talks.

I could continue, but I’ll let Ann Beedham tell you a little more:

“The stunt that helped to make Houdini a legend — escaping from a straitjacket whilst suspended hundreds of feet in the air wasn’t invented by the Master Mystifier. That honour belonged to a long forgotten Sheffield schoolboy… Randini: The Man Who Helped Houdini is the remarkable story of a fan who helped reinvent his hero. Modelling himself on the escape artist, collecting every picture and news item, the young Randolph Douglas lived in world almost as magical as the music halls glowing like coral reefs in the grey industrial wasteland. His pocket money bought not toys but locks, handcuffs and even straightjackets as he dreamed of future glory.

“But it wasn’t just a daydream. Somewhere along the way fantasy and reality emerged as Houdini, the man who dined with princes, the man who was more famous than anyone, came to tea and began a friendship that lasted to the end of his life. But it wasn’t just a star pandering to a wide-eyed fan…”

“What Douglas did next would change the course of magic’s history.” William Kalush and Larry Sloman, The Secret Life of Houdini.

This A5, 240-page book includes copies of letters between Houdini and Douglas; unpublished images from The Magic Circle archives; a detailed look at The House of Wonders, with its eclectic collection of locks and curiosities, details of acts seen at the Sheffield Empire; plus extensive background notes.

We now have further stocks available for immediate despatch from our own little glowing reef here in Sheffield. Randini: The Man Who Helped Houdini is available at the bargain price of £9.99, plus postage £2.65 (UK First Class), £4.20 (EU Air) or £7.77 (Rest of World Air). Paypal accepted.