Magazine of The Magic Circle May 2013

Magic & Medicine

A Therapeutic Mix
 THE MAGAZINE OF THE MAGIC CIRCLE
Issue 1162 Volume 107 May 2013
EDITORIAL 07507 275 285
EDITOR Will Houstoun
Editor@TheMagicCircle.co.uk
40 Derby Road, London, SW14 7DP
ASSISTANT EDITOR Tim Reed
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Anthony Brahams, Dr Edwin Dawes,
Scott Penrose, Ian Rowland, David Tomkins
CONVENOR OF REPORTS
Mandy Davis
Mandy@TheMagicCircle.co.uk
PAGE 132 PAGE 137 PAGE 141 PAGE 148 DESIGN 020 8521 2631
ART DIRECTOR
FEATURES John Hawkins
john.hawkins.7@btinternet.com
136 The World’s Largest Magic Convention: 104d Grove Road
Walthamstow E17 9BY
Blackpool 2013 – Will Houstoun
PROOFREADERS
138 Magic and Medicine: A Therapeutic Mix – Will Houstoun Paul Bromley, Julie Carpenter,
145 The Magic of Clocks – Michael Bailey Barry Cooper, Tim Reed, Lionel Russell,
Mary Stupple, Rob James, Darren Tossell
PHOTOGRAPHERS
John Ward, Mark Hesketh-Jennings,
REGULARS ADVERTISING 07767 336882
BUSINESS AND ADVERTISING MANAGER
130 President’s View Scott Penrose
130 Circular News Advertising@TheMagicCircle.co.uk
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132 In This Month – Will Houstoun MISSING AND BACK ISSUES
132 Letters to The Editor 01923 267 057
Michael Candy
133 Clever Devil Corner – Harold Cataquet Sound of Music, Harthall Lane,
134 Circular Mentalism – Ian Rowland Hemel Hempstead,
Herts HP3 8SE
144 From The Magic Circle Collection – Will Houstoun PRINTED BY
148 Club Night Events – Mandy Davis Perfect Imaging Ltd 020 8806 6630

152 A Rich Cabinet of Magical Curiosities – Edwin A Dawes Copyright © 2013 by The Magic Circle. All rights reserved. No part
of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval
system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
155 Reviews mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the
prior permission of the Editor of The Magic Circular.
Views expressed in The Magic Circular are those of the
156 The Magic Circle Cares – David Hatch contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of
The Magic Circle unless specifically stated. Whilst every effort is
157 Obituaries made to ensure the accuracy of all information published in
The Magic Circular, the Editor, Art Director, Staff and The Magic
Circle cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.
158 Council Minutes Contributions must reach the Editor six weeks in advance of
publication if it is essential that they should appear in the
second month following’s issue and should be sent via email,
160 Forthcoming club events – Noel Britten on computer disk or on CD whenever possible.

Cover
Magic and Medicine
Photo: Elanor Farmer
THERE IS A WAY hemiplegia, a condition that affects one side of the body
in a similar manner to a stroke, impairing movement.
Throughout the day it was a delight to see the children
enjoying learning and performing the magic that they
Will Houstoun MIMC were shown, and impressive to see the amount of effort
Published by that they were putting into both the physical actions
The Magic Circle
12 Stephenson Way I have been proud to bring you every single one of the required and the presentation of their tricks. It was then
London NW1 2HD cover features from the last fifteen issues of The Magic remarkable to talk to the workshop’s organisers, the
VAT Reg No 233 8369 51
All enquiries Circular and delighted with the time and insight that therapists, and some of the children’s parents, to hear
T 020 7387 2222 every single cover star has given me. Despite that, this about how the project has improved the children’s ability
month’s feature, about the work that David Owen and to move and control their hands and arms, and the way
Richard McDougall have done with Breathe Arts Health that changes their daily life.
Research, is one that I feel is particularly significant. That visit led to six interviews and a huge amount of
I first learnt about their work, which aims to use magic help and support for this month’s feature article – Magic
as a clinically beneficial therapeutic tool, in 2011 and & Medicine: A Therapeutic Mix. I hope you will find reading
since starting to edit The Circular I have wanted to feature about the work that David, Richard, and all involved with
it. Early this year, David and Richard decided that it was a the project are doing as inspiring as it has been for me to
good time for an article and invited me to Guy’s and St see and write about. It is magical, in every possible sense.
Thomas’ Hospital to attend one of their workshops.
Alongside two magicians and a cast of occupational
therapists, the attendees were a dozen or so children with
 CIRCULAR NE
PRESIDENT’S VIEW

Jack Delvin MIMC

photo: Darren Tossell

Everything goes around in circles – prospered and as many as six hundred new
especially the Chinese Rings theatres were built in the UK. This was repeated in THE MAGIC CIRCLE
various forms throughout Europe and, in the form CLOSE-UP MAGICIAN OF
A few thousand years ago somewhere out east a of Vaudeville, in the USA. THE YEAR 2013
beggar picked up a stone and made it disappear. Special acts sprang up to meet the huge Congratulations to Tim Shoesmith
Passers-by thought it was real magic from the demand and it became a golden age for dancers, MIMC who was awarded first prize
gods and threw coins to appease them – the birth singers, jugglers, ventriloquists, acrobats and, of in The Magic Circle Close-up
of street magic. course, magicians. The types of acts you could see Magician of the Year 2013. You can
The beggar realised he was onto a good thing six times a week, often plus matinees, covered a read a full report of Tim’s
and did it again with the same result. Seeing this whole variety of entertainment arts and the performance, as well as those of
another beggar made a stone appear and then theatres soon became known as Variety Theatres. the other competitors, in the club
disappear by magic – passers-by threw more What made it all come to an end? First the night reports section of the
money. Other beggars jumped on the new cinema, followed by television. In an attempt to magazine.
bandwagon and started making stones appear prolong their lives several theatres turned to
and disappear under earthenware pots – hence Burlesque. But this soon lost them their big MEMBERSHIP
the Cups and Balls. The magical beggars were audiences as their offering was not suitable for RENEWALS
invited into market places as an attraction to family audiences. Now, sixty years later, there are As mentioned last issue the
shoppers – the beginning of using magic as a signs of a revival! Burlesque is doing very well and majority of new Membership Cards
marketing tool. incorporating a varied programme of supporting will be dispatched on Monday 21
The Caliphs heard about this and invited these acts. May so it would be exceedingly
magicians into their palaces to entertain their Variety is becoming the ‘in-word’ in helpful if you are able to pay your
courts, where they cut and restored turbans, and entertainment circles. Not to be left out, in March, subscriptions as soon as possible
made plants grow by magic. It was even said they The Magic Circle put on an extremely successful before that date. If you have any
caused ropes to ascend into the air and made little variety show, Variety at The Magic Circle. The questions, or need a replacement
boys climb to the top and completely disappear! programme was headed by Max Somerset, The Renewal Form, please contact:
Travellers brought back tales of these World’s Maddest Mystifier, supported by that renewals@themagiccircle.co.uk
astonishing feats to Europe where magic became superbly funny ventriloquist, Kimmo, assisted by
a huge attraction in the drawing rooms of the Charlie, and Rodrigues, an extremely adept and A PRESIDENTIAL
great and the good. At that time the different juggler, once seen never forgotten. The RECORD
entertainment of the general public was provided show went down a storm and could be the start Brian Lead MIMC recently became
by travelling fairs which often included a magician of something big in the annals of our society. the first person in the one hundred
performing the Cups and Balls and the Chinese Some concern has been expressed regarding year history of the Modern Mystic
Rings. The other main attraction was the ale house. the building work going on in Stephenson Way. League to be elected President on
One day an alehouse keeper decided to attract The CMA is keeping a close watch on this and three separate occasions. Founded
more custom by employing a musician to plans to use this as a good opportunity to in 1913 the MML can boast that
entertain the drinkers with great success. Soon renovate our own building. It may mean that we over twenty-five percent of its
other alehouses followed suit with the addition of will have to put on some extra events to keep the membership are also Members of
ballad singers and singers of comical songs, who income coming in. The Magic Circle. Brian has also just
later became comedians. Who knows, a series of the new Variety Shows succeeded the late Tom Owen as
This entertainment proved to be so popular that may be the answer. our Regional Representative
alehouses added an extra hall to accommodate all covering Cumbria, Lancashire, the
the new clientele. Very quickly this new form of Isle of Man, Greater Manchester
entertainment became so popular that hundreds and Merseyside. Brian is hoping to
of very big theatres were built – thus started what organise a Northern Regional Day
became a multi-million way of life – the Music Hall. in the near future, and any ideas or
During the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, music halls President@TheMagicCircle.co.uk concerns can be addressed to him
at brianlead@themagiccircle.co.uk

130 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

WS

HOW ARE MAGICIANS FOR CORPORATE EVENTS AT l The process of applying for the pool must be clear and accessible to
THE CENTRE FOR THE MAGIC ARTS TO BE SUPPLIED? all Magic Circle Members.
l Selection has no relation to Membership degree.
Recently, the CMA have been supplying entertainment for venue events l The panel, for obvious reasons, is not publicly named, however the
directly. The benefits are bringing in valuable commission for the charity criteria for panel members are as follows:
and providing a wider range of acts. Of course this has been subject to l They must be experienced.
some due diligence as this aspect is often perceived as a prime source l Their opinion must be respected.
of employment. The reality is that there may only be one two corporate l No-one on the panel is eligible to perform themselves.
events a month that use a magician or any form of entertainment. l No-one on the panel should be an agent or represent others.
Only performers who will show The Magic Circle and The Centre for l The panel is accountable to the CMA board who in turn report to
The Magic Arts in the best light should be used but as a principle it was TMC Council.
agreed that a wide spread of Members should be given the opportunity
to apply, and that a pool of performers is used to prevent only a few Other Policy:
from benefitting. l All performers are required to be Members of TMC.
l If a performer is specifically requested by the hirer, the CMA will
General Principles: negotiate the rate with them on behalf of the client.
l The pool is made from The Magic Circle Membership. l If the agent or promoter wishes to directly provide their own Magic
l A panel selects who is appropriate for the pool. Circle magician they may do so, providing an agreed commission is
l The selections should be rotated where possible. paid.
l No single magician should be getting so much work as to depend l The CMA’s commission rate is between ten and twenty percent
on it. depending on the fee.
l The panel cannot accept into the pool someone they have not ALL
seen perform either on DVD or live. Members should be aware that the Find a Magician service provided by
l The General Manager offers the client a standard package of The Magic Circle website is a completely separate facility designed to
options without specifying performers. promote opportunity for casual employment of Members outside The
l Performers are offered the work by the General Manager taking Magic Circle. It is a paid for service and those interested should refer to
into account availability and suitability. www.themagiccircle.co.uk/find-a-magician. The magicians featured
l The General Manager will present an end of year tally of performers there in no way represent the pool of performers referred to above.
used to The Magic Circle Council and The CMA Board. If you would like to apply to be part of the pool of performers offered
l The General Manager will feed back to the panel, both positive and to clients hiring The Magic Circle Headquarters, visit
negative comments. www.themagiccircle.co.uk/organisation-info

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 131

 Sigmund Neuberger

IN THIS On 9 May, 1911, one hundred and two years before you read this

MONTH magazine, the famous Scottish magician Sigmund Neuberger died

in Edinburgh. You may be forgiven for not recognising Sigmund’s
name as he spent his career, as the highest paid magician in the
world, working under the stage name The Great Lafayette.

Will Houstoun MIMC Away from his performances it would seem that Lafayette was a
somewhat eccentric bachelor. He gave all his love and attention to
his pet dog Beauty, a gift presented to him by Houdini in 1899.
Within his home Beauty had her own room and bathroom and a
notice informed his guests: “You may drink my wine; you may
eat my food; you may command my servants; but you must
respect my dog.”

Lafayette’s death was no less unusual. A fire, during a performance

at the Edinburgh Empire Palace Theatre, claimed the life of
Lafayette and nine other people. Even in death Lafayette continued
to mystify. After the fire his body was found on stage, next to his
horse, and taken to Glasgow for cremation. Later that same night
his body was found for a second time in the basement of the
theatre. This second body was eventually identified as Lafayette,
thanks to to distinctive rings he used to wear, and it transpired
that the body that had previously been discovered belonged to an
assistant who acted as Lafayette’s double during the show.
Photo: TMC Archive

Lafayette’s ashes were paraded through the streets of Edinburgh

on 14 May in front of an estimated quarter of a million people. The
parade ended at Piershill Cemetery where Lafayette was buried
Lafayette and Beauty
alongside his beloved dog.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

STEVE ALLEN’S MAGIC CIRCLE MYSTERIES

Dear Editor
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part in my
recent fundraiser at The Magic Circle Headquarters. The performers, both
on stage and close-up, and the team of volunteers who crewed the show,
worked the front of house, did museum tours and collected the tickets all
deserve equal credit for giving my listeners an extraordinary day out.
Because of my strange working hours, I don’t get to visit our building
or Club Night as often as I would like.
However, after the last show, I received so much feedback from the
public who visited The Magic Circle, all of whom had nothing but high
praise for what we do. It reminds me just how lucky we are as Members
to have a truly unique and amazing venue. It also reminds me of the
extraordinary work that went into raising the funds to buy and build it,
and the never-ending challenge we all face as Members to ensure that
future generations are able to enjoy The Magic Circle Headquarters, The
Centre for The Magic Arts and all the heritage and entertainment that
happens within our dazzling home.
photo: Darren Tossell

Thank you again to everyone who helps make the magic happen and I
look forward to hosting another day at The Circle soon.
Steve Allen MIMC
[As some photographs from the show were available it seemed Clockwise from top: Mat Ricardo, Ed Hilsum, Steve Allen and
Nigel Mead
appropriate to include a few with Steve’s letter. Ed.]

132 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

 CLEVER DEVIL
CORNER context for the performance, so that the tricks
naturally follow from one another... Another
example is the length of time it takes for me
to add a trick to my working repertoire. I will
Harold Cataquet AIMC happily show someone something I am
working on, but there is a noticeable gulf
between tricks I play around with, and the
tricks I perform professionally. So, if I want to
work on trick C, I read everything about it
and only then do I start putting together a
Looking in the Mirror sure that I don’t get away with it all the time. I working version. I’ll start performing the trick
In the past, I’ve written about things that am trying to stop doing this, but I am conscious – showing it to friends, cutting and pasting
really bother me when I see them in the of this habit. the routines that I’ve read, and then editing it
performances of other magicians (eg poor down to something I like – but the main goal
presentations, one trick wonders, poor Variety Means Bulk is not to perform that effect, but rather to
technique etc). I thought, for a change, that One more than one occasion, I have seen Simon create a routine that is “different enough” to
I’d turn my eagle eye on my own Lovell’s one man show, Strange and Unusual the other ones that I’ve read to stand on its
performances and confess the things that I Hobbies, in New York City. Although he uses a own. This usually requires a burst of
don’t like in myself. I’ll limit myself to walk few comedy props in his seventy minute show, inspiration. There are probably hundreds of
around, that way I won’t exceed my editor’s he really entertains with only a pack of cards. tricks on my shelf waiting for that burst... See
word count limit! With my preference for variety, both in props what I mean!
and effects, there is a lot more for me to carry
The Scanning Eye around. In a normal walk-around set, I’ll have Long Tricks
When I am working a walk-around venue, I ropes, coins, cards, dice and more. My excuse is There is a place for short tricks and a place
like to keep an eye on all the tables I haven’t that this variety conveys versatility, and leaves a for long tricks. When you’re working walk
worked. People don’t always arrive at the better image in the audience’s mind than the around, one
same time so I can be working at table A but, usual “he did a bunch of things with cards”, I usually have could make a
as people walk in my line of sight (peripheral but the truth is that I am probably afraid of no choice but case for using
or direct), I look to see the tables that they cards. The moment I see a magician take out a only “short and
are sitting at and make a mental note that pack of cards my eyes glaze over and I dread to stop the sweet” tricks.
table B is now occupied. That all sounds very what is to follow. I have always assumed that trick where it However, all my
efficient, and may appear desirable, but this some portion of the audience is going to feel is and tricks are a bit
scanning eye has one bad side effect. When the same way so I decided early on in my on the long side.
you are performing for a group, you want performing career to use alternative props but promise to They’re not long
them to feel as though they are the center of always include a card trick. However, as time come back winded, but
your attention. Looking around, however goes on, I become more convinced that, on the later on they are usually
subtly, signals a momentary lack of interest in whole, people like card tricks. Or at least, more structured so
what you are performing and who you are people like card tricks than dislike card tricks. that they have at least three phases where
performing for. However, I still can’t bring myself to work with each phase is stronger than the previous one.
so I basically Moreover, we are just a pack of cards. I tell myself that I will, but This isn’t really optimal for a walk-around
often told to then at the last minute, I chicken out. environment because I sometimes have to
think that I “look where you stop in the middle of a trick, for example
can switch want your Paralysis by Analysis when the food arrives or a public
into auto audience to This isn’t really something that is evident in my announcement is made. When I am working
-pilot and the look”, so if you
are looking away,
performance, but it is a serious weakness
nonetheless. In the above paragraph, I
at a table and I have to move on, I usually
have no choice but to stop the trick where it
audience so will the mentioned the idea of basing a walk-around is and promise to come back later on. If the
won’t notice audience. Worst performance on only card tricks. Every time that tricks were shorter, I could probably have
yet, I am usually I sit down to that, I start writing down a list of completed the trick.
performing tricks that I’ve done hundreds of plots that would be different enough from one There are more weaknesses I can add to
time, so I basically think that I can switch into another to be able to replace my variety in this list, but... l
auto-pilot and the audience won’t notice. But props with variety in card effects. My problem is
when you’re in autopilot, you’re not really not the tricks, but the links between them. I
adding that extra energy that a normal don’t want to say “Let me show you another
performance would have. I might think I can card trick” and then begin with card trick
get away with it most of the time, but I am number two. Nor do I want to create an overall

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 133

 Spirit Writing

the card, or writes a couple of initials that mean something to her. No

force, no constraint, free choice all the way. You can look away while she
does this, because you never need to see what she’s drawing. You don’t
need to handle or even touch the business card on which she has done
her drawing, nor does it ever go into anything else – such as an envelope,
card case or wallet. It can stay in full view, face down, throughout the
routine.
At no point do you look at the spectator’s drawing, or try to, or need to.
Anyone watching like a hawk for the moment when you steal a glimpse
of the spectator’s drawing will be sadly frustrated because you never do.
In fact, you can invite the spectator to hide the card away, sit on it, fold it
or do whatever she wants.
You pick up your pocket note pad, open it up, and reproduce her
drawing as perfectly and precisely as you wish. There are no electronics
involved, and no guesswork. The spectator gets to keep both the card on
which she did her drawing and your identical drawing (neither are gaffed)
as souvenirs to puzzle over forever.
The basic method is not new. It was first brought to the mentalism
fraternity by Ali Nouira, who is duly credited on the DVD. What Paul and
Peter have done is revamped the basic idea and tried to streamline it a
little, as well as making it suitable for a busy close-up performer doing
walkabout who may want to repeat the trick instantly. Paul tells me he
went through about twenty different prototypes before he felt it was
Paul Nardini ready – so if any of his friends haven’t seen him for a while, now you
know why.

M entalists use a lot of peek and impression devices. There are

plenty of them around, each with their own pros and cons, some
stuffed with more electronics than NASA Mission Control. I’ve sworn by
Is The Ghost for everyone? No, of course not. Nothing is ‘for everyone’.
It all depends on what suits your style and the kind of gigs you do. It’s a
little bit expensive, so I would only advise you to buy it if it’s going to pay
the SUC case for years and, although that specific item is no longer for itself through a few paid gigs. Also, there are many simpler ways of
available, I’m pleased that quite a few modern alternatives provide the achieving a similar effect, but The Ghost allows you to go for a hands-off,
equivalent functionality. no glimpse, ‘test conditions’
If you wanted to have a good chat with someone about the various I do think it’s an presentation that you may, or may not,
options currently available, and which would be best for you to use, a feel will be worthwhile for you and your
extremely
very good person to ask would be Peter Nardi who runs Alakazam audiences.
magic. One reason for this is that over the past ten years he’s probably beautiful, All in all, I do think it’s an extremely
introduced more of these tools and devices to the magical fraternity powerful and beautiful, powerful and deceptive
than anyone else. Another good reason is that he still performs magic addition to the mentalism armoury.
deceptive
professionally. If Peter tells you that method A works well in a What’s more, I’ve negotiated a discount
walkabout situation, it’s because he tried it. If he tells you that method addition to the deal for you. The Ghost sells for £74.99.
B isn’t very good for close-up but works well on stage, it’s for the mentalism If you call Alakazam and mention this
same reason. article, you can get it for £64.99. This
armoury
Another good man to talk to would be Paul Nardini, an offer is for UK readers only, valid until
accomplished all-rounder who works mostly in the field of cabaret and the end of May 2013, and is subject to availability and dealer’s discretion.
corporate entertainment. Although Paul doesn’t specialise in Usual disclaimer: I have no vested interest here and I am not receiving
mentalism, he does enjoy including mind-reading magic in his shows, bribes or favours. When it comes to dealer items, I simply speak as I find,
and he has a very keen sense of what works and what doesn’t in the good or bad. I’m always happy to write about stuff I think will be of
real world. Spend five minutes chatting to Paul at a convention, about interest to the half-dozen people who read my articles.
any aspect of the magic scene, and you’ll hear a good deal of common
sense and valuable insight. Interesting Talks
Why am I telling you all this? Because for the past two years Paul This item will only be of interest to those who live in or near London, so I
has been working on a drawing duplication system that is now apologise to the rest of you. About eighteen months ago, Matt Kendall
marketed by Alakazam. It’s called The Ghost, and it’s something a bit started a ‘meet up’ group simply called Interesting Talks. This has grown
special. At the risk of sounding like a dealer ad, here’s what happens. and flourished into a major success, and he now organises about two or
You hand a spectator a business card or any similar bit of plain, three talks per week. The talks all take place in London and cost about £5
opaque, non-gaffed card. She makes any simple drawing she wants on each, which isn’t much.

134 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

 CIRCULAR MENTALISM

Ian Rowland MIMC

I’m telling you about this because many of the speakers that Matt I did make a point of watching Mark Mason’s lecture and visiting his
invites along, and many of the subjects they cover, will be of interest to dealer booth afterwards, simply because he’s one of the finest pitch
mentalists and anyone with an interest in the workings of the mind. For men there’s ever been in magic and he sells good stuff too. Mark
example, he has already featured talks by James Tripp, James Brown and knows how to make every pitch, and every lecture, fast, funny and
NLP experts such as Gemma Bailey (founder of NLP4Kids). Also, quite a entertaining, which is why it’s always a treat to watch him work a
few of the talks are aimed at entrepreneurs and those who need a bit of room. He’s also very generous. In every lecture, Mark always explains
motivation to get up and start doing their own thing instead of just everything and gives away all the methods, whether you buy anything
working for someone else. The website is: from him or not (a policy also followed by another of my favourite
www.meetup.com/Interesting-Talks-London lecturers, David Regal).
I did an ‘Interesting Talk’ for Matt a little while ago. It was a talk aimed I actually bought one of Mark’s items this year. It’s called Fully
at the general public (not magicians) and I covered subjects such as how Loaded and the basic plot is ‘chosen card to sealed deck’, although as
to persuade anyone to do anything. If you’re interested, you can always with Mark there are a few extra touches. You may tell me this
download the talk in readable form from my website. It’s free: isn’t mentalism, and you’re right. Then again, as I’ve argued many
www.ianrowland.com/MindTwists times, almost any trick (within reason) can be given mentalism
wrapping paper if you want. It’s all down to the scripting and
Loaded at Blackpool presentation and Fully Loaded, for example, could in theory be about
I go to the Blackpool magic convention every year. I always love it and I memory, perception and the unreliability of our own senses.
always have a great time, largely because it’s an opportunity to hang out However you want to present it, Fully Loaded is a superb and highly
with so many wonderful friends from around the world. This year, if you deceptive item. The amount of thought and meticulous attention to
timed things well, it was also an opportunity to see Romany, Diva of detail that Mark has put into the effect is very impressive. You get
Magic, present her first full-length solo evening show. This was part of the everything you need and the DVD explaining the trick is one of the best
annual Showzam! festival of variety, which is entirely separate from the and clearest I’ve ever seen.
Convention but usually overlaps with it, which is rather pleasantly
convenient. Romany’s show was great, of course. There’s nothing anyone QUICK TRICK
can teach her about putting on a wonderful evening of thoroughly The Basil Horwitz mentalism books are wonderful and well worth
delightful and entertaining magic, and of course she looked like a million reading. Here’s an idea that takes one of his earliest and sneakiest
dollars because she always does. creations, The Challenge Book Test, and just updates it a little with
When I go to Blackpool, or any other convention, I don’t spend much props that weren’t around in Basil’s day.
time in the dealers’ den because I seldom use any dealer items. However, You need a small stack of your business cards. The cards need to
have blank write-on-able backs. You hold the stack of cards face up.
Spec takes one, writes the last two digits of her phone number on the
back, then turns it face up so you can’t see what she wrote. This gets
replaced on top of your face up stack of business cards. You mention
that as she has only provided the last two digits, you can’t possibly call
her with your phone. By way of emphasis, and just for a brief second
you tap the stack of cards with the flat part of your mobile phone.
Unknown to the spectator, on the underside of your phone you have
something that can stick to, and lift, the card she wrote on. It can be a
bit of Blu-Tack, Pritt Buddies, double-sided tape or even a bit of
chewing gum if you’re improvising. So your phone lifts up the card she
wrote on, and you can glimpse the info in a split second. Now you can
read her mind, in whatever egregiously theatrical manner you wish. l

Invitation
If you have items, stories, jokes or vicious rumours of interest to
mentalists, please drop me a line (ian@ianrowland.com). If you can’t
Mark Mason afford Derren and want to hire a fairly good also-ran mentalist, or you
just have time to kill, please visit www.ianrowland.com.

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 135

 The World’s
? ? Largest
Magic Convention

? ? Blackpool 2013
by Will Houstoun MIMC

T he Blackpool Magicians’ Club Convention has been, for a

number of years, a very popular event that attracts an
extraordinary number of registrants. This year’s convention, which
took place from 22 to 24 February, was even larger than usual

? ? attracting a record breaking crowd of over 3400 people! So what

else stood out from a weekend at the world’s largest ever magic
convention?
One thing that size brings to an event is the power to book large
numbers of great magicians. If you attended all the lectures, for
example, you would have seen all of the following performers by
the end of the weekend (although I suspect that might be too
much magic for even the biggest magic lover): Jay Scott Berry,
Nicholas Einhorn, Dirk Losander, Colin McLeod, Johan Stahl,
Matthew Wright, Jan Logemann, Simon Lovell, David Merry,

? ?
Anthony Owen, Michael Weber, David Williamson, Yuji Yasuda, Zeki
Yoo, Phil Cass, Gary Dunn, Michael J Fitch, Patrick Lehnen, Mark
Mason, Mel Mellers, Joe Monti and Natalie & Eli. Whilst I defy
anyone not to see at least a couple of lecturers they would like to
see amongst that list there is always one problem with attending a
lecture at the world’s largest magic convention – the audience is so
large. Some of the time this is no issue at all but, on occasion, it
would be nice to spend a little time with a lecturer in a more

?
intimate setting. To facilitate this an event called Magic Speed
Dating was introduced to the convention. Registrants sat in small
groups at ten tables and ten lecturers spent ten minutes with each

? ? group before moving on to a new table in what is effectively the

magic lecture equivalent of a table hopping gig. Not only did this
present the opportunity to watch a lecturer teach a trick close-up
but many of the speakers decided to allow their audiences to
determine the content of their talks, providing instruction that was
truly tailored to a particular group’s interests and aspirations.
Personal highlights of the convention were the gala shows that
featured a great variety of magic, speciality acts and even, much to
my surprise, singing! Describing every act that appeared would
turn this into a feature-length article but here are a few of my
highlights. There were plenty of comedy performers but two who
stood out were Mel Mellers and David Williamson. Williamson, in
particular, was impressive to watch not only for his side-splitting
It’ss not too late...
comedy but also for the skilful way in which he interacted with a
stage full of children, including a little girl who decided she didn’t
really want to be on stage after enthusiastically running up to help
a few moments earlier. Fans of bird acts would have been thrilled
August 11–14, 201
20133 to see Philip Hitchcock on Saturday, particularly his clever take on
The Orleans Hotel, Las V
Vegas
egas
the cage vanish that seems to be an almost universal end to a dove
act. After an enjoyable Saturday they were then in for what might
be an even bigger treat as Marko Karvo performed his immaculate
act on Sunday earning a well deserved standing ovation. Other

136 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

FISM winners who appeared in shows included Yann Frisch who added a a master class, close-up magic shows, a children’s magic competition, an
twist to his act when he literally died on stage and Prince of Illusions who after gala party and, of course, a packed dealers’ room with over one
closed the Saturday night show. As ever the speciality acts stood out and hundred and twenty exhibitors.
Tony Freebourg and Antje Pode, performing diabolo and foot juggling All that says nothing of the fantastic social environment that is created
respectively, wowed the audience. when a few thousand magicians descend on a small area and for many
All of the above performers worked in the Saturday and Sunday night the highlights of the weekend, no matter how good the formal events
shows but the best show overall, at least for me, was the Friday night were, will have been the sessions and conversations that were taking
Korean show. Yu Ho Jin reprised his FISM winning act and many other place almost twenty four hours a day during the convention.
performers, who were either a hit at FISM or last years Blackpool Derek Lever, the main convention organiser, along with his team of
convention also performed their acts. Alongside Yu Ho Jin’s phenomenal hard working assistants, stewards and stage crew all deserve recognition
card manipulation Haon Gun performed an act themed around t-shirts for all the work that goes into putting on what is now officially the
with fantastic energy and Ted Kim wowed the audience with an act based biggest magic convention the world has ever seen. Next year’s convention
around a special projection system. It was also a pleasure to see Yuji will take place between 21 and 23 February 2014. l
Yasuda, South Korea’s magical patriarch, appearing alongside his
protégés. Photography by Daniel Eden. To see more visit
Aside from the evening stage shows there was also an afternoon show www.eden-photography.net then use the codes ‘BMCDAY1’,
featuring Wayne Dobson and a selection of his magical friends as well as ‘BMCDAY2’ and ‘BMCDAY3’ on the ‘Proofing’ page.

David Williamson Matthew Wright

Marko Karvo Derek Lever

Prince of Illusions The Dealer's Hall

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 137

 MagicA Therapeutic
& Medicine Mix
Interviews by Will Houstoun MIMC

F or the last five years David Owen MMC

and Richard McDougall MIMC have been
working on Breathe Magic, a project that
physical skills and emotional well-being of the
participants. Before a camp, for example,
children were using two hands for only twenty
Will: How did Breathe Magic start?
David: In my professional life I wasn’t getting
enough time to perform magic so I wanted to
integrates magic and performance skills into -five percent of a range of activities, whereas see if I could use my magical knowledge in
medical therapy programmes. The project uses after the camp they were using two hands for another way. I was aware of David Copperfield’s
medical research to investigate the use of magic ninety-three percent of the same activities. Project Magic, and I was interested to see if
as a therapeutic tool, and aims to teach To find out more about these remarkable some sort of programme could be developed
magic to a high level so that patients not only developments, I spoke with Richard and David with hospitals. I was particularly interested to
benefit physically, but also gain confidence and about their work and also interviewed the lead see if a solid clinical case could be made for
self-esteem. The main group they have worked occupational therapist, the director of research magic as a therapeutic tool.
with recently are children with hemiplegia, a and evaluation, and the managing director of
condition which affects one side of the body in Breathe. I was also able to talk with one of the Will: So you started approaching hospitals?
a similar way to a stroke. They’ve helped to participating children’s parents to get a further David: Yes. Around 2007 I started cold calling
devise and run intensive magic camps, which insight into how Breathe Magic is affecting a number of hospitals, telling them I was a
have shown impressive results in improving the people’s lives. magician, and asking whether there was
Photos: Elizabeth Waight

A Breathe Magic workshop visits The Magic Circle

138 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

something that could be done using magic.
Initially I got absolutely no response but, after Yvonne Farquharson – Managing the Magic
about two years of knocking on lots of doors,
Guy’s and St Thomas’ showed an interest. They
had an arts coordinator, Yvonne Farquharson,
who totally understood the idea. We were quite
quickly put in touch with Dido Green, who is a
very knowledgeable clinician and researcher, and
she was keen to develop the idea into a research
project. It was the combination of their enthusiasm
and support from the Guy’s and St Thomas’
Charity that got the project off the ground.

Will: And when did you get involved Richard?

Richard: After David had done a lot of the Yvonne watching the sponge balls
groundwork he called me and asked if I would
go into the hospital with him for a meeting. We Will: You are the Managing Director of and poetry in public areas of the hospital to
didn’t have too much idea of what we could Breathe Arts Health Research. Can you tell encourage people to think of the hospital as
help them with but, from the moment they me about what Breathe does? a hub in the community rather than a place
described some of the problems that children Yvonne: Breathe is a not-for-profit social to be feared. We deliver over a thousand
with hemiplegia experience, it struck us that enterprise that has spun out from Guy’s and events per year to the Guy’s and St Thomas’
magic could really help. St Thomas’ Charity. I worked at Guy’s and St Hospitals and their local communities.
Thomas’ Charity as their Performing Arts
Will: So from the start it was about hemiplegia? Manager for five years designing and Will: What is unique about Breathe Magic
David: That was the main thing. They wanted developing a range of arts and health as a project for Breathe?
to see what we could teach occupational projects and deploying them within the
s

therapists generally but the focus was on hospital and local community. During that Yvonne: What is particularly exciting about
period the projects started to develop in new Breathe Magic is that it can change the way
and exciting ways. We were able to integrate people think about arts in healthcare. We
medical research and evaluation to really integrated medical research into the project
ground our work in something far more since day one and, by underpinning it with
robust than anecdotal evidence. robust research, we can talk to healthcare
Our work started to attract attention professionals in their language, something
nationally and internationally and with the that not all arts and health projects can do.
support of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity I We can demonstrate the clinical benefits of
was encouraged to set up a separate our work rather than having to ask people to
organisation – Breathe Arts Health ‘believe’ that it will be good. I think there is a
Research. Breathe was set-up in April 2012 real potential to develop the way that
to enable us to take our work beyond Guy’s healthcare is delivered in the future and we
and St Thomas’ Hospitals and benefit people can use projects like Breathe Magic as
on a wider scale, whilst still working in examples of how if you inject creativity into
partnership with Guy’s and St Thomas’ to healthcare things can often work better.
deliver innovative arts and health work
locally. A year on, we are working with a Will: And are people taking notice of
number of organisations nationally including Breathe’s work with the magic?
Great Ormond Street Hospital, Oxford Yvonne: Yes. We have just heard that the
Brookes University, Thackray Medical Museum NHS Lambeth Commissioning Group have
(Leeds) and Royal Academy of Music. agreed to fund the Breathe Magic camp and
the six months of follow-up workshops with
Will: Before talking about magic, what mainstream NHS funding. That is a
other kinds of project do you work on? groundbreaking step that really shows that
Yvonne: We have a large-scale music this is a clinically recognised service rather
project running across public and clinical than just a nice arts project. That has been an
areas of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals and aim ever since we started this work five or so
the communities of Southwark and Lambeth, years ago and reflects an attitude shift in the
which delivers bespoke concerts to high NHS to look at projects that are outside the
stress or long wait areas. Musicians give norm. This is a big moment as it is an
concerts and workshops as a way of reducing example of the NHS recognising an arts and
anxiety and humanising the healthcare health project as something with a clinical
environment. We also have other benefit that is worthy of investment of
performance-based events including dance mainstream funds. l

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 139

 hemiplegia. It was a very interesting synergy therapeutic goals we wanted to achieve.
because both sides of the project – magical David: We also got to see the way in which
and medical – quickly realised that this was the therapists and consultants were interacting
something that could work. with the children. We saw the precise way in
which the children were being helped with
Will: So what were the first Breathe Magic particular actions, and that gave us a whole
projects? new perspective on what they were looking for.
Richard: We started by teaching occupational
therapists a repertoire of tricks. That was a Will: Later you were directly involved in
really interesting time because it was whilst we workshops and sessions with the children. How
were teaching them that we started to learn did you design them?
more about what material was suited to the Richard: David and I met regularly to Richard teaching a ring trick

Dido Green – Science and Magic

Will: You are Breathe’s Director of Research Will: So how did Breathe Magic develop? children with hemiplegia that measure the
and Evaluation, can you tell me a little about Dido: Initially we taught a group of quality of their weaker hand’s movement in
your background? occupational therapists how to do a few simple play and in achieving a task that requires
Dido: I used to be a professional ballet tricks so that they could use them across four bimanual skill. We also look at the weaker
dancer but, after an injury, I retrained home-based sessions with different hemiplegic hand’s ability to grasp and release items and
studying biochemistry. I then trained as an children. We asked the children and the parents the speed with which they can do that.
occupational therapist before getting a how they found using magic as part of the Finally, we look at how often they are using
Masters degree in clinical neuroscience and a therapy. It turned out that a lot of the children both their hands, rather than asking for help
PhD researching motor learning in children. did go away and practise of their own accord so or avoiding using their weaker hand, in
My post-doctoral work was based on it did remove the parents’ role as nagging day-to-day activities. We also encourage
studying childhood strokes. It was whilst I taskmasters. children to define meaningful goals they wish
was doing my post-doctoral studies that I then developed the programme by to achieve through participation, and rank
David approached the hospital with the idea integrating the magic into an intensive motor and measure their attainments across these
of using magic. learning protocol for bimanual therapy and goals at different times.
including an overall magic theme for a ten-day
Will: What did you think when you met magic camp. That allowed us to look at the Will: And can you compare the results with
David and Richard? movements in the tricks but also to work on other studies?
Dido: When I first saw the tricks that they performance and do other things like making Dido: It is not quite that straightforward
were doing I thought they were wonderful costumes. All but one child who did not wish to because we included children with more
hand activities. At the time we were very be associated with ‘disability’ loved it and severe movement impairment and also
aware that, for children to benefit from wanted to come back so it was very successful. included a broader age range. Controlling for
therapy, they need to practise their hand We also looked at consolidating the children’s those factors, however, we did see that the
exercises consistently but that normally progress by running monthly magic clubs children made substantial progress. The
means that the parents wind up having to afterwards. camps were also, for a lot of the children, the
nag them all the time. The magic really first time they had met other people with
motivated the children to want to do their Will: And how would you test what the gains are? hemiplegia so the group provided a forum for
exercises for fun. Dido: We use a standard set of tests for discussion, sharing of their experiences of
having a hemiplegia which appears to have
additional psycho-social benefits for them.
Because we have a fairly small sample size,
and one child’s results can overly affect the
results, we cannot effectively compare our
results to other studies.
How well a child is feeling on the
particular assessment day also has a huge
impact on the results. One child recorded that
he felt zero out of one hundred in terms of
how well he was on one of the magic club
days due to a very heavy cold but, even
though he was feeling that rotten, he still
Photos: Elanor Farmer

wanted to be at the magic club so much that

he made the effort to come. That says a huge
amount about how motivating the magic
Dido chooses a card can be, regardless of particular test scores in
the data. l

140 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

brainstorm ideas, but we also learned a lot from
actually doing the sessions. There were tricks we Amarlie Moore – An Occupational Therapist’s View
thought would be quite easy that turned out to
be very challenging, and others that we thought
might be too difficult which the children
performed amazingly well.
David: It is different to most magic teaching
as we are having to deliberately make it more
difficult for the children. If they have a problem
with one hand we could come up with any
number of tricks that do not require two hands,
but the point is to make both hands work. There
is an important balance to be maintained in
keeping the material challenging, but also
achievable.

Will: Can you give an example of a trick that

worked well and one that didn’t?
Richard: There was a little coin routine that
was too difficult because each hand has to take Amarlie at a workshop
the lead for one part of the sequence, and that
demands more of the affected hand than it can Will: You are an occupational therapist who your hold when you are taking the cups out
give. Something that almost seemed worked on Breathe Magic. Could you explain of the stack that you are holding. If you want
tailor-made for the programme was the Cups exactly what an occupational therapist does? to take it a step further and really challenge
and Balls. The effort that they had to put in to Amarlie: Occupational therapy is a health the skills of the assisting hand, picking the
the trick was enormous, but the smoothness profession that focuses on using “meaningful balls up and putting them on top of the cups
they achieved with it was really impressive. activity” as a way to rehabilitate or develop involves really quite precise actions that are
skills. The ultimate goal is to develop really challenging for the children to perform
Will: And did you construct the session so that independence or improved abilities with the with their weaker hand.
the tricks became gradually more difficult? tasks the person has to do in their daily life, The reason we need to practise these
David: The progression was important so things like dressing, eating, writing, or cutting things though is because these are the same
we began with easy tricks that have a strong with scissors. To make the therapy more fun movements and grasp patterns that you need
pay-off. Equally, at an early stage, we would or motivating, so that the person wants to do for more complex two-handed tasks like
encourage them to start practising something it, we try to embed the therapy targets into doing up buttons or tying shoelaces, so this is
difficult, for example the sponge balls. games or activities that the person likes or why we really want to practise and develop
Richard: It also varies from one child to wants to do. That is why magic is perfect for these hand skills but in a fun way. It was
another. Some need more pay-off than others occupational therapy. amazing how every day one of the kids
for the amount of work they put in. Even the would come back to camp and say
simplest tricks still require them to use both Will: Why is magic particularly useful for something like, “I opened my crisp packet last
hands though. We also encouraged them to children with hemiplegias? night for the first time” or “I put on my tights
stretch their arms out, under the guise of Amarlie: Children with hemiplegia tend to all by myself.” These were not things we
showing their audience what was happening, find certain types of movement and actions specifically practised but they were able to do
which is another action that is important for difficult, but using the magic tricks that David it because all intensive practice they’d been
s

their therapy. This is the kind of thing that we and Richard came up with we are able to doing through the magic tricks developed the
encourage them to practise and develop hand skills they needed for these tasks.
these skills in a fun way.
Will: From an occupational therapist’s point
Will: One trick the children learned was the of view, how has the project gone?
Cups and Balls. What skills would that give Amarlie: It is the best thing I have ever
them for day-to-day life? been a part of as an occupational therapist.
Amarlie: A lot of them would struggle to We are constantly trying to find ways to
open their hand to get an object in it, to develop these hand skills in children but,
sustain their grasp on an object so that their because the condition is congenital or
dominant hand can manipulate it, to control acquired early in life, they can get quite
their reach and to place an object on the bored with the same old exercises and
table. It is also very hard to control more activities that they have had to do for years.
delicate movements like grasping a small A lot of the parents have said that the magic
object at the fingertips. The cups and balls is the first thing that the kids have gone
involves all those different aspects. You have home and worked on, not seeing it as
to pick up the cups and hold them in your therapy, but as something they just really
David watching a string trick
assisting hand, you have to grade the force of want to do. l

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 141

 Richard: I think if any one of those elements
had been missing it would have been a real
struggle. Also, because we were on a very tight
budget, we were very fortunate to have the
support of International Magic who helped us
obtain all the props that the children used.
Without their support the courses wouldn’t
have worked nearly so well. The Centre for The
Magic Arts also let us take the children to The
Magic Circle Headquarters at the end of a
recent project, which was a real treat for them. I
love going to The Magic Circle on a Monday
night, but when you see it through fresh eyes
you suddenly realise what an extraordinary
building we have.

Will: So far we have talked about the physical

benefit of the magic, what about the
psychological side?
Photos: Elanor Farmer

David: Improving their self-confidence and

self-esteem was always part of our aim. We are
as rigorous as we can be, making sure that the
Richard teaching card magic as Dido looks on children can perform as well as possible, and
that they understand the importance of
performing even simple tricks to a high
could only do because we were working in. They also seem to love the idea that, in standard.
alongside top quality occupational therapists, learning magic, they can become special in a Richard: We always emphasise the
who know the best way to help the children positive way. importance of communication in magic. We
move in the best possible way from a teach them about eye contact, pausing, and
therapeutic perspective. Will: You have mentioned a couple of the finding the magic moment. They really grasped
David: The children also had to do other people who were involved with the project, can those ideas and remembered how important
things as part of the programme. They made you tell me a little bit more about the team? they are when they were performing. We also
costumes, and even the boxes we gave them to David: The team that has come together is tried to make sure that they were ready to show
keep their magic props in were chosen so that fantastic. We have Yvonne who is a brilliant people their magic before they performed for
they had to use two hands to open them. The administrator, Dido who is a recognised anyone. We wanted to make sure performing
thinking was bigger than just the magic tricks. It authority as a clinician and academic, and would boost their confidence rather than
involved a complete, integrated programme to Amarlie who is a senior occupational therapist diminish it.
maximise the therapeutic benefit to the and really “gets” magic.
children. Will: So did they do shows as part of the
Will: And then you were both there, two project?
Will: It sounds like you asked for a lot of work fantastic magicians! Richard: We have done three ten-day courses
from the children. and had a show at the end of each. For some of
Richard: I think one of the biggest things for these children physically getting up the steps
me was seeing just how much they would apply onto the stage was not an easy thing, but then
themselves to getting a trick right and how they also had to do a trick for over a hundred
much they would practise. That was the whole people. I remember that after one of the shows,
point because their normal therapy is quite one of the children came over to us and said:
repetitive, and perhaps not as exciting as magic. “This is the best day of my life.” That is hugely
With the magic the children got excited and rewarding.
really wanted to practise and do their exercises.
That is one of the reasons why the results from Will: There must have been some fantastic
the project have been so astonishing – the moments.
work wasn’t imposed on the children, it was David: All of the children have been fantastic
something they wanted to do. characters and it has been hugely enjoyable and
David: These children are often better moving to see how magic has affected them.
students than children without hemiplegia. They Richard: After the first summer camp there
already know that physical skills are difficult, was a charming boy who had problems
and that they have to work on their hand gripping and lifting things, and who said he
movements if they want to master a new skill. It could now lift a coin off the table. I put a ten
is no great surprise to them that they have to pence piece down and told him that, if he
Rope magic
go away to practise, so they really put the work could lift it, he could have it. He tried and he

142 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

tried and he tried but he was tired after a Will: So what happens next? patients in all situations but there are a lot of
long day and just couldn’t do it. I swapped David: The initial aim was to show that magic ways to use it as a therapeutic tool. Exploring
the coin for a pound, and it just flew off the does make a clinical difference. We think we’ve those possibilities is where the future lies.
table into his pocket as his face lit up! I don’t achieved that, and we now want to develop our
know whether it was because he had conned existing work, and carry out more research [A short documentary about one of the Breathe
me out of a pound, or because he was so relating to it. We are also expanding the project Magic Camps, courtesy of Breathe Arts Health
pleased with what he could now do, but I to help people with emotional and psychological Research, can be seen in the Member’s only
would have put fifty pounds down and if difficulties, and are about to start pilot work area of The Magic Circle Website
I saw him pick it up then it would have been with adult stroke victims. Autism is another area www.themagiccircle.co.uk/the-magic-circular-ba
money well spent. to consider. Magic will not to work with all ck-issues Ed] l

Kathy Bryant – Tristan’s Experience of Breathe Magic

Will: Your son, Tristan, was one of the
children who took part in the Breathe Magic
programme. Can you tell me a little about
him?
Kathy: Tristan’s hemiplegia is something he
has always had, but he wasn’t diagnosed
until he started to have seizures. He was
admitted to hospital where he had a CT scan,
and it was possible to diagnose that he had
had a stroke that had damaged the brain and
paralysed him completely down one side.
He started physical and occupational
therapy to strengthen that side of his body,
but the NHS doesn’t address the weaker
upper limb. I learned how to do some
physiotherapy on his arm and would spend
forty minutes each day working on it, but
Tristan could never understand why I was
spending time on his arm because he just Kathy with Tristan
couldn’t make the arm work. I saw an
interview with Dido on London Tonight on Will: So what was his hand able to do after him get excited. The magic tricks continued to
the television a few years ago, and that was the camp compared to beforehand? be very powerful as therapy and also had
the first time I discovered someone who was Kathy: For years his hand was almost always knock-on effects. At school Tristan’s academic
doing exactly what I wanted to be able to do clenched in a tight fist. He was unable to relax work picked up because he had
to help Tristan. apart from when he was fast asleep and his self-confidence. He can read better and he
fingers would gradually uncurl a bit. On day six shows more interest, because he now knows
Will: So he went to the magic camp. How of the camp he was working with Amarlie on he can do things that before he never
do you think he found it? the Cups and Balls, and all the repetition and imagined he could.
Kathy: It is very difficult to put into words practice paid off when he was able to watch his Also a lot of the tasks in the magic tricks
the myriad of benefits the camp had. The first own fingers work for the very first time in his are related to day-to-day activities that have
day we arrived early and watched the life. By the end he had the power to control and made the quality of his life better. For
occupational therapists and magicians set move his fingers. He was able to use a pinching example, instead of me having to cut up his
everything up. Tristan watched the other boys grip, uncurling all his fingers and then using his food he now can hold a knife and fork and
and girls arrive and, because of the way they index finger and thumb to grip something. cut up his own dinner. We take bimanual
moved, you could see him realise that he dexterity for granted so much, but not having
wasn’t alone and that there were other Will: So was the magic motivating for him? had it makes you appreciate just how
people with the same difficulties. Up until Kathy: Absolutely. He was so highly motivated important it is.
that point we had never come across another because for once in his life he was a step ahead Of course age will have had something to
child with hemiplegia. of his peers. He was so proud of himself, and it do with it, but the magic camp happened at
The magic was also something very gave him so much self-esteem and confidence. a time when he was ready to try things, and
different to do, something exciting and new. That was also an amazing benefit. it all came together in a very wonderful and
Richard stood up at the front and asked if really magical way. We are so grateful to
anyone had a magic wand because he Will: Since the magic camp there have been Yvonne, Dido, Richard, David, Amarlie and all
needed one for his first trick – from that magic club meetings. Has Tristan’s interest and the occupational therapists for everything
moment they were enthralled. Then David development continued? they have done. This is real research that
joined in and it was phenomenal to see the Kathy: The minute that Tristan sees Richard affects the quality of children’s lives as well
way they all reacted. and David come into the hospital you can see as everyone around them. l

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 143

From The
Magic Circle
Collection
by Will Houstoun MIMC

In some ways J N
Maskelyne (December
22, 1839 – May 18,
1917) has a lot to answer
for. In the Victorian
period Maskelyne
created the idea, as well
as the mechanism, for a
coin operated lock that
could be attached to
toilet doors. The lock was
operated when the
visitor, desiring to use the
facilities within, inserted
a penny. Hence the
popular euphemism:
“Going to spend a
penny.” An example of
Maskelyne’s lock can be
found in The Magic
Circle’s collection and
currently resides in The
Devant Room.
photo: Darren Tossell

144 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

 Robert-Houdin and the

Magic of Clocks by Michael Bailey MIMC

S ince the thirteenth century when the first mechanical clock

was invented, timepieces have fascinated people – and no
wonder. Anyone who has seen the remarkable astronomical clock
father of modern magic. It’s
less well known that his
Mysterious Clocks, created
in Prague first constructed about 1400, or the one above Anne in the 1800s, are
Boleyn’s Gate at Hampton Court Palace made one hundred years considered by today’s
later, will have been enchanted by their beauty and utterly horologists to be a triumph
bewildered by their mechanics. of the clockmaker’s art and
By the 1600s music and automata had been added to the best of this genre.
important public clocks, making them even more intriguing. Today Robert-Houdin, who had
you can enjoy listening to the wonderful musical clock in Bruges, already used his skills to
or watch the figures of Mr Fortnum and Mr Mason make their produce some amazingly
appearance through side doors of the clock above their Piccadilly complex automata, started
store, then turn and bow to each other as the hour strikes. What inventing and
a delightful way to be told the time. manufacturing his magical
The early clockmakers must have been the most advanced and timepieces around 1836. The Astronomical Clock at
Hampton Court Palace
inventive technicians on the planet, and in a final layer of But well before he caused
ingenuity these mechanical maestros added mystery clocks. These heads to be scratched, other mystery clocks were perplexing
clever timepieces challenged people to discover how they could people.
possibly work without, apparently, any power or any connection Southern Germany is an area of Europe best known for making
from the movement to the hands that showed the time. clocks incorporating a chirpy bird that pops out and announces

s
Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin has long been recognised as the the hour with the distinctive song of a cuckoo. This area of the

The Robert-Houdin Mysterious Clock The Robert-Houdin third series A Robert-Houdin Square-Dialled
(second series) mystery clock presented to the Mystery Clock
Society by David Baldwin MIMC and
on display in The Devant Room at HQ

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 145

 Black Forest also produced the first mystery
clocks in the early seventeenth century,
followed in the eighteenth century with what
were termed Mysterious Circulator clocks
designed to puzzle the public still further. These
showed the time with a single hand that
revolved without any obvious motivation. Later
versions had two hands to indicate both hours
and minutes. Although the first of the
Mysterious Circulator clocks was made around
1770, the same principle was still being used at
the end of the twentieth century. In the 1980s a
version appeared in the window of a bank. On
its dial was written:

“TIME TO START AN ACCOUNT”

And underneath were the words: Mechanics’ Magazine Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin 1805 – 1871
“No clock works – no electricity –
no magnets – no air control.
What makes it go? Ask the man inside.”

It’s doubtful if the man inside knew the answer,

but at least this ‘window stopper’ may have
encouraged more people to come through the
door. And what did make it go? A small watch
movement hidden in the hand combined with
clever counterbalancing did the trick.
In the nineteenth century so-called Perpetual
Motion clocks were also mysterious enough to
fool the public. The most plausible of these was
made in Switzerland in 1815 by father and son
clockmakers Jean & David Geiser. Their
attractive timepiece had an outer wheel that
revolved with an inner clock dial that told the
time. It appeared to work by weights that
moved in and out at the sides of the outer
wheel, apparently providing enough leverage to
keep it turning everlastingly. But as there’s no Antonio Diavolo, Robert-Houdin’s small but amazingly agile automaton was included in his
such thing as perpetual motion this had to be theatre show
an horological illusion. In fact the mystery of 1900s and sold as cheaply as thirty shillings. Robert-Houdin had already proved his
the Geiser timepiece was solved by a Today, modern versions are available with the outstanding mechanical skills with a series of
small spring hidden in the central main pendulum swinging on everything from wonderful automata. An early triumph was a
arbour supplying the necessary the arm of a barmaid to the trunk of an miniature gymnast christened Antonio Diavolo
power. elephant! that performed all manner of agile feats whilst
In the late eighteenth century In July 1831, twenty-five year old clockmaker swinging on a trapeze, with the little fellow
the first Mystery Swinging Clocks Jean Eugène Robert married the daughter of finally dropping from the trapeze into the
appeared in France. The pendulum Jacques-François Houdin, a highly respected outstretched arms of his master.
swings inexplicably to and fro horologist in Blois. Jean Eugène added Houdin It was after completing these early automata
even though the clock to Robert, and the newly-wed and and before the birth of his two masterpieces,
movement is not linked to the newly-named Robert-Houdin starting working The Writer and the Singing Nightingale, that
outstretched arm – often of a with his father-in-law. Shortly afterwards their Jean Eugène produced the timepieces that
classical lady – from which it’s finances were badly hit because the lawyer who defied explanation as to how they worked. In
suspended. In this clever had invested their joint savings was declared just a few years he was to invent, construct, and
Swinging Clocks
timepiece another small bankrupt and all their money was lost. Young sell no less than six series of mystery clocks,
from the Ansonia
Clock Company’s pendulum concealed in the Robert-Houdin was saved by offering the public each more bewildering than the last.
catalogue of 1880 clock movement powers the his new Alarm-Light, a device that chimed at The first had a solid dial with two hands that
larger swinging pendulum. In Victorian times the pre-set hour and simultaneously lit a candle were driven by a movement in the base via a
these mystery clocks became popular helped by so the bleary-eyed sleeper could see well series of shafts and bevel gears concealed in
the American company Ansonia who entered enough to get up and about. This gadget sold the decorative ormolu casing. The second series
the market with similar, but less expensive, so well Jean Eugène was able to resume work took a quantum leap forward with the opaque
variants. on his automata and even begin to dream of a dial replaced with clear glass. This was a real
These clocks were still being produced in the new career as a stage magician. mystery as there seemed no way the single

146 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

elegant hand isolated in the centre of the song, and The Writer. This figure wrote the helped him achieve his ambition of presenting
transparent glass dial could move round and answers to submitted questions in beautiful his own outstanding magic in the prestigious
accurately show the time. There was even a handwriting, drew selected objects, and even Palais Royal. His programme included The Aerial
subdued chime on the hour and the half hour. composed poetry. Houdin was awarded a Silver Clock, where a large clear clock dial was seen
(see page145). Medal for this remarkable piece of mechanical suspended on thin cord with a crystal bell
One of these clocks caused something of a wizardry at the Paris Exposition of 1844 as well underneath. On command the single hand
sensation when it was displayed in the window as receiving the personal endorsement of King moved mysteriously to any time requested by a
of silversmiths T Cox Savory in the City of Philippe of France. Best of all The Nightingale spectator, with the bell chiming the correct hour.
London. The Mechanics’ Magazine of November and The Writer sold to wealthy collectors for a This was the kind of unique magic that brought
1838, under the heading Savory’s Magnetic total of seven thousand francs (about £90,000 audiences flocking to Robert-Houdin’s intimate
Timepiece, featured an explanation by one of its in today’s money), and this gave Jean Eugène theatre and quickly branded him the toast of
readers. He suggested a magnet fitted inside the financial springboard he needed to achieve Paris.
the outer ring of the dial pulled the hand round his ambition and perform in his own theatre in Today, one hundred and forty-two years after
as the ring revolved. It was a very plausible the Palais Royal. And even here his mystery his death, as we admire the handsome
supposition but, of course, completely wrong. clocks played a vital part. timepiece on display in The Devant Room, we
There were other theories from readers in Permission to open a theatre in the exclusive can only be left in awe remembering the
later issues of the magazine, with only one Palais Royal area of Paris was never going to be magical virtuoso who became France’s greatest
getting anywhere near the correct working. The easy, and Robert-Houdin was curtly told by the conjuror, the creator of miraculous automata, a
clock was always described as ‘Mr Savory’s Préfect of Police that this had been flatly scientist and inventor
Clock’ with no mention of the true maker’s refused by the minister who controlled these of note, and the maker
name, but Jean Eugène was unlikely to have things. This would have been a serious setback of the most elegant
worried about this as he was more concerned were it not for a friend who reminded Jean series of mystery
with making enough money to pay his Eugène that he’d sold one of his Mysterious clocks: Jean Eugène
outstanding debts. Luckily these handsome Clocks to a Benjamin Delessert who happened Robert-Houdin. l
second series mystery clocks sold well, and to be the brother of the Préfect. Monsieur
although no one knows the exact number Delessert was was so pleased with his purchase
produced by Robert-Houdin and the extra staff that he offered to help Robert-Houdin in a Acknowledgments
he employed, the genuine versions (and there practical way. He was holding a party which his The illustrations of the astronomical clock at
have been many fakes) are now prized antiques. brother, the Préfect, was attending, and he Hampton Court, the Ansonia Swinging Clocks,
Robert-Houdin then devised an even more asked Robert-Houdin to give a magic show for the engraving from the Mechanic’s Magazine,
puzzling third series and here there seemed to the guests. His performance went down so well and the Robert-Houdin fifth series of
be no possible connection between the – especially with the Préfect – that the very square-dialled clocks are from Mystery, Novelty
movement and the single hand since the next day the theatre licence was mysteriously and Fantasy Clocks by Derek Roberts, Schiffer
see-through dial was now supported on a tall granted. A marvellous clock and the right Publ. Ltd, courtesy of the author. I am also most
clear column of glass. And he didn’t stop there. contacts had worked their magic and grateful to Derek Roberts for information on the
The fourth series of mystery clock incorporated Robert-Houdin’s Soirées Fantastiques opened in mechanical modus operandi and other details
two hands that pointed to both hours and the Palais Royal on 3 July 1845. of mystery clocks described in his definitive
minutes – and posed a further enigma. (see The mystery clocks had provided treatise. The photograph of the Robert-Houdin
page 145). Robert-Houdin with much needed cash, mystery clock on display in The Devant Room
The mechanics here were very intricate and enhanced his reputation as a horologist, and was taken by James Godwin.
involved a multitude of tiny delicate parts. One
clockmaker of the time complained that repairs
to this clock ‘caused all manner of misery’, and
referring to the minuscule parts, he bemoaned:
‘one sneeze and they are gone’. Even today’s
finest clock repairers find restoring a
Robert-Houdin fourth series mystery clock a
hefty challenge.
Because Robert-Houdin suspected that some
had discovered the secrets of his earlier clocks,
he went one final stage and introduced the fifth
and sixth series. Instead of round dials, these
very perplexing clocks incorporated square and
arch-shape dials. Here the drive to the hands
was taken up through the centre column to
oscillating glass dials. (see page145).
Having achieved the ultimate in mystery
clocks, Robert-Houdin concentrated on creating
two remarkable automata: the exquisite Singing
Nightingale, the bird that flapped its wings and
jumped from branch to branch whilst its beak
moved in synchronisation with its melodious Robert-Houdin and The Aerial Clock

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 147

 25 February – 18 March

MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2013 explanation until later in the lecture. hand. This was Marcelo now back as Mr Tango
STRESS FREE MAGIC – Next he borrowed a new deck of cards from with the coin work and engineering for which
MR TANGO a member of the audience (only at a magic he is deservedly famous. At this point he
Reported by Hugh Nightingale club!) and, after thorough shuffling, he had no included the explanation for his opener.
trouble finding a chosen card. Dividing the pack His finale he called The Judas Betrayal –
into two he continued with a series of effects although we never learnt why – and, seated at
based, we later learned, on the same principle – a table, coin after coin appeared until his
including apparently memorising the deck, a close-up mat was virtually covered in dollars.
card turning itself over in the pack and calling We had been Tango’d – by the TUC (Tango
out which cards of a suit a spectator held. This Ultimate Coin), used to the extreme, and he
was largely based on a shuffle-spread-shuffle showed us its clever mechanical principle and
effect from Martin Gardner’s book My Best. The application.
final chosen card was ascertained by This was much more than a dealer dem,
mind-reading and Marcelo wrote it down, entertaining and worthwhile.
before the card was revealed, which was a real
boon.
He mentioned his love of, and respect for, The MONDAY 11 MARCH 2013
Magic Circle and one of his heroes, Alan THE MATTHEW WRIGHT LECTURE
Shaxon. He showed us three envelopes tied Reported by Tim Barnes
together with a red ribbon. One, a love letter
Mr Tango
from his wife; one, a drawing from his child; and Magic Circle Close-up Competition winner, IBM
Mr Tango, aka Marcelo Insua, was visiting us the third had the details for his holiday stay winner, second-place in Parlour at FISM, and
on his way home to Argentina from the including a city, hotel name, room number etc. International Magic Champion, Matthew
Blackpool convention. The theatre audience He asked members of the audience to suggest Wright, was our lecturer.
was a little sparse as I imagine many will what these might be and when he opened the Matthew started with a presentation of Final
have overdosed on magic over the weekend. third envelope, which had been on full view the Destination, his signature version of Three Fly
Marcelo entered sporting a dark brown whole time, they matched. It was a well thought with the slow-motion visible floating of the final
bowler hat, and produced coins to music that, out method and I suspect that no amount of coin from one hand to the other. Next was a
as smooth as silk, would vanish from one confabulation amongst a lay audience would torn and restored tissue to wizard’s hat, which
hand to immediately reappear in the other. discover the modus operandi. led into a running gag as the hat repeatedly fell
Finally a jumbo coin appeared and then a Next came a matrix effect, with borrowed ten off his assistant’s head. This was solid material
giant coin materialised in his hat. Seemingly pence coins, which was extremely slick and for any kids’ magician but, when used well and
effortless and ‘stress free’, he left the clean – he even did a version on a spectator’s suited to the performer’s style, as was very

MONDAY 4 MARCH 2013

THE MAGIC CIRCLE CLOSE-UP
MAGICIAN OF THE YEAR 2013
Reported by Geoffrey Shisler

Eight performers competed for this, one of

the most prestigious titles in the world of
magic. In order of appearance they were:
Russell Levinson, Laura London, Billy Reid,
Spencer Wood, Matthew Le Mottée, Will
Gray, Chris Stevenson and Tim Shoesmith.
Russell included an effective Cards
Across which he ended by proving that he
had not really passed three cards from one
Photo: Darren Tossell

packet to another after all! Laura

presented just one effect in which, after
repeated shuffles and cuts, she separated
the pack into their four suits. Billy Billy Reid, Tim Shoesmith and Will Gray

148 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

 CLUB NIGHT EVENTS
Mandy Davis MIMC CONVENOR OF REPORTS
Mark Hesketh-Jennings PHOTOGRAPHER

on his head that steps him into his character’s afterwards but this was far more than a
world. dealer dem because of the tips, wisdom and
A broken and restored red cord followed, bits of business from Matthew’s professional
although it was a little hard to see against the act that were scattered throughout.
red curtains of the Circle stage; then a routine In all it was a very engaging evening from
linking the vanish of a ring from a box, the Cups a real-world worker demonstrating, not only
and Balls and, finally, the ring being recovered his technical skill but his performance and
from within a walnut within an orange within a character insights, as well as his creativity as
bag – a feat achieved using his latest creation, an inventor.
the Nut Dropper.
We were also shown Calzaghi’s Opener, a MONDAY 18 MARCH 2013
Matthew Wright great ‘punch-after-punch’ card routine designed THE ALI BONGO MEMORIAL
to win over those alpha males who can be so LECTURE – JAY SCOTT BERRY
much the case here, this proved an excellent annoying to close-up workers. Then Derren’s Reported by Tim Barnes
gag for adults too. Whisper, a rather over-engineered piece in my
It led into a discussion of character, Matthew view, using some contrived motivation for a This was the third of our annual lectures in
having developed a persona that he referred to secret written on a card and one of the most memory of Past President and magic legend,
as an “autistic Doctor Who.” At times complicated wallets I’ve seen in a long while. Ali Bongo. Paul Daniels, last year’s lecturer,
intellectual, at times a buffoon, part hobbit and This, however, was followed by Mint, was also present to see Jay Scott Berry share
part wizard – this was communicated through a probably the strongest piece of the evening. It his recollections of Ali.
combination of material, dress, word, and a was Matthew’s version of Derren Brown’s Jay opened with fifteen minutes of
range of associated squeaking sounds. excellent Smoke – but oh so much more performance including manipulations of
Marvellous Matthew Wright, as he bills himself, useable – with a merely thought of card coins, silk streamers, sponges and lights. “All
performs wearing a slightly squashed low top appearing within a small mint container. that we see and all that we are were born
hat, and he told us that it is the placing of this Everything demonstrated was on sale from a star”, Jay offered poetically. Whilst
this line was no doubt intended to support
the appearance of spinning lights, it seemed
interspersed a sponge ball routine between his revelations of chosen cards. The top prize far more poignant given the evening’s
card tricks, earning him second place, and went to Tim whose act consisted entirely of subject. There can be few magicians who
Spencer bent a fork and magicked a ring into a cards, ending with his torn and restored card,
s

locked box after which he showed that he’d set to a speech by Puck from A Midsummer
previously printed the name of a thought-of Night’s Dream.
card onto some dollar bills. It seems that, for many performers today,
Matthew was unlucky to be disqualified close-up magic means card magic, and we
having overrun his time in performing did, indeed see some very good acts. In view
Professor’s Nightmare, some very ingenious of the fact that every competitor included
linking rings, including a finger ring, and card in effects with cards, and in some cases
mouth! Will, the third-prize winner, produced a performed only with cards, it would be nice
goldfish from the sleeve of a spectator’s jacket to see a more innovative range of items used
and a pool ball from a deck of cards, concluding in the competition. No prize was awarded
with a signed card in a sealed deck. The only this year for originality.
coins seen in the entire evening came from The MC for the evening was Richard
Chris’s purse frame; after which he performed Pinner, who conducted proceedings with his
with a rope and ring, cut and restored a rope usual good humour.
and, finally, demonstrated some skilful
Jay Scott Berry

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 149

don’t owe some debt to the star that was Ali Bongo. Whether through
performance, invention, or advice and support, Ali’s influence touched so
many.
Jay started by telling us that his own first act was influenced by Ali’s
THE MAGIC CIRCLE
Shriek of Araby creation, or Sheikh, as he referred to it. We were then SHOWCASE

sales
treated to the first ever showing of a twenty minute interview Jay had
conducted with Ali whilst sitting in the Great Hall of Scotland’s Stirling
Castle. The setting was poignant, given its importance in the life of
‘Braveheart’ William Wallace – Ali’s real name.
Interestingly, during the interview Jay also referred to Ali’s character as
the Sheikh, rather than Shriek, but on that occasion Ali himself was on
hand to offer a correction!
As we watched, and listened, we learned of Ali’s own Scottish roots
(his grandfather was from Aberdeen), his birth in India, and the mix of
influences that created the Shriek character; with an outfit that comprised
Rastafarian hair, a Japanese kimono, and Indian turban topped with an
Arabic fez and pom poms that were acquired from a Dr Seuss production!
Ali talked about his early days working with Harry Stanley, then
working in London’s Oxford Street, before moving on to manage the l Magic Circle Umbrella. Navy blue with silver coloured
magic department in the famous Hamley’s toy store. He shared handle and printed silver logo. Automatic opening. £14.95
reminiscences of his seven years as TV magical adviser to David Nixon l Magic Circle Playing Cards. Poker size with black backs
and fourteen years with Paul Daniels. In particular we heard about the
and gold coloured logo. £3.95 each or £6.95 for two.
gruelling schedule which lead to the creation of some one hundred and
forty illusions for Nixon; in each case conceived at a Tuesday production l Magic Circle Key Ring. £1.95
meeting, constructed between Wednesday and Friday, rehearsed at the l Postcards. Four styles depicting posters from The Circle
weekend and then performed the following Monday. Collection, namely Soo, Devant, Le Roy and Hertz.
It was wonderful to see Ali Bongo back on the stage of The Magic
£2.00 for a set.
Circle and we are indebted to Jay Scott Berry for his foresight in making
the film plus his generosity in sharing it with us. Jay also donated a copy l Bob Read’s Magical London Map. £2.95
to our library. l l Inside The Magic Circle. Souvenir booklet. £1.95
l Tie £10.00
l Moleskine pocket ruled notebook with de-bossed
Magic Circle logo, 192 pages £13.50
The Magic Circle Library l Moleskine large plain notebook with de-bossed

MY FAVOURITE BOOKS Magic Circle logo, 240 pages £17.50

MAGIC BOOKS PLUS: BOOKS YOU MEMBERS ONLY

CAN’T READ ON YOUR KINDLE *please state your Degree when ordering
l Button Badge* £3.95
l Deluxe Gilt Button Badge* £5.95

A series of occasional 30-minute talks to be given by individual l Jewel with or without Star* £13.50
members of The Magic Circle about their favourite books on Magic
l Cufflinks* £13.95

The next talk will be given by

MICHAEL PEARSE
These items can be purchased from the Showcase at
The Magic Circle Headquarters on a Club Night or can be
on TUEDAY 7 May
sent by post to your address (P&P extra). Credit cards
at 6.15 pm in the Library
(Visa and Mastercard) and cheques drawn on a UK bank
accepted (cheques payable to “CMA Ltd”).
Library: 020 7387 1533 library@themagiccircle.co.uk

For more information Email

ShowcaseSales@TheMagicCircle.co.uk
or telephone 0207 387 2222

150 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 151
 414. MAGICIANS IN HULL IN THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES
Part 4. RAMO SAMEE, JACOBS, PROFESSOR HENRI, D’AUVIGNEY & SHAW

A fter his first appearance in 1818, Ramo Samee returned to Hull for
a short season in December 1838 for what is undoubtedly the
best-known of his appearances in the town on account of him being on
Summer Tour through the North of England in 1845. Initially a one-night
engagement at the Theatre Royal on Monday 7 July was advertised but
his success and itinerary enabled him to give one more performance on
the same bill at the Theatre Royal as a performance of Charles Friday 11 July. He was advertised as “The Great Original Wizard
Dickens’s Nicholas Nickleby. The belief that Dickens himself was present Ventriloquist, Improvisatori [sic] and Professor of Natural Philosophy, Mr.
on this occasion on 28 December (Grove, 1921; Findlay, 1962) has Jacobs from the Strand Theatre, London,” and referred to in the news as
been refuted by Trevor Dawson (2012) who drew upon Slater’s (2009) “The Kentish Wizard”. The advertisement noted “As this is his First
biography of the novelist to demonstrate that Dickens was in London at Appearance in Hull, it may be necessary to state that his Performances
the relevant time. Later, for the final night of the engagement on Friday, are entirely different to anything of the sort introduced by other
4 January, it was announced in the Hull Packet there would be “A Professors. His style is peculiarly his own; his Apparatus on a Secret and
Variety of Entertainments for the Benefit of Ramo Samee.” Novel principle, and the Feats in Natural Philosophy and Modern Magic
Three years later Ramo Samee was back in August 1841 to must be witnessed to be accredited.” An elaborate playbill announced
participate in one of the popular Galas that were held in the new “Mr. Jacobs will arrive in Hull from Beverley at 12 o’clock on the day of
Zoological Gardens in Spring Bank, which had opened on 5 October Performance (i.e. 7 July), accompanied by a Band of Music.”
1840. It was reported that he followed a procession led by an elephant The advertisement for the Friday show disclosed that he would perform
and llamas and exhibited his “feats of diablerie”. He became an annual at Driffield on Monday, 14 July, Burlington (Bridlington) on Tuesday, and
favourite for these Galas, which always closed with a splendid Scarborough on Wednesday and Friday. The Hull Packet reported on 18
Fireworks Display, returning to the Zoological Gardens in 1842 and July that Mr. Jacobs gave an evening’s entertainment at the Assembly
1843 to feature in the entertainments provided. -rooms in Driffield, the room was crowded, and the entertainment was
Ramo Samee was also a great favourite elsewhere and appeared “certainly superior, and of a more intellectual character than any
regularly at Vauxhall Gardens. He is well known too on account of previously given in the place,” concluding that “Mr Jacobs is certainly a
being featured in the 1822 print of the famous Looking Glass Curtain clever conjuror and his performances are very amusing.”
at the Royal Cobourg Theatre. However, later in the 1840s he fell upon The advertisement for Jacobs’s second evening in Hull announced “The
hard times, and died in August 1850, his widow having to make a nature of Mr. JACOB’S [sic] Feats is only known to those who visit his
public appeal for funds for his funeral. Place of Amusement; there is no exaggeration necessary, no puffing
The career of Canterbury born Joseph Jacobs (1813-1870) as a required, to give publicity to the incomprehensible wonders of the
conjurer and ventriloquist had begun about 1834 and for the next modern FAUSTUS; all who witness them are spellbound within the Mystic
twenty years he performed around Britain before touring America, Circle; they make them the source of conversation day after day. From the
Australia and New Zealand, becoming a great favourite in the commencement to the conclusion, the audience are in raptures; in short,
Antipodes where he made three tours between 1855 and 1866 those who miss this opportunity lose a treat indeed. His Ventriloquism is
(Dawes, 1975a). Somewhat surprisingly, Wizard Jacobs seems to have also exceedingly amusing, and the extemporaneous Song, on any subject
made only one visit to Hull and that occurred when he undertook a proposed by the Audience, is a very novel and pleasing production.”

Mr. Shaw, Hull, 1845

152 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

 A RICH CABINET OF
MAGICAL CURIOSITIES
Edwin A Dawes MIMC

“Paul Pry the Younger” was the byline concealing the identity of a inhabitants of Hull. The manager is
mid-nineteenth century reviewer of popular entertainment in letters certainly not to blame, for a more dull,
addressed to “My Dear Dad” which appeared in the London Gazette. In slow, race of people as the Hullites, I
the issue of 11 July 1859 he provided this very critical, yet amusing view have rarely seen, and I question whether
of the entertainment he suffered at the Neptune Concert Hall in the a really first rate entertainment would
public house of that name located in Paragon Street, Hull. pay.”
“MY DEAR DAD, – I have had some rare sport here within the last few It seems superfluous to say the serious
days. A few nights ago I went to the Neptune Concert Hall, and send you musically-inclined populace of Hull would
the following particulars, with a sketch for your artist. The Neptune is a be very unlikely to be found seeking
large public house, situated in Paragon Street, near the North-Eastern solace in the Neptune Concert Hall!
Railway Station. The proprietor, Mr Roberts, is a little good-tempered Searches for additional information on
fellow, and if he would but sell better spirits and liquors in his the target of Paul Pry’s satire yielded the
concert-room, would be perfect. Upon paying threepence for a possible name of Harry (Henri) Herrman
refreshment ticket, I ascended the stairs, when I was suddenly astonished (Hermann and Herrmann were variants
by being seized hold of by the coat-tail, and, upon looking behind me, in different advertisements), who was at
beheld a tall Irish-German waiter who shouted in my ears “Is it a glass of the New Adelphi Theatre, Liverpool, in
ale you want, sir?” Wishing him in the infernal regions, I was fortunate March 1864 where he was billed as “The
enough to escape, and entered the room.” great World-renowned German Monarch
“The company (who filled it) were composed of sailors, mechanics, and of Wizards” with “his celebrated
a few fast ‘counter jumpers’, who appeared to be on the most familiar performance of One Hour in the World of
terms with the professionals (?) engaged, and between whom considerable Wonders.” If this was indeed the former
‘chaffing’ was going on at intervals during the performance.” Lilliputian Magician (and this is far from
“A Mr Jaggers (a follower of St Crispin, got up with a turned down certain) then it would seem he had taken
collar, a la Byron, and dirty, brown silk vest) attempted several songs in to heart Paul Pry’s advice and had
the course of the evening. This gentleman (called by several of his friends greatly improved his performance – as Ramo Samee, Hull Zoological
‘the Egyptian Mummy’) has a very strange way of holding his arms well as changing his nationality! An Gardens, 1843
straight down by his sides, which gives him a more ridiculous appearance advertisement in the Liverpool Daily Post on 12 March offered “Some
than he usually presents.” Opinions of the Press” of which the following laudatory review from the
“A Mr Stumfield (a young ‘son of Neptune’) sang several songs in a Birmingham Daily Post (24 November 1863) provides details of his show:
very pleasing, but at the same time very unmusical manner. This young “Herr Henri Hermann was working wonders at the Gallery of
gentleman is gifted with a fair voice, which might be much improved by Illustration last night. As the days of ornately furnished stages and
more practice.” elaborate apparatus are over, Herr Hermann shows only two plain
“From the room being filled with friends, all their songs were encored. chairs, two small papier maché tables, and a plain table at the back of
We are given to understand that these gentlemen receive the munificent his small bare stage. Even with this small apparatus he performs feats
sum of ten shillings weekly for their professional services.” which seem inexplicable, and in many respects surpasses Phillipe,
“The ‘great gun’ of the establishment is a ‘Professor Henri,’ who comes Robin, Houdin, and Frikell too. His first trick was the exhibition of a
from Sheffield. He styles himself the ‘Original Lilliputian Magician,’ but clear glass decanter, containing water, from which he not only
whether it is from the smallness of his person, or littleness, or rather want produced sherry, port, champagne, but even ink and milk on demand,
of cleverness and dexterity I cannot say. He executed several tricks, all by and some of the glasses were handed round and filled by visitors
aid of machinery, some fairly, others in a slovenly manner. This young without the conjurors assistance. A “spirit-rapping drum” put to shame
gentleman has plenty of room for improvement, and I advise him to do so all the Home like mysteries, and was the most puzzling feat we have
as quickly as possible.” ever seen performed. Many of the old familiar tricks were performed in
“These three gentlemen formed the whole of the ‘staff’ on the evening a new way, and in such neat-handedness and skill as to secure such
on which I visited the hall. I heard that a female singer is engaged but, applause from a large and rather noisy house. The best and cleverest
that she, having something better to attend to outside, failed to put in an trick was the great “bowl of water and gold fish” trick. Frikell and
appearance here….” others have produced two or three glass bowls full of water, but Herr
“This is the only musical entertainment offered to the musical (?) Herman succeeded in producing six, with the most perfect success and
s

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 153

 without any assistance even VEGETABLES. Insurance no longer necessary. FIRE, by a touch of his
from the scanty apparatus on Mystic Wand is extinguished, and becomes POWERLESS; and inanimate
the stage. The inexhaustible WATER, by his powerful influence, instantly changes in the presence of his
hat, and droll expanding figure Astonished Audiences, to QUADRUPEDS and other LIVING ANIMALS.”
called Lord Dromedary, “TELEGRAPHS and AERIAL MACHINES, of no use for speed and
concluded a very clever series distance. The word pronounced by the Royal Magician – GO; and Articles
of performances which were disappear and are instantly found in any part of the Globe: in short, the
greeted with loud applause.” most vivid imagination is completely bewildered, and can account for the
Herr Henri Herrmann, “The apparent impossibilities performed only by calling to its aid the idea of
Great German Prestidigitateur, SUPERNATURAL AGENCY.”
the Original German Magician, “Mr. SHAW will exhibit, among other FEATS of MAGICAL DELUSION,
in his Mystic Legerdemain. Four of the most ASTOUNDING TRICKS ever witnessed by the human eye,
Gentlemanly and talented” – the Celebrated LOAF TRICK, MAGIC FRUIT, HOT WATER TRICK, and the
appeared at the Alhambra DANCING and SPEAKING MONEY, which indeed defy the utmost stretch
Palace and Theatre of Varieties of ingenuity in any other Professor of the Cabalistic Art to Perform.
in Porter Street, Hull in Appropriate Music will accompany each subject.”
September 1876, but no review Thus, if taken at its face value, it would seem that Shaw had been
of his show has been located. performing since around 1825, yet evidence for this claim, so far, is lacking.
He also worked for three nights The Leeds engagement extended for a further week; another
at Day’s Concert Hall in inordinately long advertisement advising the “Final Close” appeared in
Birmingham in March 1878. the Leeds Times on 25 November and listed many additional items from
The year 1845 witnessed the Shaw’s repertoire of which the following is a sample: The Dissolving Ball
arrival in Hull of Mons. (Magic Method of Printing without the use of Ink or Press); Sympathetic
D’Auvigney, whose name is absent from all the standard histories of Balls and Mystic Egg; the Enchanted Handkerchief; the Lost Wedding ring
conjuring. He was a presenter of automaton figures and magic in his Discovered; the Dead Bird Restored to Life and Wonderful Performing
Theatre du Petit Lazary and Temple of Magic, and in a previous article Canaries; Cut Handkerchief and Flying Coins; Celebrated Loaf Trick in
(Dawes, 1975b) we observed that the popularity of his shows at the which articles borrowed from the Spectators may be found in any Loaf
Victoria Rooms, was sufficient to ensure they extended eventually to eight procured from any Baker’s Shop in the Town.
consecutive weeks from 8 April until 1 June. There was, however, D’Auvigney’s automata included the Automaton of the Tight Rope, the
something of a puzzle surrounding the presentation of the magic content Humorous Scene of Harlequin Eating and Drinking, and Les Trois
of the programmes. For the initial four weeks of the engagement the bills Mandarins, or Chinese Dance, while his French Marionettes embraced
clearly refer to “D’Auvigney’s Magic” and “D’Auvigney’s Philosophical Mechanical Transformations, Ballet Dances and Allegories. It was later
Recreations” and there is no other name on the bills, whereas for the stated that in the course of their eleven nights in Leeds they were
final month we have “the Unequalled Performances of the Royal patronized by “upwards of 14,000 spectators.”
Magician”, again without any specific name other than D’Auvigney’s. In When D’Auvigney & Shaw were at the Oddfellows Hall in Bradford for
the absence of any information about D’Auvigney at that time, I speculated the week of 1 July 1844 their advertisement in the Bradford Observer
whether it might even be a nom de théâtre of Mr Shaw, a minor magician disclosed that they had arrived after a six weeks’ stay in Halifax, and
who adopted the title of the “Royal Magician”. claimed that in April of that year at Manchester some 39,000 people had
Since that original article was written further research has shown my seen their show during twenty-four nights. A review of Shaw’s show in
speculation to be groundless, D’Auvigney and Shaw were separate the same paper on 11 July referred to him as “an urbane and courteous
individuals who were in partnership prior to the Hull engagement in personage; his proceedings appear so fair and above board, and his
1845, the earliest sighting to date being in 1843 at Leeds in a detailed manner is so frank and open, that the wonders he does before your eyes,
advertisement in the Leeds Times on 18 November. The advertisement astonish you by their seeming reality.”
was for the Last Week of the Leeds Public Exhibition for the Benefit of the As there was no mention of it in prior advertisements and reviews, it
House of Recovery and Public Dispensary and the description of Shaw’s seems possible it was early in 1845 when Shaw first introduced the
powers appears to bid fair to outdo the Great Wizard of the North exposure of at least some of the tricks he performed after first presenting
himself. We read: them. The earliest example of this yet found is contained in the bill for the
“Mr. SHAW, the ROYAL MAGICIAN (whose powers have so much Mechanics’ Institute at Hull in June of that year, where it states “Mr.
astonished the Public, and whom all classes of society have delighted to Shaw, professor of Philosophical Recreations, will expose the DELUSIONS
applaud; his unrivalled Feats having been the theme of conversation and OF MAGIC.” Admittedly those listed relate to ancient examples but it
praise by all who have witnessed them), will Display his astonishing becomes clear that Shaw was in the process of building up the lecture
DELUSIONS, MYSTIC WONDERS, ENCHANTMENTS, MYSTERIES, ORACLES, which later formed a major feature of his engagements. l
DIVINATIONS, COMBINATIONS, TRANSFORMATIONS, FEATS of
DEXTERITY, and CABALISTIC SURPRISES. His knowledge of, and (To be continued)
experience in, Ancient NECROMANCY and MODERN MAGIC, for upwards
of Twenty Years, give him a superiority over all the would-be Wizards,
Conjurers, Magicians, and Necromancers of the present day. Their feats REFERENCES
sink into insignificance when compared with the DELUSIONS produced by Dawes, E.A. (1975a). Magic Circular 69, 3-5; (1975b) 69, 103-105.
the ROYAL MAGICIAN’S WAND. He appears to hold in complete Dawson, T. (2012). Charles Dickens: Conjurer, Mesmerist and Showman.
subjection the FOUR ELEMENTS, AIR, EARTH, FIRE and WATER. He Findlay, J.B. (1962). Charles Dickens and His Magic. Shanklin
mystifies the Air, so as to completely deceive the eyes of his audience – Grove, J.S.P. (1921). The Dickensian 17, 211-214.
EARTH, under his command, instantly PRODUCES FRUITS, FLOWERS, and Slater, M. (2009). Charles Dickens. Yale University Press.

154 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

 REVIEWS make thirty. The spectator turns over their
freely selected card, and yes you’ve guessed
it, they have selected the number thirty.
You go on to see what would have
happened if they picked one of the other
piles. Amazingly, each packet adds up to
Will Houstoun MIMC thirty. This is just the start, however, as you
Darren Tossell MIMC go into the standard magic square routine by
Ian Keable MIMC creating a grid of cards and showing that all
the corners, diagonals, horizontal and vertical
rows add up to thirty. That, of course, is
usually the show stopper.
THE STRIPPER JIG not cutting as well as it might you can simply However, here comes the kicker: After
by Eoin O’Hare replace it with another cheap, readily available, going through the spectators remaining cards
Laser cut steel and brass jig with printed razor blade. The final reason is the versatility of to show that they are all different, you tell
instructions and protective case. a459 the jig. It has been designed to work with both them that you wrote a message on the backs
(£387) with free p&p from bridge and poker cards on both the long and of the cards that form the magic square.
www.theperfectshuffle.com short edges and, by my reckoning, can produce Turning over the grid, it reveals “I think you
Reviewed by Will Houstoun regular strippers, belly strippers, in strippers, will select the number thirty!”
short cards and narrow cards as well as
The Stripper Jig is a rather unusual item, countless variations of the above.
manufactured by Irish magician Eoin O’Hare. At nearly £400 The Stripper Jig is not
It is a beautifully designed, laser cut jig that something to buy to satisfy curiosity, if you
will allow you to make your own stripped and don’t know about the various types of stripper
otherwise miss-shapen cards. mentioned above then it is probably not for you.
The jig itself is a lovely object, It is, however, cheaper than other stripper
manufactured from stainless steel and brass, cutting devices as well as more versatile. If you
that comes in a specially made protective box want to be able to make a variety of different
with a set of printed instructions. To set the stripped cards then it is well worth visiting
jig up to cut a particular style of card you Eoin’s website to see the jig in action and
simply need to set the adjustable stops perhaps to make an investment.
according to Eoin’s instructions. You can then
inserts cards into the jig, one by one, and use THE GRID
a single edged razor to make the cuts. The by Richard Wiseman
set-up will take a little bit of time to become Gimmicked Deck and Instructional DVD. $35
comfortable with but, once you have (£23) plus p&p from your favourite dealer.
understood the process, it is remarkably easy Dealers contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies,
to produce a really well cut card. www.MurphysMagic.com.
Why might you choose The Stripper Jig Reviewed by Darren Tossell What makes this so good is that it is
over another card trimming machine? As far cunningly simple to do. It’s completely
as I can see there are three main reasons. The I love the magic square effect. Having seen self-working providing you can cut a deck of
first is that the jig is reasonably small and some great versions performed by Arthur cards. If you can’t, it’s unlikely you’ll be
light: in its box it could be easily and safely Benjamin, Paul Daniels, John Archer and my reading this magazine! There are no
kept in your bag for any occasion you want to absolute favourite, Graham Jolley, it’s difficult to calculations to be done. In fact, it’s so clever
make particular type of card. The second is see how Richard Wiseman, who also does a you’ll find yourself playing with it over and
that Eoin’s clever design means that you will great stage version, is going to improve or add over again, making sure, no matter what
never need to worry about getting the cutting anything to it. number comes up, that it works, then smiling
blade sharpened – as soon as you feel it is The routine is simple. You show a deck of to yourself as your apparent mathematical
cards that have large numbers printed on them genius is revealed.
and hand the spectator a packet from the deck. The effect comes with a short and simple
He or she shuffles, spreads the deck facedown, DVD explaining everything you need to know
and freely selects any one of the cards, keeping and some alternate routining. There’s some
the selection hidden from the magician. interesting history, crediting Luis De Matos
With the remainder of the deck, the magician and Vanessa Viana for assisting with the final
counts out four packets of four cards, face up. version a well as the deck of Bicycle cards
Your spectator picks any one of the packets to which do require a one off, simple
see how closely the four cards’ total matches preparation process.
their yet to be revealed selection. They add up A slightly fiddly reset, which no doubt
the four cards, which for the sake of this review speeds up the more you perform the effect, is
s

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 155

my only very slight complaint about a masterful from professional magic, so you can probably
piece of magic from the ingenious mind of guess their act never hit the big-time; and the
Professor Richard Wiseman. Highly couple (because we hear from Claudine too)
recommended. write about the difficult life of trying to earn a
full-time living from magic, interjected with a
FRANKLY DISILLUSIONED: A sprinkling of absolute horror stories.
TRUE SAGA OF MYSTERY, However, as a reader, you do tend to lose
MAGIC & MAYHEM sympathy with Dean: he is very bitter about
By Dean Metcalfe show business and some magicians; he doesn’t
Kindle eBook, 171 pages. £2.99 from the seem to have much respect for many of his
Kindle Store or at audiences; and is so staggeringly naive about
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00AHF5LMK. the bookings he takes that you aren’t surprised
Reviewed by Ian Keable when he walks into disastrous venues and
performing nightmares.
I guess many of us have secretly wanted to This is certainly not a literate book, as typos
write an autobiography which would appeal to such as “Meiser’s Dream” and the German
both magicians and non-magicians; so all credit illusionist “Hans Merete” might indicate; but it
to Dean Metcalfe for making the attempt. is told with passion and refreshingly, some
Dean was joint winner of The Magic Circle might say fool-hardily, honest. At the end,
Young Magician of the Year in 1977. But his however, what emerges is rather touching: in
breakthrough came when he met Claudine on a a reasonable living working together as Carl that ultimately it’s the story of a couple who
summer season in Jersey in 1984. She injected Dean and Claudine, before metamorphosing have remained resolutely in love, whilst clearly,
glamour, and a number of revealing low-cut into the Deans of Magic. and now very publicly, falling out of love with
dresses, into their act; and they began to make It should be said that they have now retired their chosen career. l

THE MAGIC
The Magic Circle has suffered some sad losses in the past few weeks. CIRCLE CARES
Most Members will have learned of the death of Sam Gupta MIMC,
The Magic Circle’s Treasurer from 1987 till 1991 and a regular close-up
David Hatch MMC
performer at Meet The Magic Circle evenings for many years. David
Ball MIMC, former Member of Council and a massive contributor to the
life of The Circle in so many ways, died after a long illness bravely The Circle received news in March that Robert Martin AIMC, normally
borne. Our thoughts go out to his wife Joy and the family. It is also with living in Germany, was in a coma, but no further details were provided.
great sadness that I report the passing of Hans Moretti MIMC,
Honorary Member Professional of The Magic Circle, at the age of Just a thought: “Kindness is the language the blind can see and the
eighty-five. Hans was a superb showman who performed several times deaf can hear.”
on the Paul Daniels show. The fourth death is of Dr. George Oetting
AIMC, a retired Lieutenant in the US Air Force who leaves a wife Contact Addresses:
Patricia, three children and eight grandchildren. Our thoughts are with (see website for Members’ details)
the families of all these Members.
If you hear of Members or their families who are sick or facing hard
Several Members are recovering from surgery, including Jean Purdy times please contact:
MMC who has had a hip replacement, Les Gerard AIMC who has had a
second knee replaced and Roger Withrington MMC who has finally David Hatch MMC (Welfare Officer)
had his gall bladder surgery. Angeline Mystique MMC has also 6 Darnley Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 9HU
undergone the surgeon’s knife recently and it is good to see her smiling T 020 8504 4134
face again on Monday evenings. E WelfareOfficer@TheMagicCircle.co.uk

Brian Miller informs me that Leslie Randall MMC, who moved to Chaplaincy:
Spain eleven years ago, is now in a care home after falling and Revd Peter Liddelow AIMC
breaking his hip and at eighty-six years of age, and is unlikely to be 23 Kings Road, Barnet, Herts, EN5 4EF
able to return to his apartment. Cards or letters of encouragement to T 020 8441 2968
show that Members are thinking of him would certainly cheer him up. E Chaplain@TheMagicCircle.co.uk
Rabbi Geoffrey Shisler MMC
Steve Evans MMC, who gave such a memorable performance as one 10 St Petersburgh Place, Bayswater, London W2 4LB
of Mandy Davis’s lecturettes has started on a course of chemotherapy T 020 7229 6215
which will continue until May. E Geoffreyshisler@TheMagicCircle.co.uk

156 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

 OBITUARIES Having an interest in languages, he regularly attended a multilingual
café where he met Carmen, who was en-route from Spain to America,
a journey she never completed when they married, a union that was to
last fifty-five years. Sam also enjoyed playing and watching cricket, a
life-long passion he shared with his son Robin.
Sam started in magic in his mid teens learning classic card and coin
sleights from friends, particularly one-time Magic Circle Member
Hans Moretti MIMC Honorary Member Professional Biswanath Mukherjee, and from the famous P C Sorcar. His first stage
24 July 1928 – 13 March 2013 performance was at his college where, as ‘Prince’ Samir, he performed
by Brian Sibley MIMC and Matthew Field MIMC in front of an audience of one thousand!
Sam first appeared on The Magic Circle Stage in 1960 in a ‘New
Born in Poland (a portion Hands’ show put on by Antony Crabbe and this led to him performing
now part of Ukraine), regularly, not only at The Circle but at the Vampire Club, the London
Hans Moretti, the stage Society of Magicians, the Order of Wizardry and the Merlin; he was still
name of Johannes Cewe, a regular at the latter until his passing. Sam appeared in full costume
moved to West Germany at the Scala Show in 1966 and performed regularly at Circle concerts,
in 1940 and trained in both on stage and close-up, and was also a feature close-up performer
circus. He was one of the at the At Homes and their successor, Meet The Magic Circles. Over the
most compelling years he was proud to have performed for Princess Alexandra, Lord
performers and colourful Louis Mountbatten and the Prince of Wales and, on one memorable
characters in magic during occasion, Dai Vernon who commented favourably on Sam’s own
a career that spanned fifty Tri-coin change effect. On stage, as Prince Samir from the Peacock
years, treating the world Palace, Potters Bar, his blindfold x-ray eyes routine stood out and in
to astonishing illusions close-up he regularly performed the endless chain and amused with his
and staggering, “red cord on my right, yellow cord on my left” – always with a relaxed
death-defying escapes. manner and quiet humour. He also took part in the, usually riotous,
With his late wife, Monday night ‘Eastern Magic’ events along with Chittu Das, Eric
Helga, the Morettis Widger, Dara Kaka, Ed Ward and Alan Snowdon. Sam’s magic took him
enthralled audiences from to lots of places and he made several television performances,
circus tent to television including a well know period detective series in which he appeared as
studio, returning many an Indian illusionist pivotal to the plot.
times to the Paul Daniels Show. They won first prize for Grand Illusions Sam was a tireless worker in the background too, he was a reporter
at FISM in 1976 with their Sword Box routine and at the FISM Brussels for The Circular and was part of both the front of house and backstage
XIV World Championship in 1979 Hans won the Mentalism prize with staff. Of course, his accountancy skills were called upon too! As
his Russian Roulette act. He was awarded the Magic Castle Academy of showcase sales manager, then deputy Treasurer and, (handing over the
Magical Arts Performing Fellowship in 1984. showcase to me), as Treasurer, he served The Circle well and was also a
Other routines which made him a world-class star were his blindfold member of the Council for many years. Sam was also auction sales
crossbow act with Helga as the target, his Paper Tree Levitation, and manager and along with the team of Alan Snowden, John Fells, Chittu
impossible escapes. His unforgettable Sword Box had Hans entering an Das, Les Nottle, myself
ordinary-looking large cardboard carton which Helga and an audience and others would spend
member impaled with swords, after which Moretti emerged not only several hours at Chenies
unharmed, but now dressed as a clown with full makeup, carrying two Mews on a Friday night
full-sized chickens! organising the lots for the
He is survived by two sons, Hans Pantar and Peter Moretti. next day, the evening
Larger than life, Hans Moretti was a supreme showman whose culminating in a superb
performances mixed high octane energy and edge-of the-seat danger – selection of home-cooked
with a splash of glitz and a dash of tension-relieving humour – to curries courtesy of Sam
create routines that were not so much memorable, as unforgettable! and Chittu.
Sam was immensely
Samir Gupta MIMC 1931 – 2013 proud of his family, his
by Alan Maskell MIMC wife Carmen and son
Robin, (now a highly
Samir (Sam) Kumar Gupta MIMC was born in 1931 close to Calcutta, regarded consultant
(Kolkata), India. It appears that when Sam was born records were surgeon), and I’m sure the
Photo: TMC Archive

either not kept or were lost as no-one was ever sure of his exact date thoughts of all Magic
of birth, even to the year! Sam gained a BSc in pure physics in 1951 Circle Members who knew
before coming to England in 1953 to study chartered accountancy and Sam will be with them. I,
eventually become a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. for one, will miss him. l

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 157

 MINUTES

Thursday 7 March 2013

carried out on our building to check
if any damage occurs as a result of
these building works. AC said we
should consider any building works
to coincide with the existing
disruption. JF suggested we could
utilise Student Accomodation
during summer months for magic
MINUTES OF THE MAGIC 4. Matters Arising students.
CIRCLE COUNCIL MEETING Two magicians falsely claiming TMC JD said CMA need a business
HELD AT THE membership had removed these plan for future year. SP said there
HEADQUARTERS 6.32pm claims from their websites. StP will was a draft plan, but it needs to be
refer others to Trading Standards. flexible to change. £32,000 had
Present been quoted to replace the air
Brian SIBLEY (Chair) 5. Secretary’s report conditioning system (this should
Jack DELVIN i New Members – (See attached not disrupt the use of TMC
Steve PRICE (Hon Secretary) (StP) schedule) building). BS asked if we should
Stephen KENNARD ii Reinstatements. Robert Jones, consider a major project, which
(Hon Treasurer) Mark Setteducati would require fundraising. AC said
David WEEKS (minutes Secretary) iii Resignations. None that if there were to be fund
Andrew EBORN (Hon Lawyer) iv Promotions (See attached raising, it should (a) be to achieve a
(arr 6.35pm) schedule) major new step for The Magic Circle
Keith PAIN v Correspondence: and not to cover running costs
Alexander CRAWFORD Arthur MacTier suggested which should be covered by subs
(arr 6.40pm) introducing small ads into The etc and (b) be in respect of a
Fay PRESTO Magic Circular. Council declined serious amount (e.g. £1m+), This
Will HOUSTOUN the idea – principally due to the would need a credible person
Sebastian HUNT lead time (the deadline for The full-time to drive such a task, and
Alan MASKELL (dep 10.10pm) Magic Circular is 6 weeks before we should expect a timetable for
Richard PINNER it is sent). fundraising of say 2 years. Other
Katherine RHODES (arr 6.50pm) An e-mail had been received suggestions were made, including a
Matthew GARRETT regarding website domains. SH and joint CMA and TMC meeting to
James FREEDMAN the website team will investigate. work together for long-term plans.
Scott PENROSE (SP)
6. Building update 7. Finance report
1. Apologies BS, StK, Darren Tossell and Terry Last year TMC made a £7000
Mandy DAVIS, Kevin DOIG Wright met with a representative profit. This year will be lower. StK
from the Wellcome Trust who rent suggested talking to Marvin’s
2. Deaths out the property opposite 12 Magic to extend the license for
Maureen Christopher (widow of Stephenson Way. It is due to another year. Council considered
Milbourne Christopher). Members become Student Accomodation in making a donation to charity
of Council stood in silence as a Sept 2014. The Wellcome Trust had consistent with the objects of the
mark of respect. followed the planning application society. Currently TMC is not
meticulously. They were making any such donation this year.
3. Minutes sympathetic as they experienced FP said TMC should reserve the
On a proposal by KP, seconded by vibrations from the drilling in TMC right to produce its own magic sets.
AM, the minutes of the meeting library. They offered to work closely RP said Marvin’s Magic were
held on 6th February were approved with us, giving special consideration particularly helpful over our busy
with amendment. Those who did during actual bookings. Our 15th Christmas period.
not attend the last meeting Anniversary of the building was JF suggested making a donation
abstained. mentioned. A survey has been to the Benevolent Fund an opt out

158 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

process rather than opt in. StP members watching and voting
would find this irritating. BS said online for the finalists.
we could change wording to make KP said Dealers Day was booking
clear why the Benevolent Fund is well.
worth supporting. SH said he is developing TMC
website in a separate area.
8. Reports FP said no suggestions were in
A Marketing, Branding and Publicity the suggestion box.
report was submitted. AM reported the YMotY
Friends – CMA had set the goal competition final is on 7th April.
of reaching 100 paid members by SP said SMotY tickets were on
the end of March 2014. sale, the eight finalists had been
“Apprentices” were suggested by announced.
MG – similar to previous Alan Shaxon’s act is being
“Associates” of The Magic Circle. donated to TMC museum, along
We would train for membership, no with John Max’s estate of magic.
Proposer or Seconder would be Museum beetle has been found in a
required. The costs would be the Vent figure and will be treated by a
Our Headquarters Conventions
same as for full membership. A two specialist. DRESS CODE
year time limit in which to take Smart attire is required at all events in the Headquarters.
TMC exam would be enforced. A 9. Any Other Business MOBILE PHONES
rule change would be needed to Online voting – a trial is due to Please ensure that you switch off your mobile phone before
proceed. take place. SH said IT team are entering the Headquarters. If you must make a phone call, please
Some Council members were working on it. do so outside the building.
unsure about the name. AC said A member has asked about using PHOTOGRAPHY AND SOUND RECORDING
The use of any form of recording equipment, audio or visual,
there are good magicians who find DVD of his lecture for promotion.
including cameras and mobile phones, is not permitted in any part
the examination daunting. AM said Council agreed subject to payment. of the Headquarters except by special arrangement.
it would make the examination less Ali Bongo Shows – RP said this is GUM
intimidating. StP said there are not and should not be a public Please refrain from chewing gum of any sort in the Headquarters.
benefits to being intimidating. FP show. It is not the face of TMC. As a SMOKING
said it would help those who members club night event it is fine. Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the Headquarters.
narrowly miss out on TMC Council decided to continue the We all benefit from these conventions, so please respect and
membership. RP said those who fail policy for Saturday Shows to be for abide by them to avoid being turned away. Thank you for your
TMC exam could remain YMC members, TMC members and understanding.
“apprentices”. StK asked the reason their guests.
why “Associates” were abolished.
SP said “apprentices” would only Meeting ended 10.28pm
benefit those who could attend on Date and time of next
a Monday night. JD said “Associates” meeting:
never harmed TMC, instead helped Wednesday 3 April 2013
people develop acts and join. BS at 6.30pm TMC HQ
said we need to return to this.
RP said 16 members had entered New members
TMC close-up competition. 8 on 7 March 2013
Finalists were chosen by video
entry. The Winner was Tim
Shoesmith MIMC with Billy Reid
MMC in 2nd and Will Gray AIMC
taking 3rd. He was disappointed it Promotions
was not live streamed. Next year on 7 March 2013
heats may be held with TMC

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MAY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 159

 FORTHCOMING May Monday 13
ALTERNATE STREAMS OF REVENUE – A LECTURE BY US

CLUB EVENTS MAGICIAN SCOTT WELLS AIMC

In the midst of global economic woes, entertainment budgets have
taken a hit in both the personal and corporate worlds with fewer
opportunities for well paying jobs for magicians at banquets and
parties. This lecture is structured for the “thinking” and “business
May 2013 minded” magician who would like to find other opportunities to
perform and make money outside normal venues. By keeping your
focus on what you do best but deepening your reach into
non-traditional markets, you will find rewards and enrichment.
Alternate avenues will be suggested along with tricks and tips revealed
relating to those new prospects.

T he Headquarters are open on Club Nights from 3:00pm until

10:30pm. Unless otherwise stated, events start promptly at 7:30pm
and are scheduled to finish between 8:45pm and 9pm.
May Monday 20
ROOM 101 – ROY MARSH MIMC
Club Nights are principally for Members, so entry is by Membership Find out what magical people, props, patter and paraphernalia Roy
Card. A bona fide magician guest may attend any evening that is not Marsh’s guests would consign to the darkest recess of Room 101!
marked ‘Members Only’ on condition that he or she is able to show
membership of a magical society. A non-magician guest may only May Tuesday 28
attend evenings that are marked as ‘Show’. Guests may only attend THE HOFFMANN MEMORIAL LECTURE – DAVID FUNG MMC
two evenings a year. No guest may attend unless the CMA is told As the winner of the 2012 Hoffmann memorial lecture David will
in advance, so if you wish to bring a guest please phone present his discussion on the question: “The bare bones of any magic
(020) 7387 2222. There is a limit of ten guests per night. All trick is the secret; but the thing that makes a truly magical atmosphere
guests must pay a £15 entry fee at the door and respect our is the presentation. What is the relationship between a trick and its
Conventions. Indeed, it is your duty as their sponsor to ensure that they presentation and how can the presentation be used to affect the
do. The Magic Circle reserve the right to refuse entry. See our website for overall performance of a trick?”
all the latest event details and to subscribe to a
weekly email reminder of upcoming events. Looking Ahead to June

May Tuesday 7 June Monday 3

NOT HOW, WHY? – STEVE PRICE MIMC Alan Shaxon Tribute Night – organised by Scott Penrose
Magic Circle Secretary Steve Price shares some of his Comedy Cabaret MIMC
Classics with us. Effects will include: Omelette Roulette – a safe and
hilarious version of Russian Roulette, using eggs! The Bread Trick – a June Monday 10
card trick goes horribly wrong so the magician improvises... Magicians’ Dragons’ Den

The focus of the lecture isn’t so much on the methods used but on the
entertainment value. Steve will discuss conditioning, applause cues and Change of address? Please login to your account at
www.themagiccircle.co.uk. Under “Quick links”, click on “Profile”.
card revelations – which makes the lecture relevant to all magical At the top, under “Edit” you should be able to select “update your
performers. Steve has taken this lecture to dozens of magic clubs profile”. You can contact webmaster@themagiccircle.co.uk if you
around the country and received rave reviews. encounter any problems.
Member in need? Contact Welfare Officer David Hatch,
WelfareOfficer@TheMagicCircle.co.uk

It pays to
ADVERTISE
in the
To reach 1500 magicians Full page from £100.00 For full details contact the Business and
around the world costs less Half Page £55.00 Advertising Manager Scott Penrose
then you think Quarter page £30.00 on 07767 336882
all prices subject to VAT or email advertising@TheMagicCircle.co.uk

160 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MAY 2013 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk JANUARY 2013 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 000