the magic

THE CONJURING ARTS

RESEARCH CENTRE
Advancing the art of magic
 THE MAGAZINE OF THE MAGIC CIRCLE Issue 1149 Volume 106 March 2012

Features
71 Exposure Matters – The Hoffmann Memorial Lecture –
There is a Way
very issue of The

E
by Raj Rattan
75 The Conjuring Arts Research Centre: Advancing Circular should
the Art of Magic – by Will Houstoun have something
Page 67 79 Column 400 of Eddie Dawes’s A Rich Cabinet special about it, but
this issue is particularly
of Magical Curiosities – by Matthew Field
special. Reading
through, you will
Regular discover yet another article in Professor
66 President’s View Edwin A. Dawes’s fascinating ‘A Rich
66 News Cabinet of Magical Curiosities’ series.
Page 75 68 Letters to the Editor Don’t think it is just another article
68 Obituaries though – in fact, it is the 400th
70 Clever Devil Corner – Harold Cataquet column that Eddie has written for the
80 A rich cabinet of magical curiosities – magazine.
Edwin A. Dawes Now I think that is a truly
83 Conjurors Collect – Tim Reed remarkable achievement, especially
when I consider that Eddie has written
Page 79
84 Club night events – Mandy Davis Convenor of Reports
a column every month for more
86 Circular Mentalism – Ian Rowland
months than I have been alive ...
88 In Review Actually, even if I were to live for
93 The Magic Circle Cares – David Hatch another six years and Eddie decided to
94 Council minutes stop writing today, I still would not
96 Forthcoming club events – have been alive for as many months as
Noel Britten, James Freedman and Mandy Davis he has written for The Circular!
Page 84
Something else I want to mention is
editorial 07507 275 285 PhotograPher
ideas, from you The Magic Circle’s
editor Will Houstoun John Ward
[email protected] advertising 07767 336882 Members, for the magazine. Every
40 Derby Road, London, SW14 7DP Business and advertising Manager issue I will try to provide a variety of
assistant editor Tim Reed Scott Penrose content that I think will be interesting
associate editors [email protected]
Anthony Brahams, Dr Edwin Dawes, 17 Berkeley Drive, but if you have any ideas for articles or
Scott Penrose, Ian Rowland, Billericay columns I would love to hear from
David Tomkins Essex CM12 0YP
Missing and Back issues you. In addition, I will always welcome
convenor of rePorts
Mandy Davis 01923 267 057 news about Circle Members, letters or
Cover [email protected] Michael Candy
Sound of Music, Harthall Lane,
ideas for reviews. So I hope you will
William Kalush Proofreaders
Photo by Brad Fulton Paul Bromley, Julie Carpenter, Hemel Hempstead, enjoy the magazine, and I look
(www.bradsamuelfulton.com) Barry Cooper, Tim Reed, Herts HP3 8SE forward to hearing from you soon ...
© 2011 by Dan and Dave Lionel Russell, Mary Stupple Printed By
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12 Stephenson Way recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of the Editor of The Magic Circular.
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President’s view Circgr news
An Index
ne of the many wonderful things There was a time when the attendance
Once again,
about magic is the countless number figures on Monday Night Meetings were a bit
members of
of facets it embodies. I expect most of of a problem – not anymore. Meetings now
The Magic
you know that I run a school of magic near are particularly well attended, possibly due to
Circle are
my home in Kent. Every week I try to teach my the new ethos of ‘performance skills’ that
indebted to
pupils of all ages something new. As I write governs our thinking, or perhaps aided by our
Dr. C.
this column, I am putting together some ideas more relaxed dress code.
Michael
for tomorrow’s school. Despite information reaching us that many
Colley who
If I say 1089 or 21 Card Trick you will know social organisations are finding it difficult to
has prepared
the area I am talking about – effects achieved keep up their membership numbers, The
an index to all the issues of
using mathematics. Most of us learn these Magic Circle continues to keep near its normal
The Magic Circular from 2011.
two tricks at a very early stage in our careers. 1400 mark.
The index is now available on
But mathemagic has moved on a great deal in Mainly due to the huge success of the Steve
The Magic Circle website so if
recent years. One trick using this principle was Allen Shows, which are produced by Darren
you keep a file of the index
so cleverly thought out that it fooled Penn and Tossell, a whole new group of supporters has
now is the time to download it
Teller in their television show! emerged which has ensured the success of
and print out your copy.
This prompted me to undertake a more our new Seasons of Magic.
in-depth look at this subject. I made some Even the number of corporate bookings
The Magic Trek
purchases and now have a small library of of the premises for various functions is
On 16 May a group of magicians,
mathemagic books by such experts as Juan picking up.
including several members, will
Tamariz, Lennart Green and Woody Aragon. I A committee has just been formed to take
walk from Portsmouth to The
have learned so much that I have even worked over the running and promotion of Friends of
Magic Circle Headquarters via
out a mathemagic trick of my own which, The Magic Circle. Anything you can do to help
Bognor Regis, Shoreham on
although I shouldn’t say it, is pretty good. I would be greatly appreciated. I am particularly
Sea, The Associated Conjurers
intend to perform it in a show I am putting on keen to build up a target list of social clubs,
of East Sussex in Lewes, East
at The Circle in March. WI, Probus, etc. within travelling distance of
Grinstead and The South
The show is called Delvin’s Discoveries and our premises, say inside the M25 circle and
stars performers who have never entertained surrounding counties.
the society at one of our meetings before. In I expect you know by now what Friends get
fact, I am hoping some of my school members in return for a small annual fee: discounted
will pluck up enough courage to have a go, ticket prices on shows, a monthly newsletter
even though some have not performed in and, in the pipeline, events specially organised
public before. for Friends only. Clubs may join as a group
Numbers play a part in all aspects of our where it is planned to help with travel
lives. We are always counting something, or arrangements; but this is something for the
adding something up, usually money. Here at future.
The Circle they are really very important. When you read this we will be in the middle
of the Season of Winter Wizardry. I do hope
many of you have been able to support these
events, or will be attending those that are left.
Although things are looking up just now, we
do depend upon the support of our members Sean Lobban with Jack Delvin
and Friends.
London Magical Society in
South Norwood. They will finish
at The Circle HQ on the 21 May,
having walked a distance of 112
miles over six days – and yes,
one will be carried by a seven
foot tall rabbit called Harvey!
Jack Delvin MIMC The 2012 Magic Trek is open
[email protected] to any magician, children’s
entertainer or magic club
member who would like to
take part, either for a day or
two, or the entire trek. For
information please contact the
organiser, Sean Lobban, by
e-mail at [email protected]
If you would like to sponsor

66 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

the magicians taking part, what they have to offer in their
please donate securely at book on magic.
www.anthonynolanevents.org.
uk/magictrek or The Houdini
www.justgiving.com/magictrek Experience
By the time you read this,
Illusionology Member Hans Klok will be
Illusionology is the magical half way through a two
11th instalment in the month run of his show,
multi-million selling Ology The Houdini Experience,
series and was worked on by at The Peacock Theatre in
Members Sav and Peter Lane. central London. This is a
Due to be released to the great opportunity to see
general public in March, the ‘Ology’ series of books are a world-class illusionist
book will contain a mixture of beautifully produced with pop- performing a one-man
practical instruction on the ups, wonderful illustrations magic show so get your
performance of magic as well and small props to play with. tickets before the run
as historical information. The It will be interesting to see ends on 25 March.

Semi-Circles sculptor creating a clay image the Voyager and his family on
Member Todd Landman will of a very recognisable a Regent Seven Seas cruise to
be presenting the show Edge magician. The sculpture will be the Greek islands. The
of the Unknown along with gigantic when it is completed captain confessed to being
Paul Voodini at the Headgate and, if it is to be displayed to completely baffled and “all at
Theatre on 11 May 2012. It is the public, you will of course be sea!” ... If you have nothing
sure to be an interesting informed! ... The Conjuring at planned for the 9-11 March
show and there are plans to The Court show on 29 March there may still be a few
take it on a short tour of the features a line-up entirely tickets for The South Tyneside
U.K. ... Our honorary Vice comprised of Circle Members. International Magic
President, Henry Lewis has The compere is Russell Convention. Members who
been booked to present his Levinson and the performers will be performing include
stage show at the Cabot will be Marc Paul, Christian Christian Schenk and High
Theatre, Beverly, Boston, Lee, Young & Strange and Jinx ... Finally, if you are
USA, on Sunday 19 March Michael Pearse ... Wittus Witt visiting London and want to
2012. Theatre details are has announced the dates for will be announced as they see a magical show, even if it
available on the Le Grand the next European Collectors become available ... Member isn’t actually a magic show,
David website ... Paul Kieve Convention as 29 August till 1 Nigel Curtis performed close- Wicked has a brand new cast
recently bumped into a September, 2013. More details up recently for the captain of and they are fantastic!

Nigel Curtis Tommy Cooper

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 67

 variety and we were friends for over sixty
years. His act of the time was a competent
Letters to the Editor cheeky chappie presentation – imagine
Max Miller doing magic and you’re
somewhat near his style – which he
continued occasionally in retirement.
The Christmas Show At the same time, it is worth me If you were invited into the
I was so privileged to attend this year’s mentioning, that should any reader of underground cellar of his cottage home in
Magic Circle Christmas Show, it was a this letter, have one such badge that is Kent, it was packed with props, purchased
first-class event and many no longer needed, and thus happy to and invented, memorabilia, books, posters
congratulations to all concerned. route it to me for an appropriate cash and photos; everything he’d collected that
However, there was one unexpected payment, my address particulars are to took him back to the golden days of
happening in that, on Thursday 29 be found in The Circle’s List of Members, variety. He spent hours of his time in that
December, a Mr Lawyence Abele and and if more convenient, my e-mail cellar often with a nearby friend Ted
his family arrived from Florida, USA. address is [email protected] Danson and myself.
Unfortunately they had arrived a day Fraternally yours, Called for National Service, he joined
late as their tickets were for the Arthur F. MacTier AIMC the Marines and after training was posted
Wednesday show. As it was a sell-out to the Marine barracks at Deal on the
event on all days, there was no room for Getting it right Kentish Coast. This obviously made a mark
him and his family to witness the main In my review of the excellent ‘Ontology on him for when retiring he bought a
show in the theatre. Up stepped Fay Project’ by Helder Guimaraes in the cottage in that little town. On being
Presto, Chris Wood, and Lionel Russell. January Circular, I stated that the demobbed he was flooded with offers and
Fay and Chris performed first class Sympathetic Card trick was correctly contracts to resume his show business
impromptu magical entertainment in credited to Nate Leipzig. career which he did for a time but by now
the clubroom and Lionel gave the party In a correspondence with my friend he had met a girl, wished to get married,
an extended visit of the Museum and Stephen Minch, whose Hermetic Press and figured that variety, in the beginnings
Devant Room. publishes some of the very finest books of its death throes, didn’t offer a secure
I know. because Mr Abele told me, in magic, he wrote: “For your future future for marriage and a family. And then
they were “most impressed and enjoyed editing and proofing reference, please he saw an advertisement in a newspaper.
themselves immensely.” I believe this is note that ‘The Sympathetic Cards’ is not It advised that if you joined the police
the spirit of our great magical society! the invention of Nate Leipzig (an error you could retire at 45!
Take a bow Fay Presto, Chris Wood, and made by Vernon and Ganson in The It was the magic spark that revealed to
Lionel Russell as you did so well. Leipzig Book, and repeated too often). him an early retirement with a pension
Yours truly, This trick is another creation by my pet and at an age when he could resume a
Michael Gurr MMC subject, Herbert Milton, who traded it career performing magic. Which is what
to Leipzig for another trick when Leipzig he did rising from policeman on the beat
Magic Circle Blazer Badges was touring the UK in either 1921 or to Superintendent covering East London
Having read the November Council 1922. Leipzig toured England both when he retired at 45 despite senior pleas
Meeting minutes in the January Circular, years, and that seems as close as human to stay on! But he determined to return to
I should like to formally thank that body, recollection and record will get us.” magic which is what he did for many years
and Chairman Brian Sibley in particular, Just setting the published record despite the demise of the variety theatre.
for giving my wire embroidered blazer straight. This continued for many years but he
badge enquiry, such in-depth consideration. Matthew Field MIMC eventually slowed down a little as well as
looking after his wife Janet who suffered
ailing health. In addition to his love of

Obituaries day, Clyde was launched into a series of

youth revues – “Youth Takes a Bow” and
many others. He tasted and loved the
show business he had many diverse
interests. He started a magic club in
Canterbury, opened an antique shop in
show business scene of the time. The long
train journeys to the next booking, the
Clyde Clayton AIMC awful “digs”, the wicker skips in which
18 February 1931 – 21 December 2011 their props and costumes were packed
I cannot think of a name that is more after the last performance on Saturday
perfectly suited to fill a variety bill than then rushed to the station, the meeting of
Clyde Clayton. But perhaps that was all the touring companies on a Sunday at
destiny playing its part when he was Crewe station. He loved it all and as my
christened. For that was his real name – contemporary he spent many hours telling
Frank Clyde Clayton and as a young man me the stories of a theatre business that
the billing “Clyde Clayton – Magic As You no longer exists.
Like It” appeared outside variety theatres We first met as youth members at The
all over Britain for many years. Discovered Institute of Magicians; we were the same
by Bryan Michie, the Simon Cowell of his age, had the same outlook and respect for

68 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

Deal, became a member of all the orchestrions and magic memorabilia –
principal magic clubs including The Magic and, then, there’s his collection of African
Circle as well as many show business clubs art. John did everything with enthusiasm,
like The Music Hall Society and he took élan, joy and dedication.
responsibility for the upkeep of Horace John Daniel died after a long illness on
Goldin’s grave. But he could never resist October 25, 2011. He is survived by his
the urge to perform magic in front of a wife Cathy, her daughter Michelle, his son
crowd – in local pubs, on a cruise ship Danny, his former wife and close friend
during a holiday, anywhere when Irene Larsen and their son Dante Larsen –
someone said “show us a trick”. He was and those of us who knew and loved him.
star struck from the day he first picked up Joan Lawton
a magic wand. But with the advancing
years his health deteriorated requiring a Gordon A. Court MMC
number of hospital visits and he finally them in time and the show went on to 20 June 1923 – 16 November 2011
succumbed to a long bout of pneumonia Broadway. Gordon Court, who performed using the
and passed away surrounded by his family The U.S. Army intervened in 1953, name Cortez, had a lasting interest in
just before Christmas. drafted John and sent him abroad. In magic, having seen his first magic show at
Frank was a kindly man who helped me Germany, he met a blonde beauty named the age of 10. At 12 years old he started
and many others with lots of ideas and Irene Stolz, thought she’d be great in to do shows at school and charity events
props over the years, but it was his assisting with illusions and, oh yes, fell in and at 14, despite being under the
burning passion for magic and all forms of love with her. John wooed Irene by mail minimum age required to join, he became
theatre performance, particularly over the and eventually convinced her to come to a member of the Wessex Magical
last century, that endeared him to me and America to marry him. That was 1957. Association.
many other magicians to whom he The following year, John joined forces During the Second World War, Gordon
generously gave his time and friendship. with Carl Owen. He claimed that he continued to perform, working as a
He represented an age when magic was learned more about building magic from member of a selection
the entertainment of the day. I miss that Carl than he had learned in the previous of concert parties
genre greatly, as I miss Frank – a true 15 years. doing shows for
magician with a true respect for the art. John and Irene divorced but stayed close various army bases and
John Derris MIMC friends. Irene married Bill Larsen, Jr. and R.A.F. stations. He also
became Princess Irene of the Magic Castle. performed on H.M.S.
John Daniel MIMC John continued doing theatrical shows Asphodel in 1943 and
23 December 1931 – 25 October 2011 until one night, famed night club had a lucky escape,
Is there a person whose life was full of impresario, Barry Ashton, caught his show leaving the ship just a
exuberance, curiosity, humour, creativity, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre. For Ashton, few months before it
talent, eclectic sensibilities, joy, John went into the Golden Casino in Reno was sunk with all
appreciation of true beauty, generosity, to do three shows a night, seven nights a hands.
wonder and, yes, magic? Indeed, there week. He was booked for 12 weeks and After the war
was! He was John Daniel. stayed six months! A long and successful Gordon joined the
A native of Pasadena, California, John association with Ashton continued. Ministry of Shipping
saw several magic shows but it was one The most memorable result of John’s and resumed an active
he witnessed at age 11 that decided the working with Barry Ashton was meeting a role in the Wessex
path to his future. On that fateful night, vivacious, young dark-haired and beautiful magic society. Between 1947 and 1953,
the magician inadvertently exposed the dancer named Cathy Murrell. This former he performed in every single one of their
Asrah Levitation. John was fascinated and Miss America contender from Virginia public shows and in 1950 he was elected
decided that working with stage illusions stole his heart and became his work and President of the club.
was for him. life partner. Gordon joined The Magic Circle in 1974
Encouraged by people like George In 1968, John received the very first and maintained his interest in magic
McAthy and William Larsen, Sr., John Stage Magician of the Year Award from through his retirement, his wife’s illness
eventually teamed up with another young the Academy of Magical Arts. He was and two hip operations – he even
magician, Robert (Torchy) Towner. recognised with the Academy’s Lifetime managed to perform a show the week
Together, they began to build props as Achievement Award in April 2011. before he died!
they travelled 25 miles in both directions, Just another magician? I should say not! Throughout his life Gordon had a love
on a motor-scooter loaded with props, to John threw himself into a variety of of magic. Whether it was watching
visit the Thayer Magic Studio, then owned interests. At one time, his and Cathy’s performers such as Goldin, Frakson,
by the senior Larsen. dining room walls were lined with model Maskelyne and Howard de Courcey in his
Vaudeville comedians Olsen & Johnson trains. Their living room is still home to youth, performing in his own shows, or
were building a show on the West Coast. some amazingly beautiful carousel helping to encourage other magicians
John got a call from the prop department animals. He housed a full collection of through his work in magic societies he
on a Thursday for magic props. John and automated Baranger jewellery displays in was always doing something for magic –
Torchy had to get the props ready for a one of his studios. The studio behind his and magic will miss him.
rehearsal on that Saturday. They finished home is filled to the ceiling with Will Houstoun AIMC

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 69

 Harold Cataquet AIMC

SHOW SOME RESPECT

have many friends who are Trafford. A spectator, who had seen and respect for other performers. It’s

I professional magicians. So one day, I

had the idea of getting them all
together and making them perform for
several magicians over several home
games, commented: “Is this a standard
magician package? Do they just give you
one thing when a lecturer comes to
town, presents a trick, and asks you to
buy it from him. They want you to
one another. We have all worked sponge balls, a cup and a pack of cards?” perform the trick and everyone is seeing
together in various combinations and So, be warned, spectators are catching on it at the same time, so you can’t really
venues over the years, but none of us to the classics, and they want to see call the trick “yours”. However, when
has ever seen any of the others perform. something different ... Oddly enough, I you see a performance that is NOT a
There were two motivations for the know one magician who heard this and lecture, you have no right to copy that
gathering. First, I wanted to see what added the chop cup to his repertoire. His effect and presentation. If you really want
(how) they performed. The plan was to analysis was that if these are the tricks to copy that effect and presentation,
have a theme (eg, at the tables, meet that the pros are using, then those are then ask him! You will find that in many
and greet, etc) and everyone who really good tricks, so he should add the cases, they say “No!”… Perhaps I reveal
attended had to perform. Second, I chop cup to his list. here my own insecurities. I have tricks
wanted to use the opportunity to allow But as I mentioned before, the insecurity which I consider my around the world
them to give/get feedback. isn’t restricted to having others duplicate “babies” and I do not want them to
However, this gathering will never your effects. It also extends to lines and leave the cradle, let alone enter another
happen! We’ll get together and talk magician’s repertoire.
about our latest purchases, what magic There’s nothing wrong with
DVD we just saw, what magic book performing a classic, but you need to
we’re reading, etc. But we’ll never show make it yours. So, how can you achieve
each other our around the world uniqueness when it comes to a classic?
“earners”. The reason is that as I started Here are some obvious suggestions:
talking to people about the upcoming change the props (make them look like
event, insecurities and worries started to something else), change the
reveal themselves. For example, I might presentation, and try to avoid the
have trick B in my repertoire, but no one standard lines. Most importantly, you
has seen my handling of trick B ... or have to keep the essence of the trick. In
maybe even knows about its existence. a close-up context, printing cheap cards,
When they find out about it, they’ll presentations. We are all familiar with the or making large glossy props makes the
want to perform that trick, and my long list of cliché lines (e.g. “Would you whole effect look contrived and
‘uniqueness’ will disappear. I remember like to change your mind, or are you happy cheapens the performance… Write to
Ali Bongo once told me that in the old with the one you have?”) and although me if you have any other ideas.
days, if performer A has trick B in his we look down on them because they are I received many other contrasting
act, no other performer would even overused, they still get a favourable comments in my attempt to organise
think of performing trick B in his act. reaction from the general public (who the event. For example, some magicians
Nowadays, we don’t have that respect haven’t been exposed to the plethora of wanted full explanations after the
for another performer. We have no clichés). So when someone says routines, while others did not want to
hesitation in trying to track down an something different, its uniqueness has a explain anything. Some wanted to
effect and replicating the presentation. greater impact, and it’s instantly copied. explicitly exclude certain magicians (e.g,
When I first started working with When I tried to explain the problem to because they were terrible performers
other professionals, they were very one of the magicians in the group (who I [yes, pros can be terrible!]). I wanted to
explicit with their effects. I was later found out was notorious for stealing invite the terrible performers, because I
frequently told something like: “I other people’s material), he said that it thought it was important for them to
perform sponge balls, ambitious card, was no different than comedians stealing hear the criticism from other magicians
and chop cup. Don’t even think of lines from one another. But is it?! If you (although they’ve heard it from me
performing those effects tonight.” I consider that you perform 3 or 4 effects at many times). Others said that they
respected those guidelines, but today, a table, then if you duplicate a trick, then didn’t want to hear any negative
no one stakes out their territory, and so it’s like taking 1/3 or 1/4 of a comedian’s comments about their performance!
there are certain ‘classics’ that everyone material! That is far more than just one or As the list of conditions grew, I gave
performs. The first warning sign was two lines. up. In the end, it was a good idea but it
heard at Manchester United’s Old This is really just a call for uniqueness stayed on the drawing board.

70 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

 H OF
FMANN LEC
T
EXPOSURE
UR
THE

Exposure has been defined

ES
MATTERS
by Raj Rattan MBE MMC

History Boy’s Annual, included a section titled

as: “the sharing of magic The first textbook to expose the ‘Modern Magic’. He hoped the
methods with secrets of magic was published in exposures would inspire magicians to
1584. Written by Reginald Scot, The redesign effects and make them more
non-magicians or the open
Discoverie of Witchcraft, exposed progressive in their thinking.
publication of methods some of the great feats of magic. The In the 1930s, the R. J. Reynolds
referred to in the magic justification of the exposure was to Tobacco Company, producers of the
community”. It is a subject discredit those who claimed to have Camel cigarette brand, ran with the
that has been debated supernatural powers. slogan: “it’s fun to be fooled; it’s more
amongst magicians for many Other publications sought to justify fun to know.” They featured a series
exposure differently. Thomas Denton of exposures including the earliest
decades and it continues to
published The Conjurer Unmasked in known exposure of the classic Sawing
be a subject of much z1785 writing that: “We promise for a a Woman in Half. Horace Goldin
discussion today. This article certainty that it will operate as a attempted to sue the tobacco company,
aims to add to that body of spring to the industry of performers in but was unsuccessful. It was one of his
opinion and information by that art by compelling them to some many attempts at suing over exposures.
exploring the terminology, new inventions to deceive and amuse Perhaps the most widely known case
us.” He saw his publication as a of exposure on television was the
assessing the consequences
catalyst to encourage and spawn new series, Breaking the Magician’s Code
and considering the impact effects. Almost a century later, (1997-98) with Val Valentino,
of exposure to lay and Professor Hoffmann, writing in the performing as his alter-ego The
professional audiences.

s
1870s publication Routledge’s Every Masked Magician. The result was that

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 71

Valentino was ostracised by the magic To understand this, we must first ask the 3 The secret
fraternity for breaching ethical principles. question: “What is the audience buying?” 4 The personality of the performer
Little has changed and magicians and We must re-visit and redefine what we do, See Fig. A
audiences alike continue to debate the why we do it and how we are judged by
effects and impact of exposure in the our audiences. Exposure Classification
modern era where technology allows Sean Fields, writing on the Ellusionist We know that there are justifiable and
ever-faster dissemination of information. website on October 4, 2010, had this to unjustifiable reasons for exposure and that
say on the subject: “The idea of some the acceptance of exposure is determined
The Yin and Yang of Exposure D-bag showing the world how the effects by the perspective and the context of the
The yin and yang symbol is one of the we practice and perform work – the exposure. See Fig.B
most well-known of ancient symbols. effects we make our livings with – makes This classification system helps to
According to Chinese philosophy, all magicians sick. The exposer is ruining the deconstruct the concept that we call
complete entities contain both yin and magic for us, and our audiences. He is exposure. It’s purpose – to separate the yin
yang; the black spot in the white area of robbing them of the opportunity to from the yang and look at the effects of
the symbol along with the reverse experience that increasingly rare feeling of each.
illustrates the philosophy. It is the principle wonder. Or is he? If you want to look at
of duality – as it applies to exposure, there the issue of exposure logically, and Intentional Exposure
are times when exposure is acceptable and without bias, you must first look at This is the deliberate and wilful exposure
times that it is not. The positive and WHERE and HOW magic is being of the secret.
negative effects co-exist at the same time. exposed.”
Exposure is acceptable on the basis of Intentional Exposure to the Public
education, innovation and skill appreciation. Revisiting the Art-form There are 2 types of intentional exposure,
The ‘appreciation’ argument states that Published in 1896, Leo Tolstoy’s treatise classified here as type 1 and type 2
exposure enables an audience to admire What is Art? is concerned with the nature exposures.
the skill of the performer. It may be true of of art. According to Tolstoy, the aim of art Type 1 exposure results in the revelation
a juggler, but is it necessarily true of is not merely to provide pleasure or of the secret being exposed so that
magicians? Why did legends like Dai Vernon, entertainment; rather it is an expression of onlookers know how an effect was
Charlie Millers et alia perfect their an experience delivered in a way that accomplished. Put simply, the magician
techniques so as to hide the skill behind allows the audience to share the intentionally gives away the secret. The
the effect? If magicians wish to demonstrate experience. ‘Good art’ has a form and Masked Magician’s revelations would fall
skill, they can use flourishes. content which are in unity with the ideas into this category. It is normally frowned
As Tommy Wonder states in The Books and feelings which it evokes or represents. upon because it breaches the ethical code
of Wonder: “spectators don’t care in the In contrast, ‘bad art’ lacks this and is of magical societies.
least that you can do certain things they shallow, crude, clumsy, contrived, In contrast, type 2 revelations are false
cannot – why should they care?” melodramatic, pretentious, or banal. revelations where the ‘exposure’ is integral
Tolstoy was not a magician, but appears to the effect. Its purpose is to mislead,
Intellectual Property to have captured the essence of the art misdirect, or add a twist to heighten the
One of the consequences of exposure is form we call magic. He also argued that climax of the effect. An example is the Silk
the loss of intellectual property. Attempts the greatness of art could only be to Egg routine, where the false revelation
to seek legal redress of such losses have, determined by the audience and not by is part of the so-called sucker effect. Type
until recently, not been very successful and the intention of its creator. Tolstoy’s view is 2 exposures have the effect of adding
little case law exists, until quite recently. shared by many today, but little research impact and as such are entirely justified
A landmark case, listed as Yigal Mesika has been done on audience perception and without lasting consequences.
v. Sean Bogunia et al., CV09-1580 JFW and perspectives. That said, consider these two scenarios.
(C.D. Cal. 2009), is the first case to ever In his linking rings routine, the
prevent imitation of a magician’s device, in Anatomy of Performance legendary Joseph Dunninger would
this case the patented Miniature Spooling To research this further, an on-line survey intentionally expose the secret by revealing
Apparatus in Yigal Mesika’s Spider Pen. was designed to explore many of the the key ring. This is clearly a type 1
The allegation from Yigal Mesika was that aspects of exposure and its likely impact exposure. He would then discard this ring,
Sean Bogunia has infringed Mesika’s on audiences. In total 296 people and recreate the effect, using the same
patent in manufacturing the iThread and responded to the survey, slightly less than principle with a second key ring and
related products. In the future, magicians the target sample size of 300. (The sample continue to fool audiences, thereby
will undoubtedly cite this landmark size is small and there would be some heightening the effect.
judgement to protect intellectual property merit in repeating the survey to a larger In the modern era, Penn & Teller will
rights and to challenge alleged patent sample.) Magicians were excluded from frequently expose the workings of an
infringement. It is likely to reform how the the sample. effect as an integral part of their
business of magic is conducted. To gain a further insight into Tolstoy’s entertainment strategy offering both type
view on the art-form, a question was 1 and type 2 exposures within a single
What is the Audience Buying? asked to investigate what matters to the performance.
Whilst lawyers and ethicists debate the audiences. Four attributes were selected: For example, Penn and Teller’s Magic
legal and moral issues, what matters to 1 Theatrical presentation Box Trick on YouTube has been viewed
the performer is the impact on audiences. 2 Comedy over 9,000 times (at the time of writing)

72 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

Fig.A 10 answered “completely” to this question.
100 years ago, The Philadelphia North
WHAT FACTORS ARE IMPORTANT TO THE AUDIENCE American newspaper ran a series exposing
205 Howard Thurston’s best illusions before he
THEATRICAL PRESENTATION
COMEDY arrived in town. Despite this exposure,
THE MYSTERY OF NOT KNOWING Thurston played to packed houses when
146 142
HOW IT WAS DONE
123
he did arrive according to The Phoenix No.
PERSONALITY OF THE PERFORMER 115 17, September 4, 1942. It would seem
103
that audiences of the day had similar
72 75
63 views to the audiences of today.
49 44 One question on the survey was
13 11 designed to see what would happen if
8 5 1
a secret was revealed to somebody. The
NO IMPACT LITTLE IMPACT SOME IMPACT LOT OF IMPACT question was: “If you were shown how to
perform a magical effect, how confident
Fig.B are you that you would never reveal the
secret to another person?” The vast
EXPOSURE majority of respondents claimed that
they would reveal the secret to selected
INTENTIONAL UNINTENTIONAL people. See Fig.C
This suggests that when audiences say:
To lay public To magicians To expose fraud
Competent Incompetent “You can tell me how it’s done, I won’t tell
performance performer
anybody...” they are, predictably, not to be
trusted! But it should be noted that the
True False Inadvertent effects of a word-of-mouth revelation are
Teaching Commerce Thearical Deception Lack of skill
revelation revelation error
very small in comparison to more viral
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4 Type 5 Type 6 Type 7 Type 8
media of exposure.

Intentional Exposure to Magicians

Fig.C
and Aspiring Magicians
Type 3 and type 4 exposures fall into this
250
category. The purpose of type 3 and 4
200 exposures is education, the aim is to teach
the art form to the next generation of
150 enthusiasts, amateurs and professional
performers. It is necessary to inspire
100 others, but the education must go beyond

s
the secret itself and encompass the
50
Fig.D
0
Never reveal Reveal to Reveal anyone Seek every opportunity
selected people who asks to reveal

46 194 41 12

and exposes how the effect is performed “Even when you know how it’s done it
by using clear plastic boxes. A similar just makes it even more beautiful to
approach to the cups and balls using clear watch.”
cups has also been exposed on YouTube To consider the effect of exposure on
with almost one million viewings. the public further, participants in the
So for the entertaining and skilled survey were asked to respond to the
performer, the classification now starts to question “Is the entertainment value of
look a little different. For Penn and Teller, magic diminished for you if the secret is
the true exposure is an integral part of the revealed to you?” The respondents could l To expose someone who alleges to have
performance creating an effect that a select one of 4 answers: Not At All, To ‘special powers
l To generate publicity for the person who
lesser entertainer may struggle to achieve. Some Extent, To a Large Extent or
exposes the secret
The effect of this type of exposure on Completely. l To satisfy the public’s curiosity
public’s perception of magic appears to be Almost one-third of respondents replied l To allow members of the public to
very little because they continue to enthral “Not at all.” The remainder opined there learn to do ‘tricks’
audiences. One viewer commenting on was some loss in entertainment value as a l Never justified because secrets need to be
the Penn and Teller routine remarked: result of knowing the secret, but only 1 in preserved to protect this art form

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 73

broader aspects of performance. type 5, and purposeful, possibly forms: Unconscious incompetence arises
The critics argue that the education fraudulent deception, type 6. when a performer does not know what
perspective does not always apply because Type 5 exposure is, in some ways, a they don’t know, and conscious
the wrong people, those who have no misnomer. It arises in a scenario where the incompetence arises when the
interest in the art, may also have access performer plays a character who alleges to shortcomings are known to the performer
to the secrets. One way is to control the have special powers. The character is a and provide an impetus for further study
dissemination of information via theatrical creation and so are the special and practice.
membership of clubs and societies powers. It is akin to Barry Humphries To quote Sean Fields, writing on The
where the right people reside. playing the character Dame Edna Everage; Ellusionist website, “The only type of
But, this argument fails when it comes the audience is aware of the character and exposure that matters; the only kind of
to the type 4 exposures; those that are therefore aware that the dialogue with the exposure that actually hurts the art of
sold in the industry. The preservation of character is theatre and not reality. A magic, is – fortunately enough – the only
secrets is an ethical imperative in magical magician in-character who professes to type of exposure you can control. That is
societies all over the world, but is this have special powers is an acceptable exposure through poor performance.” He
ethical position compromised when it deception because the audience knows is referring to a type 8 exposure.
comes to commercial sales? and accepts the deception.
The selling of magic is the business of This is different from the performer who The Impact of Incompetence on the
magic. It is a necessary part of the industry. purports to have special powers – Type 6 Audience
Sales drive development, promote exposure. James Randi has led the cause This was measured by asking the question:
innovation, and provide financial reward for exposure when it comes to fraudulent “If a magician accidentally revealed how
for inventors, recognition for originality claims, first capturing the public’s an effect was performed because it went
and, in some cases, immortality for the attention when he accused Uri Geller of wrong, would your perception of him/her
variations and sleights named after them. using magic devices to accomplish his be diminished?”
The question that arises is: if disclosure allegedly paranormal feats. Almost 3 out of 4 respondents noted
of secrets to the wrong-people is labelled In the survey, participants were asked that there would be some impact. It
‘exposure’ and is deemed to be under which circumstances exposure could makes the case for developing
undesirable, does the commercial sale of be justified. The results show that over competence through deliberate practice.
an effect to the ‘wrong people’ fall within 50% of the public favour exposure in the 25% were a very forgiving audience!
the same category? Where is the line to be case of fraud but, interestingly, 30%
drawn when it comes to ethical practices stated that exposure was never justified – Conclusion
when there is a price-tag attached? a curious result which seems to suggest There is a view that modern magic has a
Suppliers will be interested in sales – the that a significant number of people would technical focus and that the public are
business model is reliant on it – but few prefer to be misled at any cost! See Fig.D interested only in the workings of the
suppliers limit their sales to the right magic which fuels their appetite for
people. Unintentional Exposure exposure. The survey results suggest
Unintentional exposures, types 7 and 8, otherwise.
What are the Long-term Effects of arise from a failure during a performance. In the words of Abb Dickson: “Magic is
Media Exposure? It is the result of human error on the part like a butterfly. You can give a 5-year old
The answer is quite simply negligible when of the competent performer, amateurs boy a butterfly, and he can look at it,
one considers viewing figures in relation to and professionals alike. Dropping a admire it and marvel at its beauty, and
the potential size of the viewing audience palmed card, separation of the cards then he can let it go. Or he can pull the
and the retention of information. In during a double lift, failing to steal or wings and the legs off of it, to see how it
response to the question: “Do you watch switch an item or the flashing of a hidden works...and all he will have left is a dead
shows that reveal the secret of magic?” device may all expose the secret. butterfly…”
30% answered no and 37% said that they The type 7 exposure is a variation of Like magic, the majesty of the butterfly
had never heard of The Masked Magician. type 2. In a type 2 exposure, the magician cannot be reduced to an examination of
The effect of such exposure appears to be provides a false explanation to the its anatomy. A quality performance will
short-lived. audience – there is deliberate survive the effects of exposure and talent
It is interesting to note that when asked communication with the audience. will be unscathed by any assault upon it.
what magic effect they most want to know In contrast, during a type 7 exposure,
the secret of the majority of respondents the effect is achieved by inference and, Acknowledgements
in the survey mentioned Sawing a Woman usually, by mimicking error. From the My thanks to David Redfearn, MIMC, for
in Half the secret of, which is but a few audience’s perspective, the trick has his guidance, advice and help with my
clicks away via Google. It appears that the gone wrong – only for them to magical pursuits.
appetite for knowing the secret is not as discover an alternative finale later in [Ed. because of the number of charts
great as is sometimes alleged and we the performance. Sophisticated audiences and illustrations in Raj’s original essay an
should not be preoccupied with it. can anticipate this. abridged version had to be prepared for
Magicians abhor type 8 errors, the The Circular. The full essay is available to
To Expose Fraud effect of which is unacceptable exposure read and download on The Magic Circle
When it comes to fraud, one important arising from a disregard for the reputation website.]
distinction must be drawn that of the craft of magic. It arises from lack of
distinguishes between theatrical fraud, competence which may present in two

74 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

THE CONJURING ARTS
RESEARCH CENTRE
An interview by Will Houstoun AIMC with William Kalush AIMC
Advancing the art of magic

he Conjuring Arts Research Centre needed an ability to remember things Ask Alexander became a resource for

T is an organisation in New York City

dedicated to raising the public’s
awareness and respect for magic, as
laterally. By that, I mean I could read
many thousands of pages of books
and diaries etc but I might find
every member. Of course you get more
material at the higher levels.

well as providing resources for something later that I would want to h I know there is an absolutely huge
magicians. I spoke with its founder, reference back and not remember amount of material in Ask Alexander,
William Kalush, to find out more. small details. So I started scanning the do you know how much is there?
books and materials so that I could k Yes, there’s something like 2.4
Will Houstoun: I first came across search them. It was really intended to million pages in total. But there is no
CARC through Ask Alexander, your be a tool for me and our team to do level, other than my admin level here
database of books and magazines that Houdini research ... but once you start in the library, that can access all of it.
are all scanned and fully searchable. putting things in you have to put all Within our U.S. copyright laws we can
Can you tell us a little bit about how The Sphinx in and Stanyon’s Magic and scan our entire collection regardless of
Ask Alexander came to be? pretty soon you get a massive amount its copyright status but we cannot,
William Kalush: It’s always been of material. without agreement, allow copyrighted
something that I’ve wanted to do. I’ve It was only later, after the books material to be used outside the library
always been an index aficionado and were finished, that we thought that itself.
I’ve always liked being able to find maybe we could use this as a resource
things quickly. Much as I treasure my at CARC. We had some higher-level h So somebody who was doing
books, I like to use them as references memberships and I instructed one of research could visit you and use it all?
to find what I need. When optical my assistants to give the higher-level k Much more yes. But we have been
character recognition started I would memberships, Hofzinser and Erdnase, very fortunate. The publishers, who
do small projects but when I started to access to Ask Alexander. She are more or less all my friends, have all
write the book The Secret Life of mistakenly gave access to everyone, allowed us to use their things. The
Houdini it really took off. I started to including the lowest Charlier level, best things, like Genii, MUM, The
collect material and I realised that to which was not intended! But I didn’t Linking Ring and The Magic Circular
do the research the way I wanted, and want to go back either, so I said: “Well are all in Ask Alexander because the

s
to make the case I want to make, I that was a mistake we will own.” and people that control the copyright have

William Kalush, Founder of CARC

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 75

 advantage of it is that it’s an instant,
current translation. We are not archiving
the translations and serving them, instead
we are generating them through Google
on-the-fly. So as Google gets better, the
translation gets better. That’s pretty
exciting! You will be able to read the
great, non-English magazines in English
once we roll out this feature.
Another goal, and let’s just be clear I am
a capitalist, is that I would like to Ask
Alexander to be available to people that
can’t afford our yearly rates. We are going
to try and introduce some lower, shorter
Noah Levine Research Fellow at CARC term, rates and also to have a
been very generous with us. We’ve done community-based, crowd source system.
the work and covered the expense of the We would allow people to do little bits of
scanning but they have allowed us to make work for us, correcting page numbers etc.,
it accessible to our users. that a crowd can do more easily than a
few people in an office. For each little task
h 2.4 million pages seems like an awful they will accrue credits towards free access
lot. How long do you think it is going to to the database.
keep expanding for? In 2012 we will roll out a feature where
k Well in some sense it is misleading. you won’t need to be logged in to search
Some things, like Genii and The Linking Ask Alexander, you just won’t be able to
Ring, we’ve scanned more than once. We see the actual pages. So you will see all
did it initially in black-and-white and then, the results and references and if you have
when the technology made it possible to the book on your shelf you can take it
do a better quality colour scan, we re-did down and look in it. That doesn’t violate
it. So they are not all unique pages. It is copyright law, it’s considered fair use.
expanding though and there are still a vast We’re really just trying to think about
number of books and resources that are tools that would make Ask Alexander
not in it. more usable in our community.

Steve Cuiffo working on the Hocus Pocus

Project in hospital
h A lot of people have talked about the
Internet as a terrible thing for magic. But
want to see Herrmann posters” and then there are a few things, like Ask Alexander,
to see an image of every known poster that take the potential of the Internet and
and to get whatever the current use it for the good of magic. How do you
information is about each of them. Stuff think magicians’ use of the Internet is
like how many copies there are, going to develop?
whereabouts they are etc. The kind of k I think the big thing about the Internet,
things that historians like to know. Our that not everybody understands yet, is its
intention is to create a catalogue of all power to build community. I think that
things that connect to magic in any way. social networking is used for leisure now
and I think that soon it will become a way
h Do you have any other plans for Ask for people to communicate with like-minded
Dr. Alexis Pavenick Head Librarian at CARC
Alexander that you can tell us about? people around the world. Everyone knows
Anything for the people who might use it the centre of card magic is really in Spain
Recently, we drastically changed the to research new tricks and methods rather at the moment, because of Tamariz and
metadata system. Originally, Ask Alexander than history? Ascanio amongst others, and those
was intended just for books and magazines, k One thing that we’ve been working communities would benefit from
but now we have a structure underneath on, that’s not ready for prime time yet but connecting to people all over the world.
for us to catalogue archives of photographs, is getting there, is instant translation. So if The Internet takes some of the power out
broadsides, posters and letters. So if you were in Spain and wanted to read The of broadcast and publishing. Previously a
somebody sent us a thousand photographs Sphinx in Spanish, you could bring up the point of view was only available to
of magicians and we then add the metadata page and right next to it a translation somebody with a printing press. The
we could put them into the database. would appear. Obviously we don’t have Internet is allowing people to connect to
the resources to translate our entire smaller, much more specific audiences.
h And they will be searchable? collection, but the translation tools from
k Right. We know that to be fully useful, Google are getting quite good. They’re h Something else that CARC does is
it would be nice to go on and say: “I just not perfect by a long shot, but the publish its journal Gibecière twice a year.

76 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

 Can you tell us a bit about that?
k Well, all the membership levels get
you access to the journal twice a year.
Stephen Minch is the editor and it’s
printed in fine quality on archival
quality paper and sewn -bound. I think
it’s quite lovely! It is devoted to original
research on the history of magic and
ranges from the smallest issue of
maybe 150 pages to the one that is at
the press now which is nearly 300. We
have quite an illustrious list of
contributors, both from the academic
and magic worlds, and we have a lot
of groundbreaking stuff lined up. With
only two issues a year we can only put
out so much.

David Blaine, Doug McKenzie, Zach Messer and Ricky Smith at a h It seems to have quite an academic
Hocus Pocus Project session
feel, was that deliberate?
k Personally I am not a huge fan of
how academics deal with magic and
the social/cultural sciences, but I did
want something more serious,
somewhere for longer pieces. If you
want to write a 40 page article on the
history of the Jacob’s Ladder principle
you couldn’t publish it anyplace else in
the magic world. That was the first
article we put in the first issue and I’m
delighted with it. I love the genealogy
of where the material comes from.
We also wanted early material. We

s
clearly haven’t limited it to early
Janie Brookshire, Jen Spota and Sean Rockoff at
Work in the Library

An Ask Alexander playing card and William Kalush’s book

The Library’s Rare Book Room

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 77

 poor manner it won’t be as well-respected
or as long-lasting as something that is
made properly. It takes time and energy,
but it doesn’t take an enormous amount
more money to tend to the details. We
also spend the money to print most issues
fully in colour, even if we can’t find
enough material to really warrant the
whole issue. We want to encourage our
contributors to find great material in
colour for their articles.

h So you want a combination of great

content, in a great package, to encourage
people to read and add to Gibecière?
k That’s right. I would suspect people
read Gibecière, who didn’t know they
were interested in history, because it was
The Rare Books Room contains a selection of early magic books and manuscripts attractive. That may be a way to
material, we publish things from all magic and magicians in it. Others have encourage people get into magic history.
centuries and are delighted to do so, but mentioned it through the years, I’m not
we recognise that the magic history sure that anyone knew there was a card h Another thing that I know you do
community are more interested in the trick in it till I discovered that. One of the at CARC is a sort of magic community
so-called golden-age of magic than they earliest books we have in the collection is project called The Hocus Pocus Project.
are in the really early roots ... and we a book on arithmetic Pitagoras Aritmetice k That is our outreach project. We are
wanted to correct that a little bit. Introductor by Filippo Clalandri that was a private foundation, so we are not
printed in Florence in 1491. It’s an obligated to do outreach, but it’s the
h Do you think this is because there’s so arithmetic book ... you go through it front right thing to do. One Christmas some
much information available about the to back and it is an arithmetic book ... but of the board of directors thought we
golden age or is there some other reason at the end it teaches you how to read your would try to send magicians out to do
why that seems to be the trend? friend’s mind using math. Fibonacci’s Liber entertainment. Before we got it off the
k I think that there’s less of an interest in Abaci, the first important book on ground we changed it ... we took one
magic history in other languages and I mathematics written in the west in the from the Bible and instead of giving a man
think that if you want to study the history 13th century, teaches mathematical tricks a fish and feeding him for a day we
of an effect you have to be able to and how to read minds with numbers. To decided to teach him how to fish and feed
somehow penetrate multiple languages all me these qualify as magic books. It was him for a lifetime! So we started to teach
over Europe. It’s also difficult to know done as entertainment and it is magic in New York City, initially in
what books to look at and not everybody interesting. I think you have to look at children’s hospitals, then we expanded to
has access to the books. You need to be in non-magic books until probably the 17th veterans hospitals, community centres and
a big city with a great library for really century or even the beginning of the 18th the juvenile detention system. By the time
early stuff. But you can have a file of The century before you can start focusing on this goes to press we will have started the
Sphinx and do quite a bit of interesting books that are just about magic. first trial of teaching magic programmes in
research into the golden period. So yes, So for me I have to cast a wide net. I’m the New York City Juvenile Justice system
ease of access makes a big difference. very interested in lots of different things for high school credit. A boy or girl will
that can be used as magic and a lot of have 27 hours of magic instruction and if
h I once read that you have a much times these things show up in books that they hit their objectives they will get credit
broader view of what constitutes a magic are not magic books. Books that would towards a high school diploma! We’re
book than most people. What kind of thing never be perceived as magic books by a
were you talking about and what sort of book dealer or normal collector.
advantage do you think it gives you?
k Well that’s a good point. I do have a h You mentioned that Gibecière is
pretty broad reach. If I were only published on archival paper etc. but you
interested in collecting and researching have also chosen a very open page layout
books that are pure books on magic, and done things like putting a letterpress
I would have very few things I could look finish on the covers. This makes it look
at from the 16th and 17th centuries. There wonderful but why did you do all the things
are, however, lots of books with little that make Gibecière look nice but perhaps
mentions of magicians here and there. The don’t affect, say, the archival quality?
first time a card trick was put into print is k Well, I’m a big believer that to make a
in Geronimo Cardarno’s De Subtilitate beautiful product you have to work on the
printed in 1550. It’s not a magic book outside and the inside. It could be great
although there are a lot of things about research, but if it is published in a very Ricky Smith Student in Residence at CARC

78 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

very excited because there’s a lot that you
and I know about magic that a regular
school but that doesn’t mean there’s
millions of basketball players overrunning
Column 400 of
educator wouldn’t understand ... It the leagues, it wouldn’t be a problem? Eddie Dawes’s
encourages you to read, it encourages you
to engage with others in a non-violent
k Exactly. If it really grows to a national
or international level, where lots of kids
A Rich Cabinet
way, it encourages the students to think. are getting this kind of basic teaching, it of Magical
We also created the programme taking
something right out of Robert-Houdin’s
will not create many more magicians but it
will create an enormous community of
Curiosities
book. It’s an empowerment programme, people who respect magic, because they by Matthew Field MIMC
so we tell the kids: “Performing magic is understand something about it. If these
really about being an actor playing the kids didn’t learn basketball in school, would 1972 was a year marked by the
part of somebody with real power. As it be as popular as it is? I don’t think so. I Watergate scandal in the US, the
professional magicians many of us have think once you have a basic appreciation massacre of Israeli athletes at the
multiple powers that we can appear to of anything you will have a lot more Munich Olympics, Bloody Sunday in
have, but as a beginner you should choose respect for what people are doing than if Northern Ireland and Bobby Fischer
one power.” We give them a little menu you don’t know anything at all. beating Boris Spassky in Iceland to
of powers, they choose the power, then become world chess champion.
we give them some ways in which the h You mentioned that you have already Feature films released in the year
power could be demonstrated and then, done this with kids in hospitals and in the included The Godfather, Fiddler on
at the end, we give them the method to Juvenile Justice System. What actual the Roof and Diamonds are Forever,
use. So we kind of teach them backwards benefits have you seen in them? and Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck
... we talk about how it looks first and k We are getting comments back from were born. Oh ... And Prof. Edwin
then we teach how to do it. the Juvenile Justice System that they are A. Dawes’s A Rich Cabinet of Magical
seeing boys that never made positive eye Curiosities began in The Magic
h Have you seen any difference in the way contact in their life making eye contact Circular, Vol. 66
these kids are learning because they’re without it being a prelude to a fight. It’s a No. 732.
taking this approach right from the start? lot about respect. The kids in hospital, for In this issue,
k Most of our programs are co-ed but example, are the most disenfranchised nearly 40 years
the juvenile detention system runs people in the world because they get lots later, you can
separate programmes for the boys and the of pity and attention, but they’re not read Prof.
girls. The boys are still more interested in getting any respect. All of a sudden magic Dawes’s 400th
the methods, even though we don’t teach levels the playing field a little bit ... the instalment of A
that way, but the girls are interested in young child can learn something and all of Rich Cabinet of
how to make it look okay. They want to a sudden the doctors and the nurses and Magical
be little actors and they have a totally their parents don’t understand. In a subtle Curiosities. That
different take. way that makes the adult look at the child first column was
in a new way, with a bit more respect. subtitled ‘A Dream
h It will be interesting to see whether you Kids are very sensitive and pretty soon it’s of Wealth’ and dealt
can see how this affects the kids. not just about this poor kid who is a victim with a Chung Ling Soo Eddie Dawes
k Absolutely. That’s one of the reasons I in hospital, he’s become somebody with a stage effect of that name.
was so excited about this programme little power. It has always been my opinion,
going into a credit situation in the school publicly stated, that what we are
system within the Justice System. We’ll get h For anyone who is interested in your given each month in this magical
more metrics. We will know, on average, work what is the best way to find out more? Cabinet is no less than a
do the student’s other class scores go up k We’ve got the website post-graduate course in magic history.
when they start learning magic, what www.conjuringarts.org or they can visit us How appropriate, then, that these
happens to them that is different. if they make an appointment. We don’t writings should appear in The Magic
encourage people to come on tours, we Circular, whose readers include those
h And who knows ... maybe in the don’t have the staff and the time for such who have a deep knowledge of magic
future, in the same way we get to do art, things, but if people need to do research and its history.
music and drama in school, magic will be they just need to tell us what they need to Eddie Dawes’s gift to us, and to all
able to fit in as well. see in advance and we will set up a time of magic, has been to open the doors
k I think it’s a distinct possibility. Music is for them to visit. of that Rich Cabinet to allow us a
very important but you can do music by glimpse inside each month for 400
yourself. Magic generally needs a little h Finally, if you had to sum up CARC’s columns. Everyone involved in magic
more interaction and encourages a whole goals in one sentence, what would you owes a huge debt of gratitude to
new skill-set that people can benefit from. say? Eddie Dawes for his research, writing
k The overall goal is to raise the general and collecting, which represents a
h How about the concern that doing this public’s level of awareness and respect for wealth of knowledge filling the Rich
kind of thing would create too many magic. We want magic to be taken more Cabinet of Magic. Thank you, Eddie.
magicians? Presumably, in the same way seriously and if we do things in a high Long may the Rich Cabinet continue
that millions of kids learn basketball in quality way, I think that will happen. in the pages of The Circular.

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 79

 Edwin A. Dawes

400. DOUGLAS CRAGGS: MAGICIAN, VENTRILOQUIST AND MAGIC CIRCLE STALWART. PART 2
support him. Then in June he was on the bill of the Grand Séance
with some fresh dialogue in which Joey detailed his troubles and
Grandpa sang about ‘Devonshire Cream and Cider’.
Douglas Craggs was called to the degree of MIMC on 3 June
1930 and the following year he presented one of his ventriloquial
sketches at the Royal Albert Hall in London before an audience of
8,000, amplifiers being used successfully. For good measure he
played a return date at the Central Hall in Southampton that
same evening. And it was the Associated Wizards of the South of
Southampton who suggested that Craggs should represent The
Circle at their Annual Dinner in March 1931, to which the
Council readily agreed. It is in a report of this function that we
capture the first glimpse of Craggs’s magic for he augmented the
mandatory ventriloquial sketch with “a series of magical
problems,” which included the cut and restored rope,
T.H. Chislett and his wife with Spirit Paintings sympathetic silks and “a very clever ace trick”.
For his act at the 1931 Annual Banquet held at the Park Lane
t The Magic Circle’s AGM, on 26 July 1928, Douglas Hotel, Douglas introduced a novel finale which H.B. Denham

A Craggs was elected to the Council, a position he was to

hold for many years to come and through which he would
bring many valuable contributions to the Society’s affairs.
recorded in the following enthusiastic report: “We have seen
ventriloquial figures smoke, walk, and even inflate a toy balloon,
but we have never seen a figure play a banjo; but this is what
For the Opening Social of the 1928-29 season Craggs had ‘Joey’ actually did. A banjo was placed in the hands of the doll,
introduced a new ventriloquial figure to join Joey, in the person and the right hand plucked the strings in the approved manner,
of an old man, Jarge, with a defective memory. The dialogue whilst a melody emanated from the instrument. This conception
between the two figures was reported to be excellent and the is the invention of Mr Craggs, and we understand it was the first
song “You along o’ me and Oi along o’ you” was an effective time it had been demonstrated.”
finale. He was ‘on’ again at the Annual Banquet in November It was on 3 February 1931 that Douglas’s youngest brother,
1928 with Joey and Jarge, the former repeating the alphabet under the name of Paul Clive, was elected to membership of The
with some tongue twisters added for good measure. Magic Circle, at which time he was living at 204 Byron Avenue,
Yet again he appeared at the Annual Banquet in 1929, Manor Park. He made his first appearance on a Circle stage at
featuring all the consonants and tongue twisters that are the April Social of the following year, not with magic nor with
regarded as too difficult to be convincing, with Joey singing a ventriloquism, but interestingly with some clever mimicry.
pathetic ballad and weeping copiously. And for a Special During 1931 Craggs became aware that William R. Minns, the
Request Night in June 1929 he introduced some fresh dialogue dedicated, long-serving Honorary Secretary of The Circle, was in
and new effects. somewhat straitened circumstances and promoted a
At the 1929 Affiliation of Magical Societies meeting, held at Complimentary Entertainment for him,
Anderton’s Hotel, Craggs represented the South African managing a subscription list that would
Magical Society as their London enable country members unable to attend
Representative, and in the competition the evening to contribute. The event
presented another ventriloquial scena occurred on 27 February 1932 at the
entitled Personalities, which involved Scottish Corporation Hall, off Fetter Lane,
some good humoured ‘hits’ at prominent and was a huge success, ensuring the
members of The Circle, mirthfully received. presentation of a substantial cheque
He also introduced a novel feature by together with an album of over two
having his figure blow up a children’s hundred signatures to Mr Minns. The
balloon to bursting point. glittering entertainment included the
Craggs’s performances were by this time magic of Cecil Lyle, Herbert J. Collings,
extending beyond the London area and he John Ramsay, Douglas Craggs (with
Magic Circle Archive

appeared in a Celebrity Concert at vent), the actor Naunton Wayne, J.F.

Southampton in March 1930 where he was Orrin, Graham Adams, Ralph Delvin,
delighted when many members of the the Zomahs, and Wilfrid Jonson.
Associated Wizards of the South turned up to Graham Adams had generously

80 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 Loopey, the Eighth Dwarf www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk
MIMC

donated the sole remaining copy (of the Annual Séance, while in the

Magic Circle Archive

only six) of his work Erdnase – His role of compere for a ‘Magic of
Book for auction during the the Nations’ evening at HQ he
evening. introduced the performers with a
For the Sheffield Magical Society’s series of ‘excruciating rhymes’.
Night of Magic in October 1932 Later in 1934, at a Circle Social,
Craggs was the official Circle he introduced a new ventriloquial
representative. He was the guest of figure – a loquacious postman
Mr and Mrs T.H. Chislett at whose who regaled members with tales
home, in the early hours of the of his prowess in the village
morning, he was able to experience football team. This presentation,
Chislett’s famous Séance, based on titled ‘The Postman’, which was
the David P. Abbott mysteries, and expanded to include the novelty
later described by Chislett in his Craggs’s Children’s Brochure of the figure itself giving a
book Spirits in the House (1949). Later in the day they motored ventriloquial sketch with a smaller doll, was a non-competitive
through Derbyshire, an outing he greatly enjoyed. act in the Affiliated Societies competition in 1935.
Douglas’s contribution to the Annual Grand Séance of 1933 For a more detailed description of this latter version of ‘The
took a rather different turn with ‘Crazy Ventriloquism’. He Postman’ we are indebted to Stanley Burns’s book Other Voices
introduced a life-size figure, Farmer Hayseed, who engaged in (2000). The figure was a walking one who sported a long, grey
clever repartee and sang Devonshire Cream and Cider, finally beard and the scene opened with this elderly Postman
advancing to the footlights and removing his whiskers to disclose entering, itself an amusing commentary on the slowness of the
the familiar features of Herbert J. Collings. mail. The Postman was due in court to answer a summons for
Later in that year Douglas found himself, at the last minute, in cracking his wife’s head with a frying pan and, concerned that
the unusual situation of having to follow his friend Arthur Prince the charge might cause him to lose his job, he asks Craggs to
in a show at the Grand Central Hall. During the ‘drinking’ routine intercede with his brother, the magistrate. Shocked at the very
with his naval figure, Jim, Prince had him say “We could have idea of tampering with the judicial system, Craggs refuses. The
done with that in Salonika”, referring to the time when he and Postman, now resigned to his fate, reasons that if he were
Craggs were together in World War I. When Craggs followed dismissed he could always earn his living as a ventriloquist,
with his old man figure in a new sketch, he paid tribute to what whereupon he reveals a dummy concealed in the mailbox ...
Arthur Prince had taught him. Craggs removes the small Craggs’s
Douglas Craggs had the honour of entertaining the Princess figure from the box and Letterhead 1934
Royal in 1933 and once again, he was called upon for the Annual hands it to the old man,
Banquet, this time with a golf caddie figure and appropriate witty doing all three voices,
dialogue. has the Postman
Through the meetings of the Affiliated Societies Douglas met promise never to hit
and became a good friend of Dr H. Park Shackleton and was his wife again, and
often his guest at Bradford when appearing on the Yorkshire ends with them singing
Magical Club shows, where he was a great favourite and on the a currently popular song,
bill in 1933, ’34, ’35 and ’37. Hospitality was reciprocated by the Smiling Through.
Craggs at Orpington whenever Shackleton visited London. On It was around this time that Craggs received
one such occasion, after dining at Simpson’s in the Strand, they and accepted offers of engagements by leading London
crossed the road and noticed on the bill outside Romano’s Agencies, including Harrod’s, but declined three invitations to
Restaurant that a French conjurer was appearing in cabaret. So, appear in the U.S.A. And in 1937 when the Disney film Snow
Magic Circle Archive

they arranged to take a second meal to witness what proved to White and the Seven Dwarfs was enchanting the nation, his
be an excellent act. Harrod’s brochure for children’s engagements topically featured
The year 1934 was an important one for Craggs as not only ‘Loopey, the Eighth Dwarf’ (Disney had the copyright of the
did he move house from Wembley, Middlesex, to ‘Greenways’, others!). Loopey (made by D’Albert, a friend in the Yorkshire
Orpington in Kent, but he was honoured with another Royal Magical Club) featured in a novel sketch ‘At the Wishing Well’
engagement. For an hour and a quarter he entertained H.M. The and was conjured up out of a property well with gradations of
Queen, the Duchess of York and her daughters Princesses the distant voice until he emerged with full voice.
Elizabeth (the present Queen) and Margaret Rose with magic and Douglas had an amusing anecdote about one agent for
s

ventriloquism. And his ventriloquism was again in demand for whom he worked regarding the Soldier’s Prayerbook, the story

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 81

 and V2 rockets which rained down on the London area during
those years.
A rare glimpse of Craggs’s magic, so infrequently seen at Circle
based on a deck of cards. “I hope you don’t do that functions, is provided by Colin Donister’s report of his appearance
b–long-winded recitation about a soldier’s bible” said the agent, at ‘Midsummer Overture’ in 1941: “What a treat it was to watch
and Douglas was able to reassure him that he didn’t! Douglas Craggs stretch a piece of rope. Production of a lighted
Douglas Craggs took on a new role in 1936 as the Organiser of pipe followed. He then borrowed a ten-shilling note which was
the Annual Grand Séance and made the bold decision to present initialled, placed in a pistol and handed to a spectator. A
the show at the Scala Theatre, the largest venue in the Circle’s borrowed cigarette was placed between the performer’s lips and
history, and to attract a larger audience than hitherto. This lit after much by-play with the striking of matches. The initialled
proposal was not without its critics, who predicted financial note was then extracted from the cigarette. A pack of cards with
disaster, but so sure was Douglas of his planning that he offered a hole through the centre was produced and one card was
personally to indemnify any shortfall. Not only was it a sell-out selected; this card became threaded on a ribbon held by a couple
but was acclaimed “one of the best all-round shows” of ‘spotsmen’. It is seldom that we are given the pleasure of
ever seen at these functions. Further, it was featured on BBC witnessing a magical entertainment by Mr Craggs and we hope
Radio in a broadcast from the Scala prior to the entertainment we shall soon see some more from this gentleman, such was our
when both the President and Douglas spoke about The Magic pleasure. He concluded his performance with a ventriloquial item,
Circle. It also marked the first link of the Circle with the Scala, utilising a small head on top of a stick and one clipped to his
which later in the post-World War II years was to become a long jacket pocket.”
association ended only by the theatre’s closure for demolition in It was just prior to Christmas 1941 that Douglas’s mother,
1969. Imogene Frances, died at the age of 76 and the Council’s
Craggs was appointed Chairman of the seven-member condolences were extended to him in his loss.
committee elected to adjudicate on the newly established award A very popular BBC Radio programme which started in January
of Silver and Gold Stars to Members in recognition of their 1941 was ‘The Brains Trust’ in which, initially, a panel of three
performing ability, and in the belief this might be of interest to experts answered questions, a mix of the erudite and amusing,
other Societies, he contributed an article on Decorations for submitted by listeners. The original panel comprised Dr Julian
Magicians to The Magic Wand in 1937. In October, Craggs was Huxley (biologist), Dr C.E.M. Joad (philosopher) and Commander
The Circle’s competitor in the Affiliation’s Night of Magic contest A.B. Campbell (R.N. retired). Thus in March 1942 The Circle took
in Sheffield. There were seven acts and he won the Shield with a up the idea and Craggs was one of a team of eight members
magic act that included two rope effects, a card trick in which a serving on a panel of experts for The Circle’s first Magical Brains
freely-chosen card became threaded on a ribbon held by two Trust, run along the lines of the Radio programme.
spectators, and the card sword worked in conjunction with a Douglas was on the bill for the 1943 Grand Festival of Magic
gramophone record and the orchestra leader. He also received a (this more suitable title had now superseded the Grand Séance)
suitably inscribed dress watch. opening with magic, rope stretching, treasury note in cigarette
Les Levante and Douglas Craggs were at the first Night of and card sword to gramophone instructions, followed by his
Magic held at the Press Club in January 1938, an evening customary ventriloquial episode. Later that year
honouring Louis Gautier, and they performed together Craggs gave a Monday night talk on
with a scintillating line-up that included Ventriloquism during which he noted that
Cardini, Cecil Lyle, Jasper Maskelyne, Horace ventriloquism was an interesting and
Goldin, Claude Chandler and Ralph Delvin. remunerative art but maintained that success
The year 1939, besides bringing the came only to those who attained technical
outbreak of the Second World War, witnessed perfection and had a true sense of theatre
the centenary of the births of two of magic’s values. He stressed that it was as important to
luminaries, John Nevil Maskelyne and Professor know what to avoid as to know what to do.
Hoffmann (Angelo J. Lewis), an anniversary that After offering numerous tips and advice,
The Circle commemorated on 3 February 1940 Craggs then reviewed the progress of
at their new HQ, St Ermin’s Hotel, with an ventriloquism during the past forty years,
Exhibition and Entertainment. For this occasion from the six or seven figure act to Fred
Craggs forsook his usual style of presentation and Russell who was the first to introduce the
re-created a performance he had seen as a single figure act, and then on to Arthur
schoolboy, the Talking Hand. It was reported that, Prince with his elaborate nautical stage
as ever, he was superb in his technique and the setting and boy figure, Jim James, later
dialogue was thoroughly enjoyable. And he known as Sailor Jim, and Claude
repeated this performance, prefaced by some l C lu b Chandler who had created a novel
Magica
magic, when members of The Circle entertained o n Y o rkshire setting exploiting the surprise element
Craggs
David Devant at the Royal Hospital for Incurables o w 1 9 34 to the limit. He concluded by mentioning
Sh
in Putney on the occasion of Devant’s birthday on some of his own novelties such as cross-talk between a
22 February 1940. gramophone record and the figure, a boy figure which did
Douglas Craggs was elected Honorary Secretary of The Circle ventriloquism with a smaller figure, and a banjo-playing figure.
at the AGM on 19 July 1940 to start five years of sustained And at the 1943 AGM he was able to announce that over a
effort in the face of innumerable difficulties imposed by hundred new members had joined in the previous year.
wartime restrictions and the aerial bombing, V1 flying bombs (To be continued)

82 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

 Tim Reed AIMC

MORE HOLLYWOOD MAGIC

During his time in Japan he becomes attached to a little orphan
boy”. Although there are some promotional posters and lobby
cards, images of Lewis as the magician are uncommon. I
decided to send an original poster to him which came back
boldly signed: the gamble paid off.
Dick Cavett, the respected talk show host who has
interviewed all the big stars, hosted a magic television special
called It’s Magic (which you can still get on VHS and Laserdisc).
The special featured Harry Blackstone Jr., Siegfried & Roy, Mark
Wilson, The Great Tomsoni and Slydini. I was glad to add the
press photos from this show to my collection, one of which
was signed by Cavett.
Chester Morris (1901-1970) was a movie star, most noted for
the Boston Blackie films. He was a keen amateur magician and
in 1947, for a promotional campaign, took part in an exposé of
tricks called There’s Magic Up Your Sleeve in Popular Mechanics
HBO’s Abracadabra host Dick Cavett and as a magic prodigy at 13 magazine. The piece proved to be extremely controversial,
n this instalment, I will concentrate on movie memorabilia dividing the magic community, and there was extensive

I with a magical theme. A huge topic, but here are a few of

my favourite examples.
coverage in The Conjurors Magazine. In the December 1947
issue, responding to increasing criticism, Morris stated “I

s
In 2007, the British film, Magicians was released starring the certainly would not hurt magic in any way and I want to repeat
popular comedy duo David Mitchell and Robert Webb who as
“A pair of rival stage magicians are forced to confront their
falling out over a guillotine mishap when they compete in a
magic competition”. I was pleased when I sent the DVD sleeve,
from the film, to the management of Mitchell & Webb and it
came back signed.
When we think of comedy and magic, it is not too long
before the legend that was Carl Ballantine (1917-2009) comes
to mind. Recently I obtained a lobby card from the McHale’s
Navy film (a spin-off from the popular TV series), in which he
appeared. Although I was too late to get the photo signed by
Ballantine, I decided to send it to Ernest Borgnine, the star of
the film, whose work I enjoyed in The Poseidon Adventure.
Again, a nice souvenir of a respected actor.
A while ago I bought a promotional playbill for the
Hollywood Palace show (1964-1970). This was a successful,
long-running American television extravaganza, show-casing
just about every star at that time, including many magicians
and variety performers. The first one I bought was signed by
Joan Crawford and, further down the bill, Ralph Adams, noted
for his Dancing Hanks routine. So when another similar playbill,
from another show, came up for sale, featuring magic, I was
particularly keen. Although not signed, it starred Jane Powell,
and the German magician Gerd Maron. My research on Powell
indicated she was still alive and, when approached, very
accommodating with autographs. I sent the playbill, a vintage
postcard, and both were duly returned, signed to me.
The American comedian, Jerry Lewis, appeared in the 1958
film The Geisha Boy as Gilbert Wooley “ ... a second-rate
magician who is sent to entertain the troops in the pacific.

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 83

 again that I hope my Popular Mechanics article did
plant a seed from which the great magicians of
tomorrow will grow”. The Ethics
Committees of the SAM and IBM
were involved. The actor was
apologetic but a decision was
made to suspend him for six
months. Monday 9 January 2012
After an investigation, the SAM Tribute to Terry Seabrooke MIMC
(Assembly 22) concluded: “In this Reported by Geoffrey Shisler
instance the act was not one of In the presence of family, and very many
willful disregard of the interests of friends, a fulsome and appropriate
the membership; rather it was a tribute was paid to Terry Seabrooke ...
hasty, ill-advised and thoughtless the self-styled ‘Four-eyed Lunatic.’ It
Jerry Lewis, in the 1958 film act”. In the December 1959 issue consisted of anecdotes about Terry, film
The Geisha Boy of The Linking Ring Robert Parrish clips of him performing and tricks
stated Morris had said: “It’s a funny thing, I got kicked performed (as far as I could make out)
out of the IBM because an article In Popular Mechanics just for the fun of it! The evening was
appeared under my name. I didn’t even know anything put together by Tim Shoesmith who
Terry Seabrooke told us that the reason Terry was unable
about the article until the publicity department sent
me down to pose for some to be present was because, as they now say at The Magic Castle:
pictures. It was supposed to be “He is unavailable at the moment!” He then introduced the
good for me and it should excellent master of ceremonies for the evening, Steve Evans.
have been good for magic. The tribute began with a clip of Terry performing his version
Since then I’ve shied away of the Double Wrist Chopper. After the video, Steve gave a
from societies.” brief introduction to Terry’s start in magic: Having begun his
In my collection I have a working life in banking and insurance, Billy McComb
few things relating to encouraged his interest in magic. In 1974, Terry took the
Chester Morris and magic, plunge and became a full-time professional entertainer, a
including letters to dealer
Phil Thomas, and a
Columbia Pictures promo Monday 16 January 2012
of Morris on stage Tom Au
Half Life 2.0 – Richard Pinner MIMC
burn in Reported by Hugh Nightingale
surrounded by magic 1939
equipment for Boston Blackie and the Law The curtains opened to Richard
(1946). My favourite is a stunning black and white 10 announcing, not a death, but a
by 8 photo, signed and inscribed to Canadian magic murder! The murder of Dr. Black.
collector Tom Auburn in 1939. It really does epitomise Richard, smartly suited, stood before a
the Golden era of Hollywood and it oozes star quality line of six chairs and read out the
from a man who was a passionate magic ambassador. details and a list of possible suspects.
Happy collecting. A volunteer, Richard’s prime suspect,
was called to the stage protesting his
innocence. Five others were added to
the line-up, each standing behind a
randomly chosen chair onto which
envelopes detailing the murder Richard Pinner
weapon and scene of crime were placed. Despite the suspects
changing places many times, everything finally matched
detective Richard’s written prediction. No one had a ‘Cluedo’
how he had ‘dunnit’. This was a beautifully crafted
presentation for a chair test with some devious Pinner touches.
Casino Melts was an early trick of Richard’s, now improved
using his RPMS – Reverse Practical Multiple Selection – move
and a Steve Beam gag. (Note to self: dig my copy of ‘Casino
Melts’ out of the drawer and work it again.)
Richard’s next trick involved everyone in the audience. We
each thought of a simple design of one colour inside another
design of a different colour and then stood up. A spectator
Ernest Borgnine, in the was chosen to announce the colours and shapes of his own
film McHale’s Navy

84 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

Mandy Davis MIMC Convenor of Reports
Photographed by John Ward MMC

position he maintained for the rest of his life. During this time he
made three Royal appearances, had two television series and
made more than one hundred other appearances on television.
John Wade, making his first appearance on stage for three
years, told us, among other things, how Terry created mayhem
wherever he went! We were then treated to a clip of Terry
performing his inimitable version of the Slydini Torn and Restored
Newspaper.
Max Somerset performed next, divining a country, selected by
a member of the audience, by managing to sing his way through
a list of almost every country in the
world ... with the exception of the one Mark Shortland Alan Shaxon Max Somerset
that had been chosen! Perhaps the his personal reminiscences of Terry, performed some of the
greatest trick here was how he effects for which he has become well-known: Aerial Fishing,
remembers them all. the Human Gasometer and the Hydrostatic Glass.
The manic Mark Shortland, fresh from The evening concluded with a
his success in The Magic Circle montage of photographs of Terry, put
Christmas Show, then performed a together by Bob Hamilton, and a
bullet catch using foam discs. No one well-deserved round of applause to all
sleeps when Mark’s on! concerned.
The final performer was Alan Shaxon [The Hands On Pre-Show in The Devant
Tim Shoesmith who, as well as regaling us with some of Barry Cooper Room featured Barry Cooper]

choice, one at a time. If your own thoughts didn’t match, you sat Monday 23 January 2012
down. At the end, only the originally chosen spectator was left The Magic Circle Auction
standing. When Richard turned over his prediction it matched The annual Magic Circle Auction was a fast-paced affair,
precisely. Some pre-show work was required – but the chosen with over 100 lots sold in the course of the evening. We
spectator would have been none the wiser as to the method. don’t have a review of the evening as there is not much
Anni-lite was a streamlined handling of Doc Eason’s more to say than “people bought stuff” but we do have a
Anniversary Waltz. Fast and direct with just as big an impact, I picture. Thanks to James Freedman, Richard Pinner, Mandy
personally love the original and will definitely give this handling a Davis, Alexander Crawford, Stephen Kennard, Clive Hyams
try. I particularly liked Richard’s idea for placing the give-away and Ozzie Dee for their work on the night.
card in a frame. Nice thought and good marketing.
Richard next officially launched his new PET effect (Plastic
Envelope Thing!) This is his update on the Card to Wallet, using
no wallet, which makes it ideal for performing with no jacket.
Richard demonstrated this within a John van der Put routine. A
sharpie penetrated a signed £20 note which turned into a
voucher for a card trick. The card vanished so Richard removed a
small plastic envelope/case from his pocket. This contained a
sealed red envelope which, when torn open, was shown to
contain the original note and card. Over the last year or so
Richard has shown me this idea at various points in its evolution
so it is great to see the finished product, which I’m sure will prove
a success. Richard also suggested asking Rajan to see his
Photo: Gordon Drayson

handling for loading a palmed card into the trouser pocket. I did
and, if you can, you should.
Richard concluded with a quick demonstration of his floating
ring effect.
It’s always a pleasure to watch Richard lecture or perform and The Auction Lots
this evening was no exception.

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 85

 Ian Rowland MIMC

UNMYSTERIOUS ISLAND
Big Train was a deliciously surreal BBC sketch show that last
aired in 2002. You can find many clips from the show on
YouTube, but be careful: they are highly addictive. Watch one
clip and you’re likely to spend hours watching all the others.
A particularly unkind but funny sketch features one of the
cast portraying famed Beatles producer Sir George Martin. The
sketch is based on the notion that Sir George can’t talk about
anything except working with the Fab Four and that he never
stops doing so – even when asked about something else
entirely.
I mention this because I’ve developed a similar problem and I
feel it’s only fair to warn you all. The problem has arisen
because I recently visited Easter Island. It was such an amazing
experience that I expect to be talking about it non-stop for
quite some time, and to the exclusion of all else. Only the other
day my Significant Other asked me if I’d like a cup of tea and I
gave her a brief lecture on the three volcanic eruptions that
formed Easter Island and the role the volcanic craters came to
play in the Island’s culture. She has taken to throwing things at
me in return. Sometimes a cushion, sometimes a well-aimed
tranquilliser dart.
If you’ve no idea what I’m talking about, let me sketch in a
little background. Easter Island is 64 square miles of mostly
Another action-packed Magic Circle Committee meeting
barren volcanic rock in the Pacific Ocean. It is said to be the
most remote inhabited island in the world. The only way to Island) staring at some giant stone heads. I’ve put some photos
reach it is to go to Santiago and then sit on a plane headed on Facebook if you’re interested.
West for about five and a half hours. There’s one flight in and My decision to visit Easter Island at Christmas has so far
out per day, which suggests Air Traffic Control on the Island inspired about 73 people I know to make the exact same joke:
isn’t the most demanding of jobs. ‘What’s next… visiting Christmas Island at Easter? Ha ha!’ I am
The Island is famous for one reason: it features 850 ancient, not a violent man, but the next person who says this will get a
giant stone statues of rather strange-looking heads that are sharp slap, and quite rightly.
unique on the face of the Earth. These massive statues are
called ‘Moai’ and even the smallest of them weighs several The Empty Box
tons. Scores of books, documentaries and websites have What has all this got to do with magic and mentalism? There is
suggested that there is something very mysterious about Easter actually an interesting parallel. One of my favourite sayings about
Island in general and the Moai in particular. Why were these magic is that ‘magicians guard an empty box’. In other words,
strange statues carved? What do they signify? How were they laymen think we are secretive because our methods are terribly
carved from solid rock by ancient people with no access to gosh-darned ingenious and exciting. In fact, our methods are
metal tools or modern methods? How were these massive mostly very dull and pedestrian. Our job, as magicians, is to use
statues transported miles across rough, uneven land from the our presentational, dramatic and technical skills to hide this
inland quarries to their locations around the coast? mundane reality, which has no entertainment value at all, and to
I’ve been reading about these ‘mysteries’ since my early create the illusion that something wondrous, magical and
teens. When I first read Thor Heyerdahl’s book on the subject exciting is going on.
my first reaction was, “Wow… there’s actually a real person Something similar has happened with Easter Island. For
called Thor”. My second was, “I’d like to visit that place one decades, writers who know there’s money to be made from
day”. So the Island got added to my ‘bucket list’ of places to ‘ancient mysteries’ have cranked out numerous fables about the
see before I fulfil my richly deserved destiny as worm food. place and shifted a few paperbacks in the process. The Island has
When I finally got around to planning this trip last year I also been a gift to documentary makers. Get a shot of several
scheduled things so I’d be on Easter Island on Christmas Day. Moai at sunrise, with some ‘New Age’ music slapped on top and
Why? Because it’s funnier, that’s why. Everything went a whispery voice-over about ‘lost secrets of the ancients’, and
according to plan, and I spent Christmas morning looking out you’ve got yourself a documentary that will play well on any
across the ocean near Haranga Roa (the only town on the reasonably high-numbered cable channel. This ongoing whirr of

86 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

the dollar-driven myth machine is absolutely fine for profits and permission to share here. It’s hilarious because it’s so accurate.
fun. There’s only one small snag: it has nil plus nothing to do He pointed out that if you ever see a magician or mentalist
with reality. Truth be told, Easter Island is home to about as many use the word ‘merely’, it’s a fairly reliable indicator that you are
ancient mysteries as Milton Keynes. watching a really poor magician or mentalist. He is referring to
The Rapa Nui (native Islanders) are quietly bemused by the the sort of patter that goes, “Now remember, earlier on you
notion that there’s anything mysterious about the Moai or any merely thought of one card ...”, or, “Please note that I am
other aspects of their culture. They have straightforward, merely stroking the spoon ...” Lee says he cottoned on to this a
mundane answers to all the questions people ask, and they few years ago, and has yet to come across an exception to this
consider all the writers who gush about ‘ancient mysteries’ to be, rule. As I said, this is Lee’s observation, not mine. I am merely
in a word, nuts. passing it on.
I can’t do justice to the subject in the space I have here, but let
me just touch on a few basic truths. To start with, many people QUICK TRICK
think the Moai date from pre-historic times (like Stonehenge). In Consider this little miracle.
fact they were created between 800 and 1650 AD, so some of You have just met someone quite nice at a party. You take
them were being hacked out of the rock when Isaac Newton was out your business card and hold it face up in your hand. You
a lad. Who do they represent? They represent tribal chiefs who ask her what her star sign is. She says: “Aries”. You ask her if
died, and they were erected over the chiefs’ burial chambers, just you could possibly have known this in advance. Assuming you
like some people put up statues in cemeteries. How were they really have only just met, she will agree there’s no way you
made? Each one involved about two years of carving with stone could have known. You give her your card and invite her to
tools, and the process is very well-documented. Why? Because read what it says on the back. Printed on the back she sees the
they had no other tools or materials. But why bother at all? They message, ‘I just knew you had to be an Aries’.
don’t know who made the first one, but after that it just became Here’s the method. You have the Aries prediction message
a tradition and it seemed like a good idea at the time. The Moai on the back of your business card and you ask her star sign. If
were quite small at first, but then each Chief, commissioning his she says Aries, you have a miracle on your hands. If she says
own Moai before he died, wanted his to be bigger than the anything else, you point to whatever your business card says is
previous ones – hence the gradual increase in size. How were your job title, e.g. mind-reader, and say “... and it’s my job to
they moved? With what they had: platforms made of wood and know what your sign says about you”. Then you put your card
natural fibres, ropes and lots of sweaty guys pulling hard. Of away (it’s not important any more) and give her a short reading
course there are many more details that one can go into, but apparently based on her star sign. She never knows that the
those are the basics. ‘trick’ went wrong. She never knows there was a trick at all.
Let me be clear: discovering the relatively mundane facts These is just one example of a wonderful principle that
behind the so-called ‘mysteries’ of Easter Island didn’t diminish doesn’t seem to have a commonly agreed name. I call it the
the trip for me one iota. Even stripped of all the ‘mystery’ MOL principle, which stands for ‘Miracle or Lecture’. If you get
claptrap, it’s still a unique place with a fascinating history, and the lucky, it’s an inexplicable miracle, and if you don’t, then the
Moai look amazing even if they are not, actually, inspired by alien spectator doesn’t get a trick at all, she gets a brief lecture (or
visitors. reading) about herself, her personality, her aptitudes and so on.
It’s a little different in the world of magic, of course. No There are many possible variations. All you need are (a) a
mystery means no magic. But my trip did make me reflect on the finite set of choices you can offer (e.g. star sign, favourite
real nature of what we magicians do. We aren’t just trying to colour); (b) a common object you carry with you bearing a
entertain people with a trick and hope they can’t spot how it’s concealed prediction message; (c) a reason to refer to, and
done. We are also protecting muggles from the dull, pedestrian then put away, the object if the prediction isn’t needed.
reality of how we do what we do. By protecting them It costs you nothing to try this out. When it does hit you
successfully, we are allowing them to experience things that seem have an inexplicable miracle, and if not, it simply doesn’t
extraordinary, amazing and enchanting. Only we can do this. matter.
Only we can bring magic and wonder into the world. It’s
important that we do it well. Otherwise, the world would be Invitation
about as magical as ... well, a piece of rock. If you have items, stories, jokes or vicious rumours of
interest to mentalists, please drop me a line
Mere Lee ([email protected]). If you can’t afford Derren and
Lee Warren is one of the country’s finest close-up performers and want to hire a fairly good also-ran mentalist, or you just
also runs a very successful corporate training company. He have time to kill, please visit www.ianrowland.com.
recently shared with me a small observation that he’s given me

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 87

 Empty
by Marcus Eddie
Gaffed card box with instructional DVD. $35 (£23) plus p&p
from your favourite dealer. Dealers contact Murphy’s Magic
Supplies, www.MurphysMagic.com.

Reviewed by Will Houstoun

Empty is a very clever gaffed card box
that allows you to produce a regular
deck of cards. In performance, you
remove a card box from your pocket
and show the inside clearly empty.
You then close the box and shake it,
as you do so a rattling sound is heard
from inside. When you then open the
box again a regular deck of cards is found inside.
This basic sequence looks very open and there are several
occasions where the gaffed box allows you to show that you
are not hiding anything (apparently) that you shouldn’t be. As
the pack itself is normal, Empty will allow you to produce any
other item that you can fit into a card box. In addition, Empty
will allow you to switch one item for another. It could not be
used to switch one deck for another but you could certainly
have a spectator put a folded piece of paper or a banknote
into the box and secretly switch it for another.
So far so good, but there are a few issues with Empty that
you should be aware of. Firstly, whilst Empty does use a gaffed
box, it will need some work to get the handling right as well as
an awareness of the angles in performance. That is not to say
that a huge amount of practice is needed or that the trick has
terrible angles, but just because this is a cleverly gaffed box
does not mean that you will not need to put any work in.
Secondly, the gaffed box involves some folding in its action and
is made from the same card stock as a regular card box. That
means that the box will probably wear out in the same way a
regular box does, so if you are planning on using this regularly,
and especially if you don’t take some care with it, expect to
have to replace it after some use.
As well as the gaffed box you will also receive an
instructional DVD with Empty. This clearly teaches you the basic
handling of the gaff as well as providing a selection of
additional ideas, tips on the handling and advice on how to
look after the gaff. The DVD is well shot and it would be
difficult not to learn what you need to from it.
In conclusion, when you look at a gaffed box like this, it
seems worth comparing what it will allow you to do compared
to other methods such as a switch of two boxes. Empty will let
you do some things you couldn’t do another way, but at the
same time it does have some weaknesses too. It may not be
the be all and end all of gaffed boxes, but if you like clever
gaffs, or the plot of producing a deck from an empty box, then
Empty is well worth a look.

88 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

Erdnase Unmasked The effects range in difficulty from some
Edited by David Ben which are completely self-working to others
80 pgs, 8.5 x 5.5 ins., soft bound, illustrated. $35.00 (£23) plus requiring intermediate sleights. There are
p&p from your favourite dealer. Dealers contact Murphy’s Magic certainly gems to be found. Larry Jennings’s
Supplies, www.MurphysMagic.com. previously unpublished Countback Aces
precedes an excellent alternative handling
Reviewed by Will Houstoun from Gordon Bean. The routine is a
This could have been the shortest review in the history of The self-working ace location in which the deck
Magic Circular. All that needs to be said is: If you are interested in remains completely out of your hands and it is very fooling!
who Erdnase was then you will want this book, and if you do not Crimp Hideout allows you to show every corner of the deck
care who Erdnase was, then you will not. Having presumably had whilst a crimp is in place thanks to a clever sleight called
many readers skip to the next review let me tell you a little about Rotator which is published here for the first time. Reversal
the book itself. Tutorial, again incorporating the Rotator sleight, is a visually
Erdnase Unmasked contains six articles culled from the pages satisfying effect for a deck with an obvious one-way back
of Magicol, the Magic Collectors’ Association journal. All deal design. Pocket Calculator, a maths themed routine, ends with a
with The Expert at The Card Table and the book’s authorship and production of a calculator from between two playing cards.
they have been written by experts such as Richard Hatch, Hurt To try everything in Evolution you’ll need a handful of Tally
McDermott, Jason England, Martin Gardner and David Ben. The Ho Jokers, some decks with a one-way back design and a slim
articles discuss subjects such as potential candidates for Erdnase, calculator – as well as your own favourite brand of playing
a profile for Erdnase based on the material he explained, why The cards. A good knowledge of basic and intermediate sleights is
Expert at The Card Table was published in Chicago as well as a required although some technical moves, like the tricky Stewart
look at the different editions of the book and related products. Gordon double turnover, are described. Evolution is incredibly
A highlight of the book is David Ben’s profile of Erdnase and well credited throughout and is also illustrated with clear
Richard Hatch’s analysis of Erdnase candidate Edwin S. Andrews. photographs. It is an interesting read and, at just under £13,
Both articles deal with the authorship of The Expert at The Card isn’t going to break the bank. Evolution is well worth further
Table but they come at it from totally different perspectives and it investigation and will most likely inspire you to start playing
is fascinating to see how they intersect. For those interested in a around with some of the ideas it contains.
slightly broader historical context Hurt McDermott’s article will be
of interest. It discusses the way in which Chicago’s politics at the Go Do: A short book on Productivity
turn of the twentieth century, particularly relating to the and Motivation.
Comstock Law, would have made it the perfect setting for the by Steve Faulkner
publication of The Expert at The Card Table. 56 pgs, PDF. £5. 0.5 MB Download from
The book itself is soft bound but has still www.stevefaulkner.com
been nicely produced. It features a selection of
photographs and illustrations throughout and Reviewed by Sav
has been wonderfully designed by Michael This PDF booklet has been put together by professional
Albright. Erdnase Unmasked is a limited edition magician Steve Faulkner. In it he outlines his model of how to
of 500 copies. motivate oneself within the aforementioned job description.
If you have read this far, you probably love As a professional magician myself, I found myself frequently
Erdnase and if you love Erdnase, you already know that you want smiling and nodding along in agreement to his musings and
this book. When you get it I don’t think you will be disappointed. advice as I read through the PDF. One section that pops into
mind was the topic of making and prioritising lists. I found
Evolution myself agreeing with what Steve said, saying to myself: “Yeah
by Bill Goodwin me too!” Other chapters again caused me to raise a wry grin
68 pgs, PDF, illustrated. $19.95 (£13) 5 MB Download from of agreement.
billgoodwinmagic.com There are many tips on subjects including
establishing goals, motivating yourself,
Reviewed by Brendan Patricks planning and other Go Do Principles such
From Bill Goodwin, creator of the fantastic magazine Penumbra, as, overcoming tiredness, forming positive
comes Evolution: a PDF download. The book contains sixteen habits and prevailing over the fear of failure.
items with playing cards and features contributions from names With the luxury of my new iPad I really
such as Larry Jennings, Gordon Bean and Helder Guimarães. enjoyed reading Go Do whilst sat on the

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 89

90 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk
 very nice. In performance, one of your hands is shown palm up
s

and clearly empty. Suddenly, with a wave of the other hand, four
coins appear resting on it. The hand waves over the top again
train getting home from a gig. Thus managing to kill two birds and one of the coins disappears. With three more waves every
with one stone ... again one of the chapters covered. My only coin is gone. Finally the coins reappear, one by one, in a similarly
criticism of the booklet is that it doesn’t contain any pictures, magical way. No written description will ever show you what the
diagrams or any other visual stimulus to illustrate the various routine really looks like, so go to YouTube and search for “The
points which are being made. Having said that Mr Faulkner has a Prodigy Alex Geiser” to see for yourself.
great way of writing with a storytelling style which manages to Despite everything it has going for it I doubt that many people
convey his Go Do philosophy clearly. will actually wind up using The Prodigy. For one thing the routine
In conclusion I’d recommend that any aspiring magician should is difficult. Even if you are already proficient in fairly advanced
purchase this PDF as it will steer you in the right direction. As an coin work it will take a lot of effort
existing professional it will, perhaps, cause you to re-assess your to make everything look smooth. By
own goals based on another performer’s ideology. Go Do yourself way of example the muscle pass is
a favour and buy this. Steve is a top performer and clearly knows used in the routine and there are
what he is talking about. probably half a dozen different
If you like Go Do you may well like Peter Wardell’s 52 Ideas moves of similar difficulty. But even
blog too (http://magicstateofmind.com/52ideas). Pete is another when you do get the routine perfect
ex-street performer, so it must be something in the melon juice it is something that is best shown to
than motivates them! just a few people at a time, with
them all looking down on your
The Prodigy hands. That is not to say there is anything wrong with the DVD or
by Alex Geiser the sequence, everything is well shot and clearly explained and
60 min. DVD. $30 (£20) plus p&p from your favourite dealer. the routine would look great in the right situation.
Dealers contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies, If you are the kind of person who enjoys practising difficult
www.MurphysMagic.com. coin magic without worrying about being able to use it in lots of
different situations The Prodigy will give you a project to work on
Reviewed by Will Houstoun for quite some time. If you prefer your magic to be more flexible
The Prodigy is billed as “The World’s most elegant coin routine.” in terms of performing environment, or are not prepared to put a
Whilst I am not sure it is the most elegant it certainly does look lot of practice in then it is probably not for you.

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 91

92 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk
 David Hatch MMC

After discussions with the new editor heart surgery at St. Thomas’ hospital. Tony Hanscombe MMC 6 Moyle Close,
of The Circular and with the webmaster, David Drummond MMC is having tests in Parkwood, Gillingham, Kent ME8 9QW
I have decided to keep Members more Greenwich hospital. Margaret MacLean Alan Snowden MIMC 5 Folkington
up to date with the latest welfare news AIMC, one of the first female members of Corner, Woodside Park, N12 7BH
on the welfare section of the website – The Circle and its Scottish representative, John Pye MIMC Lazy Acres, The Croft,
click on ‘Club Room’ to find it. I hope is suffering from a nasty attack of Back Lane, Grindleton, Clitheroe,
you will find this helpful. Shingles. Dennis Patten MIMC continues Lancs BB7 4RW
to have the occasional blackout, but Barry Miller MIMC 25 Lonsdale
I am sorry to have to report the death of hopefully the doctors are on his case. Crescent, Dartford, Kent DA2 6LQ
another member, Frank (Clyde) Paul Daniels MIMC injured his hand when David Drummond MMC 23 Vanbrugh
Clayton AIMC, on the Thursday before working with a circular saw. For a graphic Hill, Blackheath SE3 7UE
Christmas. Alan Tall MMC’s wife Patricia description of this horror story visit Paul’s Margaret MacLean AIMC 131
has also sadly died after a short illness. blog http://thelifeandtimesofpauldaniels. Muirdrum Avenue, Glasgow G52 3AW
Alan himself is virtually housebound and blogspot.com/ Dennis Patten MIMC 14 The Crest,
misses his Circle friends. We send our good wishes to all these Goffs Oak, Herts EN7 5NP
Tony Hanscombe MMC is recovering members and their families, and to others
from pneumonia and has been unable recently mentioned. If you hear of Members or their families
to introduce the Hands on Session who are sick or facing hard times please
recently. Alan Snowden MIMC is slowly It is always nice to report some good news. contact:
recovering after fracturing his arm Many congratulations and best wishes to David Hatch MMC (Welfare Officer)
before Christmas. Richard Pinner MIMC on his marriage to 6 Darnley Road, Woodford Green,
Our President, Jack Delvin MIMC, has Samantha Blakey on 28 January. We also Essex 1G8 9HU
made a good recovery from a serious offer our congratulations to Nigel T. 020 8504 4134.
bilateral pulmonary embolus and it has Mansell MMC on the award of his CBE in E. [email protected]
been great to see him back among us this year’s New Year honours. Chaplaincy:
on club nights and at other events. I am Revd Peter Liddelow AIMC
also very pleased to report that his wife Just a thought: “In prosperity our friends 23 Kings Road, Barnet, Herts, EN5 4EF
Rosemary is recovering well from her know us; in adversity we know our T. 020 8441 2968
heart attack in November. It was also friends.” Jay Leno E. [email protected]
good to see Bobby Bernard MIMC again Rabbi Geoffrey Shisler MMC
on a recent Monday night. Some contact addresses 10 St Petersburgh Place, Bayswater,
John Pye MIMC is making a good (see also the website): London W2 4LB
recovery after a quadruple cardiac Andy Clayton (son) 3 Drummond Road, T. 020 7229 6215
bypass operation and is looking forward Wanstead E11 2JS E. [email protected]
to becoming President of the IBM in the Alan Tall MMC Flat A, Sims House,
summer. Barry Miller MIMC is awaiting 420A Commercial Road, London E1 0LQ

THE MAGIC CIRCLE SHOWCASE SALES

l Magic Circle Umbrella. Navy blue with silver coloured MEMBERS ONLY *please state your Degree when ordering
handle and printed silver logo. Automatic opening. £14.95 l Button Badge* £3.95 l Jewel with or without Star* £13.50
l Magic Circle Playing Cards. Poker Size with black backs and l Cufflinks* £11.95 l Tie £14.95
gold coloured logo. £3.95 each or £6.95 for two
l Membership Certificate frames £26.95
l Magic Circle Key Ring. £1.95
l Souvenir Pocket Mirror. £2.95 These items can be purchased from the Showcase at The Magic Circle
l Postcards. Four styles depicting posters from The Circle Collection, Headquarters on a Club Night or can be sent by post to your address
namely Soo, Devant, Le Roy and Hertz. £0.50 each (P&P extra). Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) and cheques drawn on a
l The Magic Circle: Performing Magic Through the Ages. UK bank accepted (cheques payable to “CMA Ltd”).
Book by Michael Bailey. Hardback. 288 pages. £18.95
For more information
l Bob Read's Magical London Map. £2.95 Email [email protected]
l Inside The Magic Circle. Souvenir booklet. £1.95 or telephone 0207 387 2222
l Fridge Magnets. Four styles depicting posters from The Circle
Collection, namely Soo, Devant, Le Roy and Carter.
£2.95 each or £9.95 for four

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 93

Council minutes Diane O'Brien, the organisation
of these events might change so
report with one abstention (RF).

that the CMA is responsible for 6. CORRESPONDENCE

selling the tickets and the A letter of glowing
administration, whilst the TMC commendation was received
will arrange the performers. regarding the excellent charity
Filming and Photography at work done by member Jamie
TMC In response to a question Williams from Caerphilly.
from AE it was reported that
this policy has not yet been 7. CHRISTMAS SHOW 2011
published as NB is collating an RP gave a report in which it was
historic view, along with the noted that every performance
current policy. This is needed so of the show was a sell-out.
MINUTES OF THE MAGIC that matters of copyright are clear Initial returns indicate a profit of
CIRCLE COUNCIL MEETING to all those involved. MD said £19,000, a 37% increase on
HELD AT THE HEADQUARTERS that currently all enquiries and last year’s figure. Lessons had
ON 11 January 2012 6.30pm permissions for photographing been learnt for future
or filming on a Club Night go to application, among them, saving
PRESENT the Club Night Committee. It money by not over-staffing. A
Alexander CRAWFORD was agreed that there is a need full report will follow but, in the
(Treasurer) for a comparable policy interim, he particularly thanked
Mandy DAVIS covering MTMC events. Katherine Rhodes and Darren
Jack DELVIN ACTION: NB preparing policy Tossell who provided continual,
Kevin DOIG (Assistant Treasurer) document. AE will liaise with unstinting, support.
Andrew EBORN Noel on this before the February Although 80% of the
Matthew GARRETT 2012 Council Meeting. audiences were new visitors to
Will HOUSTOUN the Christmas Show, many had
Alan MASKELL 5.SECRETARY’S REPORT been to other shows mounted
Fay PRESTO (6.57pm) There were two reinstatements. at TMC, confirming a need to
Richard PINNER, (See attached schedule) avoid duplicating performers
Steve PRICE (StP) (Secretary) There were no resignations. between Winter Wizardry and
Katherine RHODES (6.43pm) There were five promotions (and The Christmas Show.
Brian SIBLEY (Chairman) a further four from the President) AE observed that the building
Roberto FORZONI A report from the Examinations rang with an audible buzz of
David WEEKS (Minute Secretary) Secretary, David Weeks and his excitement during the period.
Deputy, Matthew Garrett was RP reported that one child
1. APOLOGIES tabled and considered. loved, 'the man with too many
Noel BRITTEN, James FORTUNE The report recommends the cards' (Duncan Trillo)!
(J Fort), James FREEDMAN (JF) maintenance of the status quo FP noted that there was also a
with regard to admitting people buzz backstage between shows;
2. DEATHS to membership or promotion to and JD praised the technicians
Frank Clayton AIMC known as AIMC. Generally an application who were excellent as ever.
Clyde from Deal, Kent was needs to be made and an The Chair said this was a
remembered. A regular Monday examination taken. Council glowing testimonial to all those
night attendee for many years, retains its right to invite involved and noted that the
he was a previous participant in membership and make CMA had written to the team
TMC Close-Up competition. promotions outside of this expressing their gratitude.
Members of Council stood in routine but these circumstances Thanks were given to all those
silence as a mark of respect. are exceptional. MD stated that who contributed to the success
TMC is a 'Society of Secrets' it is of this event, endorsed by
3. MINUTES not a 'Secret Society' and if sustained applause.
On a proposal by Richard Pinner, someone wants to join TMC
seconded by Kevin Doig, the they can find us and apply. AM 8. FRIENDS OF THE MAGIC
minutes of the meeting held on reminded the meeting that, in CIRCLE (FOTMC)
6 December 2011 were, after discussions about higher There are currently 40 members:
amendment, approved. Those degrees, it should not be a figure that all felt needs to be
who did not attend the last forgotten that being MMC increased. Additionally, there are
meeting abstained. rightly carries its own, 10 VIP members.
considerable, kudos. JD asked Council to approve
4. MATTERS ARISING Proposed by Fay Presto and the formation of a FOTMC
MTMC RP reported that with Seconded by Kevin Doig, Council committee with himself as Chair
the forthcoming retirement of accepted and endorsed the and Aidan Heritage as secretary.

94 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk

Matthew Garrett volunteered to result, the Treasurer will now the library would search our Promoted to AIMC on
join this committee as well as allocate budgets. magazines for this information. 11 January 2012
offering to host a Magic It was noted that the policy of Dave Andrews
Circle/FOTMC stand at the 11. CMA Council is that persons who are with Silver Star
Blackpool convention and at Although no CMA report had invited to join committees are Walter Rolfo
FISM and transport the been received, it was noted that not published in the minutes with Silver Star
necessary items. their financial situation was until the acceptance by the Martyn Rowland
A database is being created improving. Cash figures are person has been ratified. with Silver Star
of societies who may be better than previously and, at Concluding the evening, the Jason Steele
potential visitors. present, the CMA is no longer Chair congratulated the new with Silver Star
AE suggested contacting the seeking a loan. Council MIMCs and, on Bob Yelland
parents of all the YMC The sales from the Showcase Council’s behalf, extended good
magicians with a view to have increased partly as a result wishes to Richard Pinner on his Promoted to MIMC
becoming FOTMC members. of the new boxes of tricks from forthcoming marriage. with Gold Star
RP said that 24 joint FOTMC Marvin’s Magic. Alexander Crawford
memberships had been given AE said CMA should be Date of Next Meeting: Kevin Doig
out at the Christmas Show by looking for a wider range of Thursday 2 February 2012 Clive Hyams
way of prizes. The next products to be available with a at 6.30pm Katherine Rhodes
print-run of TMC leaflets will list better visibility of the TMC logo
all the TMC shows and events on products. New members elected on Reinstatements on
as well as FOTMC. FP reminded Council that 11 January 2012 11 January 2012
Angelo Carbone is very keen to Rob James MMC Lee Thompson MMC
9. MAGICIANS' CHOICE create items for sale by TMC Craig Squires MMC Richard Field MMC
REPORT Sales Showcase.
WH presented his report on the To help raise TMC profile, RP
summer event that had, again, suggested producing gift-tag
proved very popular and reading, 'A Gift from The Magic
successful. A discussion about
the deliberate
Circle.' that could be fixed to
the Marvin’s Magic sets sold
Our Headquarters
non-announcement of speakers from TMC. Conventions
took place and suggestions ACTION: RP to discuss with
were made regarding alternative Darren Tossell – gift-tags.
arrangements that could be FP offered to donate her
Dress Code
made. AC thought the services as a performer as a Smart attire is required at all
committee should have more donation to CMA/TMC for any events in the Headquarters.
confidence in their immense corporate booking for the next
Mobile Phones
success and tell members in three months. Please ensure that you switch
advance who is taking part, off your mobile phone before
especially when we are 12. LIBRARY entering the Headquarters. If
you must make a phone call,
spending members’ subscription RF reported the budget please do so outside
money on booking speakers. requirements for digitising the the building.
Despite these caveats Council video held in the TMC Library.
were delighted at the success of ACTION: AC and RF to discuss Photography and
Sound Recording
the events. digitisation including budget,
The use of any form of
In answer to a question from priorities and copyright issues.
recording equipment, audio
RP, MD said that 'The Council or visual, including cameras
Entertains' evening had not yet 13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS and mobile phones, is not
been scheduled as it had been A short discussion about the permitted in any part of the
featured in last year’s calendar of future of 'FATL’ (Food After the Headquarters except by
events, but that the Club Night Lecture) suppers at TMC special arrangement.
Committee would re-consider it premises after a club night
Gum
for later in the year. event, took place with the Please refrain from chewing
possibility of a local restaurateur gum of any sort in the
10.BUDGETS FROM providing and delivering to Headquarters.
COMMITTEES order, meals at a very Smoking
The Treasurer stated that, apart reasonable price. Smoking is not allowed anywhere
from two groups, his request for ACTION: JD and FP to discuss. in the Headquarters.
We all benefit from these
budgets to be submitted by In answer to a question from conventions, so please respect and
Committees had either received KR about finding access to a list abide by them to avoid being turned
no response or budgets with of past winners of The Magic away. Thank you for your
understanding.
large figures lacking an Circle Close-Up Competition,
appropriate rationale. As a WH said that 'Ask Alexander' in

www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk MARCH 2012 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR 95

Forthcoming club events Looking Ahead to...
April 2012

Monday 2
TEACHING TIMING: THE MAGICIAN’S SECRET WEAPON –
Geoffrey Durham MIMC – Lecture
Magic is more entertaining, more engaging – and infinitely more
The Headquarters are open on Club Nights from 3:00pm until baffling – when it is properly timed. It is often said that timing
10:30pm. Unless otherwise stated, events start promptly at can’t be taught, but in his unique new lecture Geoffrey explains
7:30pm and are scheduled to finish between 8:45pm and 9pm. how you can discover the crucial moment to perform the move,
Club Nights are principally for Members, so entry is by Membership the gag or the revelation. Using classics of magic as his source
Card. A bona fide magician guest may attend any evening that is material, he demonstrates practical ways in which you can find
not marked ‘Members Only’ on condition that he or she is able to that elusive split second that transforms a simple trick into a
show membership of a magical society. A non-magician guest masterpiece.
may only attend evenings that are marked as ‘Show’. Guests may
only attend two evenings a year. No guest may attend unless the Monday 10
CMA is told in advance, so if you wish to bring a guest please do AN INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN MILLER – Brian Miller MIMC
not contact me but phone (020) 7387 2222. There is a limit of Noel Britten is delighted to present an in-depth talk with IBM
ten guests per night. All guests must pay a £15 entry fee at the British Ring President, Brian Miller, about his years in magic and
door and respect our Conventions. Indeed, it is your duty as their his future plans for the largest magic organisation in the world.
sponsor to ensure that they do. The Magic Circle reserve the right Brian’s award-winning dove act, with his wife Audrey, took him
to refuse entry. See our website for all the latest event details and around the world and he shares his experiences with us tonight.
to subscribe to a weekly email reminder of upcoming events.

March Change of address? Contact Secretary Steve Price,

Monday 5 [email protected]
“WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE ON MAGIC?” Member in need? Contact Welfare Officer David Hatch,
THE HOFFMANN MEMORIAL LECTURE – [email protected]
Raj Rattan MMC – Lecture
After a 56 year break, this evening sees the re-instatement of the
Hoffmann Memorial Lecture. Raj Rattan will present his award
winning paper on that most contentious of subjects – Exposure. The Magic Circle Library
We always view it as a bad thing but in a historical and artistic
context can it have any merit? MY FAVOURITE BOOKS
A series of occasional 30-minute talks to be given
Monday 12
by individual members of The Magic Circle about
DELVIN’S DISCOVERIES – Jack Delvin MIMC – Show
their favourite books on Magic.
This marks the welcome return of an old favourite. Several of our
members first came to the society’s notice through this event and
The next talk will be given by
some have gone on to successful careers; one of the most
well-known is none other than John Archer! The event combines ALEXANDER CRAWFORD
close-up with stage acts and the artistes will have very limited
experience performing so your friendly support would be on Monday 19 March 2012 at 6.15 pm in the Library.
welcomed. The show will be presented by Jack Delvin in his usual
laid-back style. Library: 020 7387 1533 [email protected]

Monday 19
AN EVENING OF WONDERPUT – John van der Put AIMC – Lecture
John van der Put returns to The Magic Circle with a selection of
brand new work. Part show, part lecture, part guest spots, part
finished, the only thing we can say for sure is that refreshments
will be provided. BREAKING NEWS: Due to unforeseen
circumstances, refreshments will no longer be provided!

Monday 26
THE MAGIC CIRCLE’S ANNUAL CLOSE-UP COMPETITION
You don’t want to miss an evening that regularly showcases
some of the best close-up magicians around. They are bound
to use their highest quality material as they compete for the
coveted title of Magic Circle Close-Up Magician of the
Year 2012, The Devano Trophy and a cash prize ... Put this
date in your diary now!

96 THE MAGIC CIRCULAR MARCH 2012 www.TheMagicCircle.co.uk