THE MAGIC MAGAZINE FOR MAGICIANS & MENTALISTS

FLORIAN ZIMMER:
GERMANY’S HOT
NEW TV STAR!

MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE
CUSTOM PLAYING Taster Issue
CARDS
REVIEWS No.15
A WEEK IN THE
LIFE OF A MAGIC
DEALERSHIP
WOMEN IN MAGIC

THE INCREDIBLE
IAN D. MONTFORT
FLORIAN
ZIMMER
STYLISH & SENSATIONAL

One of the hottest

magicians in Europe,
Florian Zimmer was
brought to our
attention by Rafael a
few months ago. Since
then we’ve marvelled
at this brilliant young
magician from
Germany, and wanted
to know more.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. The people in charge read about me in the
I was raised in Germany, Ulm. The city where newspaper after I had won the German
Einstein was born and we have the highest Magic Championships. When they called me
church in the world. My family has no they wanted to give me a three minute spot
background in magic. They all work regular doing a part of my graffiti act. I offered them
jobs – My father just retired from working in all kinds of stuff that I didn’t have! From
an insurance company and my mother levitating the host to making him appear.
worked as a physiotherapist. I have one
sister – she studied music and teaches They wanted the levitation and after hanging
aspiring musicians. I was 10 years old when up the phone I began calling people who BMX bike
I saw a magician who performed classical could possibly help. I had no illusions and appearance.
magic at a family party. Seeing the look on not enough money to buy one. The German
the people’s faces and how they reacted to magic duo “Stonkels” were kind enough to
the tricks inspired me. I wanted to be like lend me their levitation. I ended up with three How would you describe your
that guy! spots on the show. From there on I regularly live act?
had small appearances on TV and finally I My live show combines manipulation,
was offered a prime time special last year. general magic, illusion and mentalism. All
Tell us about how you got into family oriented, as I love to do parks. The
TV...What does your TV show The channel wanted to do something like tricks in my current live show are my own
consist of? Barry and Stuart’s “Tricks of the Bible” show. creations. From my manipulation act with the
I was invited to perform in a kids show on TV I agreed and made sure that the show would spray paint and BMX bike appearance to my
(Tigerentenclub - similar to the Disney Club). look entirely different from theirs. original car illusion that I am very proud of.
“Seeing the look in
the people’s faces
how they reacted to
the tricks inspired me.
I wanted to be like
that guy!”
Florian with Siegfried & Roy. Cologne, Germany when I was a beginner in
magic. It felt like real magic to me.

Your favourite ever magic book

or DVD is?
The ‘Art of Card Manipulation’ by Jeff
McBride. I learned every move from the video
cassettes (there were no DVDs at the time I
bought it ;-)) Jeff was the first person I saw
doing card manipulations and I was hooked
– I had to learn what he was able to do.

Best magic job you ever had

was...
I have been lucky to have had lots of cool
magic jobs, but if I had to pick one it would
surely be performing for Michael Jackson in
his home.

What's the magic scene like in If you could work with ANYONE
Germany? in the magic world, who would
We have very creative magicians here and it be?
this is inspiring. The Magic Circle of Ricky Jay. I have never met him in person
Germany does a lot for magic, presenting it but I would love to work with him. His Florian with Michael Jackson.
very positively to the public. theatre show (only seen on video) is
fantastic! I remember spending a month
finding a copy of “Cards As Weapons”.
Who is your magical advisor for Most difficult thing about
your TV work, and how did you turning professional?
choose him? How would you describe your Convincing my mother that this is a job. I
My magical advisor is Don Wayne. I first met own on-stage personality? worked in a bank before, which was a pretty
him in 2008. It was a coincidence that I ran A blend of charming and cool. I like to see safe job. However, I thought that if I don’t
into him. I showed him some of my ideas myself somewhere between Peter Pan and give magic a try I’ll never know if I could
and I think he liked them. Since then I Ferris Bueller (from the movie: Ferris Bueller`s have made it and make a living from it.
discuss and share all my ideas with him. Day Off). Carefree, sometimes careless,
adventurous. www.facebook.com/FlorianZimmer
How has your show been
received by the public?
After the special aired I had thousands of The best TV magic you ever Filming street magic for TV.
autograph requests, letters and positive saw was?
feedback through emails. However, because ‘The Barclay House’ by David Copperfield.
of the ‘Bible theme’ there were lots of critical
opinions as well. The church of Germany
even tried to stop me from doing three days The magic moment that sticks
buried alive in this context. I levitated out of in your mind from the last 15
the coffin after three straight days without years or so?
food or drinks. It was a magical Rocco made a butterfly appear in 1999. I
interpretation of Jesus risen from the dead!! saw him doing it at a magic convention in
U
ntil recently, magicians had a limited
choice when selecting playing cards to
perform with. While Bicycle, Bee,
Aviator, Piatnik and Waddington’s were popular
choices, there was a cry for something more.
Something special. This demand has led to a
massive increase in the production and
popularity of limited edition and designer decks
in the past few years, to a point where there are
now literally hundreds to choose from.

Lyle Borders of theory 11, the owner of an

ever-increasing collection of over 350 decks,
believes that custom decks can set a
magician apart from the rest of the pack:
“Everyone knows what a Bicycle deck looks Steam Punk Deck from www.theory11.com
like. Custom cards can break away from the
standard feel into something very different.”
With such a variety of speciality decks
available on the market, it seems it is the large
online magic stores that are playing the
biggest part in keeping the custom deck
industry alive for consumers. While smaller
outlets undoubtedly produce some stunning
decks, major sites like theory11, Ellusionist
and Big Blind Media all manufacture and sell
wide ranges of custom cards for the magician,
the cardist and, of course, the collector. Black Scorpion Deck from Black Tiger Deck from
www.cards4magic.co.uk www.bicycleplayingcards.com
“There is a lot of garbage in the custom card
market,” says Lyle, “but there is also a lot of
stunning art that would not exist if the
custom market was not flourishing. I look at to be uncovered. The Sentinel deck, lies somewhere in each magician and
every single deck as a piece of art, because produced by theory11, is completely unique. cardist’s personal performance preference
they truly are. Art does not make you more Developed in conjunction with San Francisco and style. Designer decks, like all the latest
magical, but it does have its place in magic.” design firm Hatch, the cards feature brand fashions, aren’t for everyone.
new face and back designs and, like many “Some people don’t understand the hype
Many custom decks find their roots in custom decks, are printed on high quality that comes with limited edition decks,” says
classic Bicycle designs, altered and added casino stock for an excellent finish. Jonathan Lyle. “They may be fine with using nothing
to with new themes and subtle twists. Ramsay of website Luxist has gone on other than a deck of Bicycle cards the rest of
Ellusionist’s Black Tiger deck, for example, is record to state that these are “the world’s their lives, and more power to these people.
made up of black Bicycle cards emblazoned finest deck of cards for magic”. Bicycle cards are great cards.”
with sharp white and red images. Decks of
this ilk prove extremely popular amongst While big retailers dominate the world of Whatever brand of cards you choose,
magicians and cardists alike, De’vo von custom cards, some smaller suppliers have though, the most important thing, according
Schattenreich even once exclaiming that been able to carve a niche in the market. to Lyle, is that the cards are used for the
“everything about this deck felt perfect”. Decks like Magic Makers’ Black Scorpions purpose they were designed for: “A deck
and Faded Bicycles, and Diavoli’s Gargoyles should be enjoyed. Buying a deck to resell it
Other Bicycle-inspired decks, like Big Blind and Pirates, have proved to be extremely later for a profit does not allow you to
Media’s Karnival range and theory11’s popular with the interested connoisseur. appreciate it. I have Jerry’s Nuggets, White
techno-Victorian Steampunk deck, have also Centurions, Gold Monarchs, and White
proved to be extremely popular with the Of course, with all this popularity, there is – Monarchs. They are all open and used. That
discerning magician buyer. quite predictably – a backlash from some is how it should be. There is no way to
magicians: why buy a limited edition deck at appreciate a deck of cards as a deck of
For every deck based on Bicycle patterns, a higher price, when the cheaper ‘old cards while it is still in the shrink wrap.”
however, there is an original design waiting faithful’ brands still do the job? The answer
IAN D. MONTFORT
THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH!

I
an D. Montfort is a character created by
Tom Binns who performs as a sort of spirit
medium and mentalist and his brilliant act
has achieved countless five-star reviews all
over the world. Ian D. Montfort contacts dead
celebrities, and tells members of the audience
things about themselves that no-one could
possibly know - and he does this in the slightly
camp drawl of a Sunderland psychic. The result
really is sensational. The man behind the
character, Tom Binns, is a world class comedian
in his own right, and his razor-sharp
observations of psychics and mentalists are
faultless. Magicseen is pleased to introduce
you to one of the hottest acts in the world
of comedy…

Graham Hey asks the questions.

Tell us a bit about your What made you decide on a using “modern psychological techniques”.
background and your career as character called Ian D. Both are ultimately bull-shitters and both rely
a performer so far.... Montfort? on people’s willingness to “believe in that
Well I started stand up in the early 90s and I wanted to attempt to do to mentalism what sort of thing.”
made a few TV appearances in things like Tommy Cooper had done to magic. In other
Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan words make it laugh-out-loud funny and so I’m not keen on the way some modern
Partridge, Friday Night Armistice and Fist of funny that I could headline comedy clubs. I mentalists distort science and modern
Fun. That led to me presenting the Breakfast thought a spoof spirit medium would be the psychology in their explanations of what are
Show on XFM in London. I got sacked for best vehicle for that and it would give me a essentially very old magic tricks…
telling a joke about masturbating a pig and chance to satirise the genre. There’s been a
the station got a £50,000 fine. After a few few Spirit Medium characters in the past but With Ian D Montfort I can sidestep all that
bits and bobs in TV including presenting a not ones that “appear to be able to do it!” nonsense. There are plenty of clues in the
pilot for Celebrity or Hollywood Squares, I show as to where I stand on the issue of
quit show business to work on boats in As a result of that initial idea, I’ve stumbled spirit mediums but I understand the concept
Ibiza. I returned in 2007 to the Edinburgh on the perfect vehicle to perform mentalism of the “attack of the unsinkable rubber
Festival with a comedy character called Ivan - without having to get into that hypocritical ducks” well enough not to get upset when
Brackenbury, which was nominated for the grey area that modern mentalists find people miss them.
Edinburgh Comedy Award (it’s called Fosters themselves in. Where, on the one hand,
now, it was previously called the Perrier). they’re criticising spirit mediums for being As a result I’ve ended up with an act that’s
After three years of that I started working on dishonest and yet at the same time claiming popular with believers and skeptics alike. Ian
my new character Ian D. Montfort. that they are somehow influencing people can debunk the world of the spirit medium at
“I thought a
spoof spirit
medium would
be the best
vehicle for that
and it would give
me a chance to
satirise the
genre.”
the same time as confirming people’s beliefs
in that world and I can have a clear
conscience about that.

Why that name?

Based on De Montfort University (the new
name of Leicester Poly). It manages to
sound both very grand and very … well
Leicester Poly. The D stands for Dean
making the name even more low rent (no
offence to anyone called Dean).

Did you do any research on

psychics and mentalists?
I researched psychics for the language and
style, and force-fed myself a diet of Richard
Osterlind and Max Maven videos as a starter
into the world of mentalists. I also bought
everything Alakazam had with the word
mentalism in it. So you can imagine that I
now have a spare room full of crap. If
“The most unique approach to
anyone needs a nail writer disguised as a mentalism I’ve ever seen! This
Aztec necklace I’m your man. Also I can’t
imagine ever using my UV light thumb tip
guy is not only hilarious, he’s
ever again. incredibly talented. It’s bloody
What lessons had you learnt annoying really.” Colin McLeod

about performing as a
character from doing your
hospital radio DJ Ivan
Brackenbury? took a deliberate decision to play down that festival and especially not with the comedy
I don’t really know. I’ve always been very side of them. material I was using to accompany them.
much about the jokes with Ivan and you get Especially as the poster says Tom Binns as
more gags per minute with him than you do How did you decide on the look Ian D. Montfort. I always thought people
with most comics. That really pays off in and image of D. Montfort? And would think ‘well if Tom Binns can make it
Comedy Clubs, but reviewers of Festival why from Sunderland? look as if he’s psychic then the whole
shows can get a bit snotty about that. So I’ve I wanted him to be a very modern spirit business must be bullshit’. I couldn’t have
taken that approach where I can with Ian D. medium. Trendy in jeans and new-agey, to been more wrong. I would say each night a
Montfort. Most of what I’ve learned from Ivan mirror the way that the movement seems to good proportion of the audience believe I’m
is more subconscious, it’s just stage time and be going, especially in America. So that’s a psychic or spirit medium and I’ve just
timing, and all the things you can’t really put where the embroidered jeans and the Kung added a comedy twist.
down in writing and teach or learn from a Foo white shirts come from!
book but only by doing. Did you take advice from any
I like the Sunderland accent, it’s got a nice magicians or mentalists in
What were the key ingredients rhythm to it and it can come across as constructing your act?
you wanted to include in the caring but I can also make it sound really Most of what I learned came from L&L
character? patronising. Sunderland is also a million Publishing. By the time I had the courage to
Dyed blonde hair, strong regional accent miles away from the yoga and tofu world of talk to “real mentalists” I already knew the
from up north, a campness and a likeability. Ian D. Montfort and I like the contrast. basics, but interestingly didn’t know what I
A lot of skeptics paint a spirit medium as an knew. In other words it took a performing
evil and vile blood sucking leach preying on When introducing effects into mentalist to say “stop now - that’s all there is
the vulnerable - but most of them are quite your act, did you think that to it - you just need the confidence to go out
likeable on stage and they have a sense of people would actually believe and do it”.
humour. It’s difficult to parody a lot of the UK you had special psychic powers?
spirit mediums because they’re already quite No not ever, never in a million years, I had the germ of an idea when I was
big larger than life comedy creations, so I especially not in a comedy club or comedy sharing a flat in Newcastle with Danny
QUICKIES
Fav biscuit?
Hob Nob

Last mentalism
effect bought?
It was Shhhh! by Larry Becker

Fav gardening implement?

Dibber

Last book you read?

Driving Over Lemons - Christopher Kerr

Last movie you watched?

The Iron Lady – wasn’t as good as the Iron
Man. Buckler. I told him the idea for my act and he audiences to see what gets the best reaction.
said it was possible and then he took me to At the Adelaide Festival last year I was trying
Last time you lost your temper? the Magicbox shop and I bought my first out new tricks on the audience most nights
With an audience member, they were book ‘Séance’. Doug Segal, Philip Esscoffey and I kept what worked. I quite like trying out
probably talking a lot, loudly during an act. and Colin McLeod have been very helpful. an effect on the audience for the first time,
I can’t stand groups of people that come to you get quite an adrenaline rush.
comedy clubs and spoil the night for those As you were never a performing
around them by ignoring the show and magician or mentalist before – Your act is comedy, and the lines
talking loudly. do you think this has been an and delivery are superb – how
advantage for you? much do you perform, and how
One advantage is that as a comic we have has the character developed
What did you do last night? strict rules about doing other people’s jokes since you launched him?
I’ve got jet lag from Australia so I was up all and acts and I assumed those rules also I perform nearly every night either as Ian or
night answering these questions. I’m applied to magician’s tricks and patter. So my other character. The character has
shattered, that’s why spelling, punctuation when I watched a magic DVD or bought a become much nicer and warmer over time -
and grammar are all over the place. trick, I thought it was then up to me to learn that was out of necessity to make the cold
(Hopefully we’ve corrected it all – Ed) the concepts and then create a different reading and Q&A elements work. When he
effect using the same underlying techniques was less nice people would try and f**k him
Fav TV show? or maybe combine those techniques with up more. At my first Edinburgh show he was
I love Family Guy ones I’d learned from other tricks or at the a lot more creepy, but that made the
very least change the plot. So the creative audience interaction harder.
Fav stand-up? aspect of writing original material has helped.
I think it has to be You seem to be a prolific writer
Stewart Lee I think it has also helped me put the – how much material have you
emphasis on the entertainment value of the amassed for D. Montfort – do
show, as for me magic is a means to an you aim to do a new show each
end. I don’t get bogged down with some of year?
“Genius!”
The Times
the “issues” you read about in the forums.
That isn’t to say I don’t take it very seriously.
The Edinburgh Festival dictates a brand new
hour of material each year but for every joke
that makes it into the show you’ll probably

“Genius!”
Time Out
The effects you do in your act are
certainly very impressive, how
try about 5-10 in front of an audience that
won’t make it.
did you choose which to do?

“Genius!” The comedy idea or plot comes first and it

needs to be an effect that a spirit medium
Reaction has been amazing,
with 5 star reviews all over the
Eddie Izzard could do. After that I audition a few in front of shop! You have now got some
great projects on the go with
TV/Radio – what can you tell us
about them? And how did these
projects get the go-ahead –
what’s the process?
I suppose they got the go ahead because
I’ve been in and around comedy and TV for
about 15 years and I’ve got to know people.
The success at the Edinburgh Festival has
really help me get things off the ground,
although nothing really happened for a good
five years of sell out shows.

I have a magic show that will be broadcast

on BBC Radio 2 later in the year, I think in
June or July. I’ve been listening to old
Dunninger Radio Shows to see if we can
make it work…

You fooled Colin McLeod with

one of his own effects!!!! Tell us
about that!
At the end of my show I claim one poor soul
in the audience was a Nazi in Amsterdam in
a past life. I ask him some information about
himself during the show and at the end of
the show I ask him to choose a book from
the boxes that have remained untouched in
full view of the audience the whole night. All
the books are different. I also ask him to pick
a page number from 0-250. When he turns
to that page the diary entry is all about him.

Colin told me he had no idea how I’d done it

and that he didn’t want to know. “He liked
the mystery”. Then I told him I got the idea
for the effect from watching his DVD
Opening Minds. Colin went from very cool
about not knowing to being very annoyed at
not knowing, very quickly. You travel all over the place – is No not at all, in fact that’s when I’m in my
your job a lonely existence? comfort zone - because I have a terrible
Is D. Montfort the finished There’s not a great deal of loneliness as memory for material. When I performed
article – or is he going to there’s always a promoter or other acts on stand up as myself I was nearly always the
develop into other areas? You the road. I quite like it in fact, the circuit is compere bantering with the audience. Also
mentioned the possibility of quite sociable. Even on the international I’ve hosted a lot of radio talk shows so I’m
doing a seance-type show – fringe or festival circuit you bump into the very comfortable with all that kind of thing.
anything to report on this? same faces in the artistes bar.
I’m planning a Seance show for this
Edinburgh. Nothing to report yet as I’m just Your shows are all about talking
starting the festival season in Australia but to the audience, and your
Ian is also moving into all areas of Pseudo experience is obvious when
Science and has been made spokesperson performing. I guess you knew
for the British Pseudoscience Association the audience were going to Check out Ian D.
and so will be speaking on all areas of play a big part with this Montfort at
Pseudoscience - like Homeopathy, Raki, character – did you have any www.tombinns.com
Astral Projection, Crystals etc. reservations about that?
 Lecture at the shop.

A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF A

MAGIC DEALERSHIP By Phil Peters
and Mark Lee

M
erlins of Wakefield were So what is a week like as a Magic Dealer Club Meeting – having a lecturer, so need to
established in 1995 by Phil and magician? I know magicians think we clear shop area, and set out 35 chairs.
Peters and Mark Lee. They had make loads of money dealing at Thursday have a show at the local Day Care
both been working as semi-professional conventions, but it is not always the case, Centre for 45 over 70yr olds. (Mark doing it)
magicians for around 10 years before that, and involves a lot of planning and hard work. Friday have 3 guys coming from the circus
and decided to have a go at full time. The It is also not quite as exciting as everyone to see some illusions. Saturday have a
may think. wedding from 2.00 – 4.00 (Phil doing it).
idea of selling magic came at a local
Need to re-do shop window display. We
magic club, where members wanted new
So here is a typical week at Merlins. have the kids’ magic show after shop
items, but at that time there were very few
7.00pm – 9.00pm. Need to get stuff for raffle
sources, no internet dealers in those days.
MONDAY – 8.30am. Meeting with Mark and and refreshments. Also, might get a new PA
Anyway, from a 2mtr square unit to start Phil to see what’s on this week. No system, as old one is well old.
with, we now have our own shop on three conventions or Dems this week. Today, need
floors. The ground is retail, the next floor is to prepare 100 tricks for a wholesale order So that’s the plan, and also need to keep the
storage, and the top floor where we have going out on Friday. To chase up printer for shop running in between, so let’s see if
the meetings for our Adult and Kids’ Magic packaging. Tuesday have a pallet of stuff everything comes together. We are open
Clubs. We also have some of our vintage coming, need to make room in the from 9.00am – 5.00pm Mon to Sat and
magic on display. storeroom. Wednesday is our Adult Magic closed on Sundays.
 Phil and Mark with Nobert Ferre at a recent convention.
MONDAY
Had loads of customers today, mostly
magic, a couple of fancy dress sales and a
weird request for a full size badger suit and a
mermaid outfit! Managed to order them for
Wednesday. Had an enquiry for a dealer
dem, booked it for next year. Shutters on
shop windows sticking, so called the shutter
company, sending someone round
tomorrow. Made up the 100 tricks for the
wholesaler, just need the packaging, should
be here Thursday. Internet quiet today, will
have to put some new items on this week.
Made room for stock coming tomorrow.

TUESDAY
Phil’s day off, Mark looking after shop. Will
need to close for 30 mins when magic stuff
arrives to get it put away. Shutter guy called
round, replaced some parts, left a bill. Shop
quiet today, but several sales on the internet
including a couple of one offs we had in.
Received the stuff we ordered, Mark
managed to put it all away. Ordered some
stuff on the internet for next week. Called
lecturer to make sure they were OK for
tomorrow.

WEDNESDAY
Really busy again today, which is unusual as
Wednesdays are normally quiet. Sent some
stuff to Italy and France. Also sent an order
to USA, which is strange, as that’s where we
got the stuff from in the first place. Placed
six new items on website. Badger and
Dynamo during his latest visit.
Mermaid outfits arrived, called customer, he
came and collected them. Closed at
5.00pm, cleared shop floor, and set out
chairs for lecture. Re-opened at 6.45pm, FRIDAY everything for kids show tonight. Had some
lecture and audience arrived, went off ok, a Mark’s day off, Phil looking after shop. Quiet magicians from York, Manchester, Hull and
bit late finishing (10.35pm) but was till lunch time, then had circus guys in to look Huddersfield in today, all regulars. Also,
enjoyable and another full house. at illusions. Closed for 30 mins. They bought couple of newbies who had seen Dynamo
two and sold us one that needs repairing. Magic and want to be like him. Showed
THURSDAY They are back in the area in autumn, will call them picture of when he was last in the shop
Put shop straight first thing. FISM dealer us then. Two new products from a guy that (six weeks ago). Dynamo was in most
plan arrived in the post, will need to plan wants us to market them arrived, will look at Saturdays with his grandma when he was a
what we will be taking to this event, first time next week. kid. Phil did wedding, went OK, got two
we’ve done it. Must hire a van as well. enquiries for next year and a booking for a
Packaging arrived, so finished off wholesale Accountant called to see how our stocktake 50th birthday later this year. Closed at
order and sent. Will take 45 days to receive was doing, forgot about it, must finish off 4.45pm. Grabbed some food, then off to the
payment. Had a couple of enquiries for next week. show. Set up the hall, all the kids from the
shows, gave quotes. Contacted by local magic club did really well, and the audience
school to do a workshop, done them before SATURDAY of around 70 were great, PA is excellent.
for them, booked in for next month. Mark Usually the busiest day, so have extra staff Packed up and home for 9.35pm.
did show at Day Centre, went well, booked in. Re-did the window display, and bought a
again in six weeks. new PA from local music shop. Got Another week done, roll on next week...
REVIEWS ★ - poor ★★ - OK, but could be better ★★★ - reasonable middle of the road value ★★★★ - good product ★★★★★ - outstanding/exceptional

Following on from the Lennart and highlights the missing skills of techniques of, say, Lavand’s
Green and Dani DaOrtiz releases a good interpreter. This really is a crucial Second Deal. No, I think
from the Essential Magic shame for an otherwise excellently these DVDs have more value in
Collection, comes this 4-DVD set produced release. their ability to advance and impart
running to eight hours content and ideas towards a finer presentation
time spent with the master Of course, one needs to mention and expression of magic, and as
lentidigitator. Disc one is a at some point that after a an inspiration for improved artistry.
command performance of childhood accident Lavand was
Lavand’s act with the explanations left with only his left hand, and I’ll René Lavand is a wise and
MAESTRO appearing on disc two; disc three do that now when prefacing the beneficent soul and the often
4 DVD Set by René Lavand is a collection of eight further skill and presence he possesses moving, lengthy interview gives
Available from: signature pieces, with an in performance. At the core of his him a chance to reminisce about
www.essentialmagiccollection.com examination of some of the act are some very standard old friends and drink large
Price: approx. £90 sleights and moves he makes use effects – a Triumph, Card to quantities of red wine with Luis
of on disc four. A lengthy interview Wallet and of course the Oil & de Matos. “When the wine goes
A six word phrase still resonates with Luis de Matos is divided up Water – but through poetical in, secrets come out,” is another
in my mind even after nearly two and shown on each disc, together story-telling, gesture and tension, favourite saying of his, which just
decades since first hearing it. It with assorted extra features. he transforms them into personal goes to show that taking a
was on The World’s Greatest and evocative mini-events. And magician to a bar is not a good
Magic 2 television special, and The major negative I’ll get out of all this with 50% less of what idea. Of course, those are not the
an Argentinian magician was the way first; the quality of the magicians would consider are sort of secrets Lavand means; his
performing his version of Oil & subtitling throughout; it’s very poor. their most important tools. nuggets of insight and wisdom
Water. Though it was an The odd word left untranslated issue like steady drip-drip-drips
interpreter’s voice articulating for e.g. obnubilante, which after a The effects are not going to be from a sagacious stalactite. And
the Spanish speaking performer, quick look on Google I can particularly easy material to learn, like the Royal Mail’s Second
its simplicity and incisive power translate to dazzle or bewilder; (not helped by the subtitling). As Class postal service, it can’t be
has stayed with me. “It can’t be peculiar phrases turning up like Lavand himself says, “I can’t done any slower. DL
done any slower,” not only acts “irritated against 20 witnesses,” teach you, I can only show you;”
as a commanding script for this “mono care” and most worryingly and despite all the slow-motion WhAT’S hoT: An inspirational
one effect but serves as a lifelong of all “accepts the rectum;” and inserts and over-the-shoulder legend of magic
mantra for the theatre and the kind of literal translation of views, there’s no real breakdown WhAT’S NoT: A whole star
magical artistry of this particular words that brings about stilted in accomplishing the moves and deducted for the subtitles
magician – René Lavand. syntax and ill-formed sentences guiding you through the ★★★★

time, even in the same routine, coins and rubber bands, large They say that an effect should
gave it a huge advantage over leather flap for paper money and never be repeated for the same
other card to wallets on the plenty of compartments for credit audience. This wallet was made
market. and business cards. for the compete opposite. I think
that by instantly repeating it, it
With the IRW Mk2, Harry, along Along with the wallet, you are only make it stronger.
INSTANT RESET with master magic maker Tony supplied with an instructional
WALLET MK2 Curtis, have taken onboard all the DVD, 12 plastic slides (for 12 The load is incredibly easy - and
By harry Robson feedback from the people who loads) and an initial supply of the reset, if you can call it that, is
Available from bought the original wallet and envelopes. done in seconds during the
www.harryrobsonmagic.co.uk created an altogether much nicer course of your performance.
Price: £55 version. Watching the wallet in action on
the DVD you really see what The original wallet was good, the
The original Instant Reset Wallet Here’s a list of the improvements potential it has to wow an IRW Mk2 is even better. PS
(IRW) was a huge success when made: Improved leather quality, audience.
it was originally released a couple a smoother loading action, WhAT’S hoT: First class wallet.
of years back by Harry Robson. smaller envelopes (medium No other wallet has the ability to WhAT’S NoT: Nothing other than
supplied by Dave Bonsall), load a signed card into an the packaging could have
Having the ability to reload a hard plastic loading devices, envelope repeatedly as many been nicer.
card into an envelope time after interior press studded purse for times as you like. ★★★★
 and I’ll come back to that in a a swing cut, holding a break and be for you, however, don’t fall
moment. What you get in the a double undercut. into the trap of thinking ‘no-
pack is a small secret gismo, a palm’ equals ‘no work’.
gaffed card and, to go with the Once in position, and using the
suggested presentation, three misdirection involved in revealing Pocketed is not a self working
cards pre-printed with ‘funny’ the ‘joke’ cards, the whole pack effect and practice is required
lines – ‘Your card’, ‘Sorry the has to be momentarily hidden by to effectively load the card to
Other Pocket’ and ‘No! The Inner the performer’s jacket to load the the gimmick and then
Pocket’. There are four pages of chosen card onto the gismo. smoothly to your inner pocket.
well produced instructions with While only the work of a moment
POCKETED photographs clearly illustrating you will have to watch the angles My own view is that if you
Bob Solari each stage. and in a few trials I could not already have, or are about to
Available from eliminate an audible clunk as the acquire, sufficient skill to
www.bobsolarimagic.com Now back to the issue of card loaded. Once secured, control a chosen card to the
Price: $19.95 plus shipping palming, a sleight which I moving the card to the inner top of the pack, you might as
acknowledge causes anxiety for pocket is covered by the well overcome any anxiety and
Pocketed is a no palm, signed some performers. However, the performer’s jacket as you reach try palming a card to pocket
card to jacket pocket. The card test of an alternative ‘no palm’ for the inside pocket. An first. SB
is freely chosen and after some method is presumably that it is advantage of this method is that
by-play, vanishes from the easier to achieve, is it not? In the the hand is clearly seen to be WhAT’S hoT: Empty hand as
pack and is then withdrawn case of Pocketed, I’m not sure empty as the performer reaches you go for the reveal.
from the performer’s inner this is the case. Certainly the for the inner pocket. WhAT’S NoT: No/less easier
jacket pocket. proposed method is not entirely than palming.
sleight free as the chosen card If the thought of palming a card ★★
The key premise for the needs to be controlled to the top. causes an unhealthy rise in your
method is that it is ‘no palm’ The method suggested requires heart beat then Pocketed might

These days there are a huge and explains some really good This DVD is not meant to be a
number of arm puppets to sequences which have a magic thorough treatise on how to
choose from if you are looking to theme and in which the dog handle a dog arm puppet, as
add a puppet to your show, but either participates in, or actually Jeremy sees it instead more as a
one of the all time most popular apparently does, some magic. performance guide or aid to
must be the dog. Of the various There’s some business where the those who already own and use
versions available, Jeremy favours dog helps Jeremy to blow up a the puppet and who are looking
an Old English Sheepdog called balloon, a sequence in which a for some further supplementary
‘Robbie’ and this 35 minute DVD blindfolded Robbie locates a ideas. The DVD is well yet simply
offers you gags, bits of business, picture with his favourite food on produced and does its intended
advice and indeed one or two it, and use is then made of the job perfectly. And at the modest
routines that are suitable for Milk Glass which enables the price asked you are bound to
children’s shows using it. dog to apparently drink a large find some value in it. ML
Although the dog is being used, glass of milk! Next Jeremy
other puppets could very easily demonstrates two excellent WhAT’S hoT: good selection of
A DOG-UMENTARY be substituted for most of the further routines, one in which tips, ideas and gags with the dog
ROUTINES AND BONE-US things shown on the DVD. sponge balls keep appearing in arm puppet
BITS OF BUSINESS WITH THE the dog’s mouth, and then a WhAT’S NoT: not for the total
DOG ARM PUPPET The DVD starts with Jeremy whole magic trick in which puppet beginner as there are few
Featuring Jeremy Le Poidevin showing various visual dog gags Robbie visibly eats three silks basic handling tips
with ‘Robbie’ and plays on words, some of before making them re-appear in ★★★
Available from which are designed to appeal to a previously shown empty box.
www.practical-magic.com the children, while others are All this is solid stuff which
Price: £11 + £2.75 postage (UK) or aimed more squarely at any children will undoubtedly
£2.75 postage (overseas) watching adults. Then he shows thoroughly enjoy.
 WAYNE DOBSON’S
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BOOK IS
AVAILABLE TO
PRE-ORDER NOW!

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CONTRIBUTIONS FROM:
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stars of World Magic...

AVAILABLE FROM WWW.MAGICSEEN.CO.UK

MS Issue 15BU3.qxd:Issue 9 10/6/07 12:07 Page 14

WOMENINMAGIC

Girl’s Allowed!
It is estimated that there are only around MANDY DAVIS – DIVA OF DECEPTION It all began for me when I met my fiancé Rob
70 professional women magicians in the A gifted performer and Cox, the current Examinations Secretary of
whole world, and in America, of the 7000 widely known throughout The Magic Circle but back then just a
members of the Society of American the world of magic for her member of The Magic Circle council. How we
Magicians, the largest magic organisation total devotion to the met is a story in itself but suffice it to say
in the country, only 479 are women. magical arts, Mandy is that we did meet and through him I met his
Historically, women have been magicians’ also a 'no-nonsense' friends. The first magician he ever took me to
assistants, doing their bit lugging props journalist who is currently the Chairman of see was Ian Keable and the second was John
around, leaping in and out of dangerous The Young Magician's Club and editor of Lenahan, both of whom I still admire and
illusions and generally looking beautiful while 'Secrets' - The Magic Circle magazine. whose styles I love.
the magician takes the applause. Rob took me to a magic convention and I
Magicians such as Doug Henning, Mark How did you get involved in magic? began to see magic done badly as well as
Wilson and The Great Tomsoni, Johnny My start in magic was a very late one indeed. done well. I thought ‘I could do this’ and that
Thompson, Shahid Malik and Paul Daniels I loved magic from an early age and was also said to me by Fay Presto who
have all used their wives in their respective remember sitting watching many magic offered to teach me. She told me that my love
acts. Today, The Pendragons, Jonathan and shows with my dad who loved them too. I of chatting to people put me halfway to being
Charlotte share the well-earned applause never thought I could do magic though – hey, a close up performer and I started lessons
working as a brilliant team in some of the I was a girl for goodness sake! My biggest with her. I still perform the first trick she ever
biggest magic shows in the world. regret is that my dad didn’t live to see our showed me, Cut and Restored Rope without
In the UK we have several extremely love of magic turn me into a bona fide which no performance is complete as far as
talented female magicians who perform at magician earning a living and having a full my repertoire is concerned. I took my
top corporate events all over the world. We time career steeped in magic – even to the examination for The Magic Circle in 1996 and
decided it was high time we spoke to a few extent that it is the basis of fulfilling my was one of the first women to pass first time.
of these talented magicians… childhood dream of being the editor of a I then went professional and started to earn
magazine. He would be so proud! from magic full-time.

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Meanwhile my love of writing got me well known Who are your own favourite women Do women have any advantages or
in the magic world when I wrote a scathing performers? disadvantages in the world of magic?
review of a magic show, also in 1996. I became Everyone in this feature! First of all without I think we have both. We are different, there
known as a reporter who didn’t mince her Fay Presto I wouldn’t be a magician in the first are very few of us compared to the number of
words! I was made Convenor of reporters for place and she is without a doubt the best men. In this day and age we are more ‘user
The Magic Circle’s own Monday nights and have close up magician in the country. I love friendly’ for both adults and children (even
done this now for almost twelve years. From Romany’s stage act – her Diva of Magic is without performing children’s shows we still
there I was asked to write the Young Magicians inspiring. Kerry Scorah has that wonderful come into contact with young people
Club newsletter and my involvement with that cheeky Northern attitude which I would love to wherever we tend to work). We are prettier
led me to originate regular workshops for its emulate but I was born in Edgware, Middlesex (than most men!) and we can work better
members. I started all day workshops in 1999 and we don’t get that inner sense of timing with rowdy people such as drunks as we
and the first ones had 9 participants – now we and comedy. Mandy Muden comes from that don’t threaten their manhood in the ways
get an average of 60-70! same mould too; I’d love to be like them – I that men who can do magic tend to do.
When the wonderful Peter McCahon died admire them totally. I met Juliana Chen for the Disadvantages include agents who don’t
suddenly at the early age of 39, he left a gap first time at Blackpool and she was amazing, realise the potential of booking a female, who
in our hearts and in YMC. I was asked to take calling me from Athens to complete an don’t automatically think of us when they are
on the job of editor of their ‘Secrets’ interview for ‘Secrets’ – I was in awe. asked for a magician. One agent actually told
magazine, fulfilling that childhood dream. You know – the greatest thing about all me I was difficult to place: “I say to the
Last year I applied for, and was awarded, the of us is that we are great friends. I once put clients ‘You don’t want a female magician do
title of Chairman of the Young Magicians Club on a show, which was all female, at The you?’ and they say ‘no’.” I wonder why…!!!!
and all the work that goes with it. If only I was Magic Circle. The one thing the girls said
paid for all this I’d be able to live comfortably! afterwards was that there was a huge sense Why do you think so few women are
of camaraderie and warmth backstage, no involved in the art?
How can we get more women interested in bitchiness or back stabbing which is what Here is my theory: When they are young boys
pursuing a magic career? men perceive when women magicians get are happy with their own company, playing in
I don’t know. On the whole female magicians together. Instead we were helping each other their rooms with a pack of cards and a magic
don’t come into magic as children but do so with our costumes, lending out our makeup book or DVD, they can do that for hours. Girls,
at a much later stage in life. So do we pursue and bits and bobs, all working together to put on the other hand, are social animals. Not for
them as adults or try to bring on child on a great show – and we did! them the solitude – they want to be with their
magicians in the hope they’ll stick it out until There are bitchy women magicians – but friends, either in person or on the phone, and
they realise that it can be a really worthwhile thankfully none of those named above fit that being confined to their rooms is a punishment
career? See below for my theory on why girls category at all, we all help each other, pass not a pleasure. Magic is very much a solitary
don’t get into magic at an early age. on work etc. hobby when you are at the learning stages.

www.magicseen.co.uk 15
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WOMENINMAGIC
KERRY SCORAH
Kerry Scorah is among a

A few other top few female magicians to

be awarded an Associate
Membership of the Inner
Magic Circle with Silver

female magicians Star. Equally at home

performing close-up sleight of hand magic
or appearing on stage, Kerry's

from the UK and performances mix comedy and magic to

leave audiences spellbound.
Kerry has won praise and prizes from

beyond… her magical peers; she has appeared at the

Magic Castle in Hollywood and in Las
Vegas, the magic capital of the world. Kerry
has also performed and lectured to fellow
magicians at The Magic Circle in London.
Kerry was the first female magician to win
the Simpson Shield for her close-up magic and
her stage act was awarded the prestigious
title, British Magical Champion of Comedy.
She has appeared on network television
in the UK including "Undercover Magic" for
Sky One, a hidden camera show with a twist.

In a mainly male-dominated industry, do

you feel like you get the credibility for what
you do and have achieved?
Yes, I feel very fortunate to be where I am in
the magic industry and to have had some
wonderful experiences and feel very happy
FAY PRESTO: BECKY BLANEY: JULIANA CHEN: with the way I am treated by fellow magicians
A top female performer in A professional comedy Perhaps the world’s leading and clients and agents - although some
the UK who has performed magician, her television female magician! A superb spectators often point out that I’m a girl and I
many times on national appearances include HBO, magician and manipulator know then that they will be hard to fool! Ha ha.
television and is in demand An Evening at the Improv, with superb presentation
on the lucrative corporate Statler Brothers, Lois and skills. Read our interview What, if any are/have been hurdles you
circuit. www.faypresto.com Clark, Into the Night and with Juliana in our next have had to overcome?
Comedy Central. issue!! I have met a few male magicians who tell me
www.beckyblaney.com www.julianachen.com they still think women should not be “allowed”
to perform magic but apart from that I think
any hurdles I have overcome to get where I
am are just the same as anyone else’s.

Thing you love most?

The look on people’s faces when you have
done a good job.

Favourite effect?
Fave effect that I perform is the Economicon
book test by Al Smith I love it!!! Fave effect
I have seen has to be David Copperfield’s
flying.

JADE: MARIA GARA: CHERIE KAY: Favourite performers?

Winner of the I.B.M.'s Gold Here's a great site for Maria From close-up strolling David Copperfield, Paul Daniels and Mark Raffles.
Medal of Magic and Best Gara, the SnakeBabe! As magic to Las Vegas grand-
Female Magician of the seen on Animal Planet, and style Illusion shows. She First trick you ever bought?
Year! www.magicjade.com the Jerry Springer Show. also has a fantastic A Sanada gimmick which is still in it’s bag
www.venommagic.com hypnosis show. A very but I think the magic law states your first
versatile performer! trick bought must remain unopened in
www.topsecretmagic.com your loft.

16 magicseen Issue No.15 July 2007

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Do women bring anything different to magic? MANDY MUDEN always think of men as being magicians. Also
I think everybody brings something different, I Mandy has performed all most of us have had to create our own road.
like to think I bring nice shoes. over the world for a number For me there was no female magician doing
of prestigious clients. Her what I wanted to do.
Best magical experience? sharp wit, comedy flair and
Being part of the Undercover Magic team was magic skills have made her Favourite performers?
fantastic as was being asked to help David a sought after performer on The Amazing Jonathan, Tommy Cooper, Pat
Copperfield on stage in Las Vegas as I got to the comedy club and corporate circuits and Page, Jerry Sadowitz.
squeeze his bum!!! she has appeared on a number of TV shows
including: Astounding Celebrities, The Best magical experience?
Worst? World’s Greatest Magic and The Best Ever Working on the Belfast in the middle of the
I was booked for a private house party and Magic Tricks. She is accomplished as a close- Thames on Millennium eve.
half way through I started to feel quite ill, I up performer and on stage.
tried to carry on though and promptly threw Worst?
up in front of everyone, not quite the cabaret In a mainly male-dominated industry, do Setting light to myself whilst eyeing up a man
they were expecting and I was mortified but you feel like you get the credibility for what in the audience!
the guests were lovely and took care of me you do and have achieved?
until I could be picked up. Yes I have had a lot of support from male
magicians.
Tell us 5 things we never knew about you! ROMANY
1. David Copperfield asked me to have his What, if any are/have been hurdles you Romany started street
baby (as part of a trick of course) have had to overcome? performing around Europe
2. I have 2 cats, 2 kittens, I think the same as for most magicians. at the age of 21. She
5 bunnies and a fish. There is not much magic on telly and it is performed as a stilt-
3. I was once on Supermarket Sweep. very hard to sell a magic show. Most people walker, clown and juggler
4. I used to fancy Martin Daniels. still think of magic as being very out of date before forming the Cobble
5. I love shoes. just because they don't see much magic. Comedy Company to tour international
street festivals and German cabaret
Advice for females interested in performing Do you have your own female role model? theatres with a comedy knife throwing and
magic? I love and respect many female comics Joan juggling variety act.
My advice for ANYONE interested in magic is to Rivers, Rita Rudner, Wanda Sykes, She studied with the masters of
join a local magic club as there are lots of Victoria Wood. Fay Presto has always been a McBride's Mystery School and Masterclass
people there to help get your hobby off the great magical role model. in Las Vegas before making a hit on the
ground or turn your hobby into a career. Also cabaret and high society gala dinner circuit
most clubs have access to libraries with Do you think it’s harder to breakthrough as with her own brand of zany close-up magic.
hundreds of books and dvds that you can a woman? She has performed for Royalty, compered
borrow. As for females, if I meet any girls who Not really I think it is as always about how more than 100 shows at The Magic Castle
are interested I always tell them we need more much you are prepared to put in. in Hollywood and in 2007 was named
women in magic and offer any help I can again Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year.
in finding a local club. I have a couple of ladies How would you describe your act? Charismatic, very funny and fully at
who I am in regular contact with and I am Comedy and Magic home on the stage, Romany now performs
currently helping them with their new hobby and her own cabaret for discerning audiences
I can't wait for one of them to turn it into a job. Thing you hate most about magic? around the world.
Nothing really
Any ambitions to revive your old double-act? In a mainly male-dominated industry, do
I used to be part of the double act CoSMik Thing you love most? you feel like you get the credibility for what
with Martin Cox which I loved doing as Martin I love to watch the affect it has on people you do and have achieved?
always said that if we were rubbish, - people I often do find that the lads are reluctant to
would tell him, and if we were great they used Favourite effect? give me the credit for magic that I’ve
to tell me, so I was in a win win situation!! Have loads significantly adapted or made my own, often
I love performing with Martin he is a fab referring to my material as ‘ah, that was from
magician and we have been tempted a Last act you saw? Eugene,’ or ‘well, so and so gave you that’,
couple of times to dig out the act for one last Simon Drake when really the material represents years of
time...so who knows... my own work and thought.
First trick you ever bought?
Any magic downsides? Egg to silk What, if any are/have been hurdles you
I really can't think of many downsides but of have had to overcome?
course ask me that when I'm trying to find Last trick you bought? The main hurdles which have also been an
the one parking space in London or I'm stuck Trilogy inspiration for creativity is that I wanted to do
in traffic on the M25 etc etc. I love my job magic from my own costume, ie no sleeves,
and I feel very lucky to have a career with Do women bring anything different to magic? skirt, corset which meant that I have to
something that started as a hobby. I think they do because in general people significantly adapt the classic methods of

www.magicseen.co.uk 17
MS Issue 15BU3.qxd:Issue 9 10/6/07 12:07 Page 18

WOMENINMAGIC
comedy and intelligent glamour’…but what do Last trick you bought?
ROMANY CONTINUED...
I know? I want my act to be beautiful and Roy Johnson’s Snap, still in the bag from
doing things such as ‘Slush Bottle’ for magical and since I’m a bit of a bumbler and Bristol.
example. In fact, now that I’m mainly on the have a talent for tripping over my own props,
other side of that hurdle, it turns out that it usually ends up as funny. Best magical experience?
women’s clothing has many more Last summer when I was MC-ing the Variete
opportunities to hide things, but it took and Thing you hate most about magic? Spiegletent at Womad music festival. A full
continues to take many hours in front of a Magicians who perform magic without a audience with the rain bucketing down
mirror looking at different angles and concept of making it magical. E.g. Ego card outside, the stage full of bubbles, everyone
wondering if I could fit this into that without tricks, agghhh! lost in magic, I knew that when I got off
anyone seeing. stage, I would hear that my dad had died
Thing you love most? during the show and in that moment, I was
Do you have your own female role model? The moment in a great act that makes you held in magic with the audience. It’s an
No one in magic, but the great stars of cry. E.g. Kevin’s snowstorm, Jeff’s waterbowls. important memory of being completely happy
musical theatre, Cyd Charisse, Bette Middler, and really sad all at the same time and all
Judy Garland, Liza Minelli, Jane Russell, etc Favourite effect? wrapped up in magic. Life really.
Hate to say it, but …. yep, the Snowstorm,
Do women bring anything different to magic? done right it’s just so magical. Worst?
Of course! Style, femininity, a less ego lead Table hopping in Grosvenor House with
approach to presenting magic and nearly all Last act you saw? thousands and thousands of tables and
the female magicians working bring a really Norbert Ferre at the Bristol Spellbound waiters and noise and really drunk punters…
individual approach. Show…. I watched from the wings thinking losing the will to live!
what a fantastically well sculptured act it is.
Do you think it's harder to breakthrough as Tell us a few things we never knew about you!
a woman? Favourite performer? 1. The only thing that I iron ever ever ever is
No, I think it's easier to be noticed and if At the moment… Topaz for his great skill as silks.
you’re worth the attention then you’ll get it. an MC and for his truly magical stage act. 2. I had an ambition at the age of 8 to learn
Since there are so few women, it’s easier I The moment the aeroplane goes out over the to in-line skate so I can swan up and
think to be booked for a gala show once you audience…. ahhhhh down Venice Beach in hot pants, this is
have a quality act. the year finally to learn!
Next big thing? 3. The most scary thing in life is Karaoke.
How would you describe your act? No idea. Just can’t, won’t, will never ever be
I’d have to use someone else’s description. ‘A able to.
flamboyant cross between Bette Middler and First trick you ever bought? 4. I have a baby unicorn. But it’s a secret.
Mary Poppins, a fascinating mix of quirky Break away wand.

Kernow Magic give us their the male as being dominant, active and the
top 10 selling effects for force while the role of the female is passive,
female magicians! receptive, and complacent. Even at a
1. Silks club/society level far too many men of the
2. Appearing Cane older generation control the proceedings and
3. PK Wizard Ring thus deter the inclusion of more women. I
4. Bicycle cards mean how many conventions have you been to
5. Flash Paper and seen the President referred to by name
6. Electric Touch and his Lady. I’m sure if the roles were
7. Self Tying Shoelaces reversed it wouldn't be "Dorothy and her Man".
8. Sponge Balls/Rabbits Magic is becoming more popular amongst
9. Sharpie Pens younger women but it will take a
10. Jay Sankey - Moving Violation modernisation of the various societies’
constitutions to make a real change. I'm sorry
Is magic a sexist profession? lads but the band of lady magicians I know are
Magic is unfortunately still sexist and one of extremely talented at every level from street
the very few professions that is struggling to magic to stage and illusions. Kernow Magic
throw off its ancient traditions. Most women have lots of female customers including Lisa
in magic have always been in the "working" O'Brien, who at 18 is already Cornwall's top
rather than in the front of the magic. This female magician and of course the fabulous
tradition can be traced throughout the history Romany, the first ever female winner of the
of magic and even further back in Paganism. Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year.
Aleister Crowley, perhaps one of the foremost
writers of occult text, described the role of Kenny Roberts, Kernow Magic.

18 magicseen Issue No.15 July 2007