The Napoleons

Where can a magician practice the basics of our art without worrying the inevitable exposure of the unpracticed tricks to human audiences? We used to say that we didn?t know. 

Then the Edmonton Sun?s Steve Tilley reviewed the latest television shows in Japan.  Just as we are unable to get the latest and greatest computer products for a year after they debut in Japan, non-Japanese magicians are denied access to the type of practice audiences they deserve.

Magician Versus Monkeys, Happy Happy Fun! – Well, this seems perfectly obvious: a show where a magician goes to a zoo and fools monkeys with sleight-of-hand tricks. Like putting a grape in his fist, and then when the hungry little capuchin pries the guy’s hand open – it’s gone! Oh no, look who’s the monkey now, you, uh, monkey!

Just in case I didn’t make it perfectly clear, let’s say it again: He’s fooling MONKEYS with his magic tricks. How low on the magician’s scale do you have to slide before you get the job as the guy who GOES TO THE ZOO AND DOES MAGIC TRICKS FOR MONKEYS? “Yeah, the birthday party thing wasn’t working out because the six-year-olds kept on figuring out that the rabbit was actually in a box beneath the hat. But wait’ll you see my NEW gig!”

Read the full article here.

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Scott Tokar and Harrison Carroll are two of innovative group Corporate FX.  Within their ranks are the very talented Bill Goldman, Steve Cohn, Dana Daniels and Tim Noonan, and their mission is bring magic to various corporate venues.  Now, Mr. Tokar and Mr. Carroll are taking their talents to the medical field with their new Side-Fx. 

Side-Fx is not your traditional medical textbook, it’s a collection of easy to perform magic tricks, special effects, illusions and puzzles for use in the exam room alleviating a child’s many fears associated with visiting the doctor.  A practitioner can perform each effect with medical supplies that are traditionally available in any exam room or office.  Giving the equipment and supplies a dual purpose ? diagnostic and magical ? makes these otherwise scary instruments magical.

“It’s long been known that a simple doctor’s exam can generate nervousness and anxiety in patients, especially for children,” said Mr. Tokar. “What Harrison and I have done is combined the calming and often humorous effects of magic and put them to work in the serious realm of a doctor’s office improving the overall doctor-patient relationship — and the results are, well … Magical!” he added.

Throughout the year and a half spent researching and developing the book and its techniques, Mr. Tokar and Mr. Carroll received the same feedback repeatedly from physicians — that many of these tricks are ideal relationship builders for use with all age groups and within a wide range of medical specialties.

Team Corporate FX

For example, the trick “The Paralyzed Finger” is specifically targeted to help adult family members understand the frustration experienced by a cerebral palsy patient or a stroke victim.

Similarly, the effect, “The Leaping Rubber Band,” has a long history of being useful in connection with physical therapy through the Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital program called “Project Magic.”

In addition, radiological technicians loved the optical trick, “The Hole in the Hand,” which helps them explain the differences in diagnostic modalities available today.

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Dawn Kelley and Richard Miller

Call us psychic ? in fact, we predict you will.  A couple of weeks ago, we wrote predicted Richard Miller and Dawn Kelley?s show Illusions of Grandeur would receive rave reviews for their great performance and spectacular, and historically accurate,  antique magic tricks.  

The magicians told the audience of kids and adults the secrets to magic.  “Most magic is kept in containers,” he said. “It is housed in a special building. That building is a library and those containers are books.  Much of what I learned and you might like to learn are on the shelves right there,” he said, pointing through a doorway to the main area of the library.?

The show ended with the Flying Carpet performed to music.

Mr. Miller and Ms. Kelley hail from Winchendon, Massachusetts and are well-known throughout New England performing in theaters, clubs, restaurants and magic trade shows.

Mr. Miller enjoys not only restoring antique magic but also performing with it.   But that does not explain why the team performs in Victorian Era clothing.  Why is that?

“It?s fun to dress this way,” Ms. Kelley told reporters.

Read the full article in the Sea Coast On-Line here.

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