Unusual Venues for Unusual Magic
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
Magician re-mixed
I thought i would give you an idea of some unusual venues and situations in which I have had to perform. The above pic is myself performing at the Remix venue in Hitchin. Once a month organisers put on a variety programme consisting of burlesque dancers, comedians and a magician. I did some mind reading on some very enthusiastic and far out folks there. One of the favourite events of the evening is for the compere and his assisstant to sing to one of the songs of Sting and down a beer throughout the duration. (see pic below).
Sing for Sting
The next venue was the Cauldron Club at the Sugar Lounge in London. It is an alternative cabaret run by the the lovely Tracey Starrevald, who also recites poetry. As Tracey was just trying out the new venue, which happened to be a Turkish restaurant as well, she struggled to attract an audience and all the performers, including the story teller Nell Phoenix, had to perform for eachother - not the best idea ever. However the show went on and as they say, ‘it’s all good experience’.
The Sugar Lounge
The Sugar Lounge - Look at the cards and not the strange backdrop
Most people may assume we have luxurious venues with ample change rooms - wrong! During the busy Xmas season I was asked to perform some table magic and a small cabaret at the Windmill Pub in Ewshot in Farnham in Surrey.
Windmill Pub
The Windmill Pub (above) is run by some very friendly owners, but how would they know a cabaret artist would need to change somewhere? They didn’t have anywhere so promptly placed me in there fridge where they keep the keg’s of beer! Now I am from South Africa and the cold does not impress me, and then to place me in a fridge (thank goodness with beer and not stuffed animals!), does not make me happy!
The final unusual performance area was Covent Garden where myself and a shed load of hypnotists practised and demonstrated hypnosis on unsuspecting, but very willing victims..umm..volunteers.
Hypnosis is very safe and rather relaxing state to be in. We all go into states of hypnosis several times a day, certainly just before you go to sleep and the moments just before fully awaking. Most television commercials lull your mind into these states and that’s why we end up singing jingles as adults from our childhood!
Look - two at once!