Alan's Magic and Mentalism Blog

Magicians and The Paranormal

Magicians have had a longstanding connection with the world of the paranormal and the supernatural. It is feasible to suggest that the early shaman and village ‘wise person’ used a potent mix of psychology, conjuring and ‘magic’ in order to act as the mediator between the spirit and earthly realms; the tribal counsellor and the [...]

Showmanship

So my good friend Kenny Roberts of Kernow Magic visits last night. As ever we talk business, we talk philosophy and we talk magic.
As our conversation winds down my friend asks me “Have you seen the Michael Jackson film… This is It?”
I reply in the negative, but assure him that I have every intention of [...]

Sad News

WHERE literacy meets numeracy, enthusiasm meets scepticism and philosophy meets fun, there you find Martin Gardner.

Back with a bang!!

A busy time for me and a welcome return of Derren Brown to UK TV with an intelligent, thought provoking documentary.

Oh, and say goodnight to the Magician too…

How you are percieved by the audience depends upon the performance frame you use. This brief article recounts a very recent experience and how two magicians were perceived in different ways by the same audience at the same event.

On the shoulders of giants…

‘Who was (is) the Greatest Magician in History?”

Magic – Does it Mean Anything?

Magic needs to have an emotional hook which is not simply about ‘fooling’ or ‘tricking’ the observer. It is about emotional connection and meaning.

On not so thin ice!

AN Israeli illusionist gave an icy reception to the New Year, emerging at midnight from 66 hours in an 8-tonne block of ice, breaking the record of American magician David Blaine.