Random thoughts about Outerbridge Magic -- Mysteries of the Keyhole House

  Catch "Mysteries of the Keyhole House" in Ontario:  

• November 8, 2024 - River Run Centre, Guelph, ON
• December 31, 2024 - Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Oakville
• January 2-5, 2025 - Ottawa Little Theatre, Ottawa
• February 22, 2025 – Showplace Peterborough, Peterborough
• March 9, 10, 2025 - The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington
• March 15, 2025 - New Roads Performing Arts Centre, Newmarket

 

KOP and I had the pleasure of seeing Marion and Ted Outerbridge perform their show "Mysteries of the Keyhole House" at the Milton Centre for the Arts.

[As an aside, we encourage you to go and see a show at this fabulous 500 seat theatre.  It's approximately 25 minutes west of Toronto's western border.  The facilities are modern and spacious.  On the lower level, it appears that all seats have amazing sight lines.  (We didn't venture up to the balcony.)  The seats are a little bit wider than standard theatre seats, which makes them very comfortable!  Parking is free and plentiful.]

[Additionally, this is the first magic show we've been to where there's been an ASL interpreter available.  The interpreter was easily seen and unobtrusive.  They did not distract from the show.  There appeared to be quite a few folks in the audience fluent in sign language.  I'm sure the service was well appreciated!]

 

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Here are some random thoughts that came to mind while watching Ted and Marion share some fascinating stories about their current home and the individuals who had previously lived there:

• The tone of the show was nicely set with a carefully curated period piece soundtrack which included "All That Jazz," "It Don't Mean a Thing," and Glenn Miller ("In the Mood" we think.)
• The show was a BRAND NEW SHOW with very little overlap with their previous show "Outerbridge Clockwork Mysteries."  (Sadly there was no way to work the disco ball jacket that Marion painstakingly created for Ted, into the new show.)
• We were tremendously lucky to be at a show where illusionist technician Shenna Dunn came out of retirement!  Her grace and talent at the beginning of the show made for a delightful opener!
  
• This show is extraordinarily creatively satisfying.  It is very clear that a lot of time and thought has been put into tying all of the visuals into the theme of the show.  Just about every item on stage looked like it was part of an historical play.  The smallest details were considered; from the shape of the centre spot, to the use of golf clubs in lieu of a typically used magic prop, and of course the fabulous costumes created by Marion.  Well done Ted and Marion!

 

This show is a masterclass in organically driven story telling. The premise of the show is based on historical events. The compelling narrative is highlighted with creatively re-imagined, and expertly executed magical effects.

 

• All illusions, big and small, were masterfully performed.
• The story telling is equally as important and entertaining as the magic and illusions.
  
• There is a nice ratio of grand illusion, intimate magic, and mentalism.
• Marion has upped her game with fantastically executed magic!  (On top of sharing her superb dance and quick change talents.)

 

Kudos to Ted and Marion for going out of their way to right some wrongs for previous owners of the Keyhole house!

 

• We counted 14 volunteers.  Sitting at the back of the theatre provides little to no protection from being selected as a volunteer!
  
• While this is certainly a family-friendly show, this is NOT a show aimed at children.  There are some mature themes involved.  And the wee one behind us found the "séance" portion of the show a little bit frightening.
• The evening was a marvelous blend of historical story telling, mixed with masterful performances!
  

 

Possibly the only magic show based entirely on a slice of Canadian history.

 

We think you'll enjoy "Mysteries of the Keyhole House" as much as we did!

  Catch "Mysteries of the Keyhole House" in Ontario:  

• November 8, 2024 - River Run Centre, Guelph, ON
• December 31, 2024 - Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Oakville
• January 2-5, 2025 - Ottawa Little Theatre, Ottawa
• February 22, 2025 – Showplace Peterborough, Peterborough
• March 9, 10, 2025 - The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington
• March 15, 2025 - New Roads Performing Arts Centre, Newmarket

To learn more about this fabulous duo, listen to the Scott Wells' podcast 278: The Inner Secrets of the Outerbridges, visit their website at OuterbridgeMagic.com and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.  To learn more about The Keyhole House, follow its Instagram and Twitter accounts!

Disclosure:  KOP and I were guests at this show. The opinions expressed above are entirely our own. We did not receive compensation for the writing or the publishing of this article.

 

From the October 28th Facebook post by the FirstOntario Peforming Arts Centre - St. Catharines:

Ted and Marion Outerbridge brought an outstanding and engaging magic show to Partridge Hall last week!

Mysteries of the Keyhole House was a show we'll never forget!

All photos by Joel Naphin / Music Life Magazine www.musiclifemagazine.net

 

 

 

Random thoughts about "This Book Will Read Your Mind"

You may know Alex McAleer from his performances in Champions of Magic, or from listening to his podcast his weekly podcast Through the Magic of Television (also available on Apple Podcasts).

Earlier this year, we were gifted a copy of his book, This Book Will Read Your Mind.  In this book, there are 10 interactive experiments to try.  Each one is a clever self-working mind-reading journey.  The exercises will appreciated by those who enjoy puzzles or magic!

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While not a treatise on "how to be a mentalist," the collection is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

As an added bonus, there are a few Easter eggs in the book for those who have seen Alex in Champions of Magic, and for listeners of Through the Magic of Television.

Designed and written by Alex McAleer, This Book Will Read Your Mind is 60 pages long and measures just shy of 15cm square.


Purchase This Book Will Read Your Mind directly from Alex at
https://alexmcaleer.bigcartel.com/product/this-book-will-read-your-mind-by-alex-mcaleer
or ask your local brick and mortar magic shop to order it in from Murphy's Magic.

Disclosure: We received a complimentary copy of this book.  The opinions expressed above are entirely our own. We did not receive compensation for the writing or the publishing of this post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Random thoughts about Graemazing Level 7 Wizard at the Hamilton Fringe

Graemazing Level 7 Wizard is playing at the Hamilton Fringe daily until July 28th.

 

Based on our previous travel experience to Niagara Falls, KOP and I again added an hour to the Google projected travel time, with the hopes we could wander around Hamilton prior to the show.  The traffic gods, however, had other plans.  Luckily, we arrived with plenty of time to find parking, a rest room, and get checked in at a leisurely pace.

• This was our first time at the Hamilton Fringe!
• Graeme's show is at the Elaine Mae Theatre adjacent to The Staircase.  (Check their website for instructions on where to find alternate parking if their lot is full.)
  
  
• The Elaine Mae Theatre is a cozy theatre space which comfortably seats approximately 40 people.
• The venue has air conditioning.
• There is a flight of stairs up to the venue.  Contact the theatre directly to see if they offer accommodations.
• If you require a rest room, they will send you over to The Staircase.  (Which has a good number of stairs to get from the sidewalk to the main floor.)
  
  
• Each Fringe attendee is required to purchase (and wear) $4 Hamilton Fringe button.  (We confused the volunteer staff outside the venue by trying to pay for the button with cash.  We apparently broke some generally known (except to us) norm.  We're still not sure what payment methods they prefer, as eventually they let us trade our sheet of plastic and our coins for two buttons.)
• Fringe volunteers also have tip buckets and Fringe fund raising buckets, into which they request you donate cash in support of the Fringe.  (So apparently cash isn't taboo for everything.)
  
• All ticket sale proceeds go to the performers.

 

On with the show...

• The performance space is intimate, capable of seating approximately 40 people.
• It is general admission seating.  If sitting at the front is important to you, arrive early.
• Unless you are short and there's a tall person sitting in front of you, there are no bad seats in the house.  (The seating is NOT raked.  All the chairs are on the same level.  The stage is raised.)
  
• The show is highly interactive.  There were more than a dozen volunteers and a segment which required the whole audience to participate.
• Only a handful of the volunteers were required to get on stage.
• Volunteers were treated with dignity and respect. 
  
• While not crafted as a "children's magic show," the (guardian accompanied) children in the audience were very engrossed and entertained!
  
• The show is targeted as "Parental Guidance (ages 13+)."  We feel this has less to do with the content of the show and more to do with young children's abilities to follow instructions and to sit still for the duration of the show (approximately one hour).
• Graeme could have very easily created an entertaining show, performing his selection of magical effects as documented (and performed by countless other magicians).
• With a delightful impact, however, he highly personalizes his conjuring, adding to the entertainment value of each of the sequences by making them unique to his "Graemazing Level 7 Wizard" persona.
• The description for the show "Graemazing is a Level 7 Wizard with a black belt in card magic and a starfish badge in mind reading, totally real" tells you upfront that the show isn't going to take itself overly seriously! 
• If you're looking for a show that invokes super heroes, comic books, trading cards, breakfast cereals, John Cena, and movies from the 90s, look no further! 
• BONUS POINTS for a wonderful shout out to The Browser's Den of Magic.
• There were many very strong, almost visceral, audience reactions to his well-crafted performance.
  
• Graeme's improvisation expertise, combined with his re-imagining of classic effects, elevates his more than capable wizardry, and creates an engaging show unique to every audience!

 

The experience was unquestionably, Graemazing!

 

 

Disclosure:  KOP and I were guests at this show. The opinions expressed above are entirely our own. We did not receive compensation for the writing or the publishing of this article.

 

 

  2024 Hamilton Fringe  

• Graemazing Level 7 Wizard is playing at the Hamilton Fringe daily until July 28th.
  Read the Steel City Review.
  

  
Other magical Hamilton Fringe experiences:

• Arts and Crafts for Grown-Ups, by Ben Bisaillon (Vancouver), until July 28th.
  Read the Steel City Review.
  
  
• Spookshow, by Nicholas Wallace (stage manager Ahmed Alexander), until July 26th.
  Read the Steel City Review.
  

 

 

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Monday musings: What's the strangest thing that's ever happened to you during a show?

I've seen a lot of strange and unexpected things happen at shows.  I've seen stage platforms give way.  I've seen entire sets fall over actors (thankfully no one was injured), I've seen audience volunteers walk off the stage.  And there was that one time when a smoke machine caused a cape to catch fire...

I haven't performed often enough to experience anything like that.  Best I can do is report a family member who zealously tried to make a fool out of grade-school-me (boy was he surprised when he opened his hands to find an entire family of sponge rabbits!), and the suggestion of "Abracadabra, hey presto!" as a magic "word" by a grade-school student.

I'm sure a number of you have some juicy tales to tell though, and I'd love to hear them!

I'll let James Alan start you off with this video from his Reality Based Magic post, "The weirdest thing to ever happen to me on stage."




And now, over to you. What's the strangest thing that's ever happened to you during a show?

Monday musings: Popcorn and milk

I wonder if anyone has ever incorporated this into their act? A fun experiment for little hands during March break!

"You can fill a glass full to the brim with milk, and fill another glass of the same size brim full of popcorn, and then you can put all the popcorn kernel into the milk, and milk will not run over. You cannot do this with bread. Popcorn and milk are the only two things that will go into the same place."[1]

I wonder, does it really only work with milk?  And if so, why?


From Peter Brown's YouTube channel:



--

[1] Wilder, Laura Ingalls, and Garth Williams. "Winter Night." Farmer Boy. New York: Harper & Bros., 1953.

Monday musings: Search engine optimization

It's time consuming to become a master of manipulation.  I get that.  On top of that you're trying to grow your business.  One of your tactics, you're told, should be harnessing the power of your website through search engine optimization.

"Search engine optimization" as defined by Wikipedia:

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of affecting the visibility of a website or a web page in a search engine's unpaid results—often referred to as "natural," "organic," or "earned" results. In general, the earlier (or higher ranked on the search results page), and more frequently a site appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine's users.

But you find the tubes and gears and pulleys of the interwebs overwhelming.  So you decide to outsource this task to people who know it better than you.  This makes perfect sense.

What do you really know about these people who promise you high search ranking for your money?  Does it matter?

Yes.  Yes it does matter.

When you hand over the promotion of your internet identity to the lowest bidder, some interesting things can and do happen.  The people doing the work may be located in a different country and may not have a great handle on the English language.  The people doing the work may use the strategy of comment spamming any semi-related website they can find.


Why should this matter to you?

How do you think it reflects on you if the people who are promoting you uses spammy language?  It's a red flag for many people, who view paid comments as meaningless.  (If you're a believer that any publicity is good publicity, then maybe it doesn't matter.)

As for comment spamming to impact SEO, not only does it not work, it can work against you.  It doesn't work for one or more of the following reasons: a) the comment section of many websites are coded so as to not pass on "Google juice," b) comments are sometimes left on untended sites which don't have high PageRank, and c) when comments are left on actively managed sites like this one, the spam comments are deleted within 24 hours  (you've paid good money for something that gets permanently deleted in less than a day!!).

Worse than that, some SEO organizations will target blogs of potential clients, and leave comment spam representing themselves as you and your brand.  These can hurt both you and your SEO in the long term.

When I get those types of spam comments, it's annoying to be sure -- and I remember who you are because you're wasting your money and my time every time I have to cleanup the spammy mess you paid for.  However, when potential clients get those kinds of spammy comments, they often black list you and share your name around with all of their contacts as people to avoid.  It happens.  I've seen it.  It's not pretty.


What should you be doing?

You know your business best.  You know your budget.  I can only suggest to you that you do a quick search for "things you should ask before hiring seo company," and that you remember you pay for what you get.

Monday musings: Tom Mullica

A Tom Mullica moment from the first CAM convention:

Monday musings: Windows 10

We seem to have a case of #Windows10NotWorkingProperlySyndrome that's taking longer to resolve than we had hoped.

We're keeping the lights on here as best we can.  Please note, however, that there may be delays in responding to e-mail and social media until a definitive cure can be implemented.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!