Congratulations to Ben Jones, this year's recipient of the Len Cooper Memorial Award!
More photos from The Browser's Den of Magic's 48th Anniversary Party:
23 November 2023
Ben Jones: recipient of the 2023 Len Cooper Memorial Award
Kickstarter: Synthesis & Secrets - A Magic Book in Four Acts!
From the November 14th Tweet by Michael Kras:
IT's HERE! Kickstarter now LIVE for my new limited release book Synthesis & Secrets: A Magic Book in Four Acts!
Only 500 clothbound hardcover books available. 20 tricks and sleights, 9 essays, 140 gorgeous illustrations.
Grab yours NOW!!!
IT's HERE! Kickstarter now LIVE for my new limited release book Synthesis & Secrets: A Magic Book in Four Acts!
— Michael Kras (@KrasMagic) November 14, 2023
Only 500 clothbound hardcover books available. 20 tricks and sleights, 9 essays, 140 gorgeous illustrations.
Grab yours NOW!!! https://t.co/mQe2wxjQ1i pic.twitter.com/GVeLHzlgQ8
22 November 2023
Vancouver: The Parlour Magic Show [Nov 22]
Tickets at Eventbrite.
From the November 12th Instagram post by The Parlour Magic Show:
Tickets available for the Nov 22 Parlour Magic Show! Come in from the cold and enjoy a cornucopia of wizardry at @theshowcellar !
21 November 2023
Toronto: "With an Extra Helping of Magic" in support of the North York General Hospital [Nov 23]
With performances by the Toronto Magic Company, Phil Pivnick, Patrick Nemeth, David Peck, Katarina Gligorijević, Rob Fishbaum, and Anthony Lindan. (Line-up subject to change.)
From the IBM Ring 17 website:
With an Extra Helping of Magic
November 23Join us for an enchanting evening of wonder and compassion as Willowdale Rotary and the Hat and Rabbit Club come together to host a magical charity fundraiser on November 23 at 7:30 pm.
This fun and interactive magic show is not just about illusion but also making a real difference. As we gather at this memorable event, with some of Toronto's finest magicians, we'll be raising critical funds to support mental health initiatives in Toronto and in support of the North York General Hospital. With every ticket sold and every donation made you're contributing to the well-being of those in need, helping to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues and providing essential resources for our community.
Our goal is to raise at least $2,500.
Prepare to be amazed as we unite for a cause that's truly magical - the well-being of our fellow Torontonians.
20 November 2023
Leader and Regina: Sitruc James [Jan 6 and 19]
From the November 10th Instagram post by Sitruc James:
January 6th, 2024
We will be appearing live in Leader SK. Moneys raised from this even will go towards upgrading the stage curtains and lights at the theatre. Come out and show your support.
Get tickets in our bio.
From the November 10th Instagram post by Sitruc James:
Illusionist Sitruc James, alongside fellow magicians Miss Jacqueline and Kruz, is teaming up to raise funds for Telemircle 48 through a captivating magic show. Join us for an enchanting evening starting at 6 PM when the doors open, featuring table and close-up magic performed by all three talented magicians. At 8 PM, Kruz will take the stage with his distinctive magic style, followed by Sitruc and Miss Jacqueline's mesmerizing illusion routine. Proceeds from this magical night will contribute to making Telemircle 48 a success. Don't miss out on what promises to be an extraordinary event for everyone involved.
Get you tickets in our bio above.
19 November 2023
Toronto: Potted Potter [Dec 21 - Jan 14]
From the November 9th Instagram by Starvox Entertainment:
POTTED POTTER RETURNS AND CASTS ITS SPELL ON TORONTO THIS HOLIDAY!
Tickets available now!
🎟️: bit.ly/47oiJLH
No need for a stop in Diagon Alley, the cleverly curated show features perfect Potter props complete with wand and sorting hat, appearances from your favourite characters, and a live Quidditch match!
Perfect for those six to Dumbledore Potted Potter runs Thursday, December 21 - Friday, January 14, 2024.
18 November 2023
A peek behind the curtain with Hollie England [2023]
This is the fourth in a series of interviews leading up to the Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour Canadian dates in:
- Toronto, Ticketmaster [Dec 27 - 31] ** extended to Dec 31 **
- Lethbridge, Enmax Centre [Mar 16]
- Regina, Conexus Arts Centre [Mar 17]
-
Winnipeg, Centennial Concert Hall [Mar 18]
- Saskatoon, TCU Place [Mar 19]
- Lloydminster, Vic Juba Theatre [Mar 20] ** recently added **
- Edmonton, Festival Place [Mar 22 - Apr 6]
- Prince George, CN Centre [Apr 7]
- Vancouver, Great Canadian Casino [Apr 8] ** recently added **
Additional rumoured locations include cities in BC and NS! Check the Champions of Magic website for updates.
In addition to her stage shows, you may know Hollie England through her:
- involvement in Illusionarium in Toronto,
- appearances at Late Night Magic in Vegas, or
- designs at thehexclubstore.com
We're delighted to interview Hollie ahead of her Canadian Champions of Magic Worldwide Wonder Tour dates!
Through social media, we've watched your act change and grow over time. When
you have an audience tested, well-received show, what drives you to modify
and advance your act?
I originally joined the show with the least experience as a magician with these 4 other performers who had developed and perfected their acts over many years. I guess, coming to be a magician later in life, I felt like I was ‘catching up’ at the beginning and so I was very motivated to try things, see what worked and what didn’t and make my acts bigger and better as fast as I could. I just wanted to be GOOD more than anything in the world. Every iteration of my acts have got closer and closer to being more ‘me’ and that’s what makes it fun to perform and also makes the audience connect and relate more.
I try to stay inspired by seeing shows and movies, watching other performers (not necessarily other magicians) and listening to Pandora stations that introduce me to new music (still within my preferred styles). I’m always trying different lines here and there when I get an idea for something funny.
Ultimately, I’ve always had this desire to create and sometimes what I create ends up being a completely new routine or it flips an existing one or it just adds elements.
Some changes have come about through dealing with venue challenges. For example, when there were theaters on the tour that didn’t allow fire, I found a way to create a similar effect but using water instead. Both versions are custom made and so they also tick the very important box of being completely unique and ‘me’.
Performing in smaller shows in Vegas and Nashville has helped me grow exponentially as a performer. From altering, tweaking material for an adult-only, small venue, late night, 'Vegas' (sometimes very drunk) audience to getting to play with crowd work (and sometimes control), interacting differently with the rest of the cast onstage in my routines and theirs in terms of finding characters plus just being able to perform so consistently in the same venue (5 mins away from my house) and develop new routines- being able to try new things out in front of a real audience. I've also been able to get hired as a 'featured act' and ‘headliner’ in other shows and it's allowed me to see how different audiences have very different reactions and how I can adapt my acts without a video camera feed.
I've been able to create my own 20 minute set and then 30 minute set, which I'd never had to do before as my acts were always broken up throughout the ensemble magic shows. I constantly needed to add routines to meet the required length of the show or alter some elements to meet the needs of the style of venue/ type of audience. I created 2 new acts and now they are some of my favorites to perform.
I try to stay inspired by seeing shows and movies, watching other performers (not necessarily other magicians) and listening to Pandora stations that introduce me to new music (still within my preferred styles). I’m always trying different lines here and there when I get an idea for something funny.
Ultimately, I’ve always had this desire to create and sometimes what I create ends up being a completely new routine or it flips an existing one or it just adds elements.
Some changes have come about through dealing with venue challenges. For example, when there were theaters on the tour that didn’t allow fire, I found a way to create a similar effect but using water instead. Both versions are custom made and so they also tick the very important box of being completely unique and ‘me’.
Performing in smaller shows in Vegas and Nashville has helped me grow exponentially as a performer. From altering, tweaking material for an adult-only, small venue, late night, 'Vegas' (sometimes very drunk) audience to getting to play with crowd work (and sometimes control), interacting differently with the rest of the cast onstage in my routines and theirs in terms of finding characters plus just being able to perform so consistently in the same venue (5 mins away from my house) and develop new routines- being able to try new things out in front of a real audience. I've also been able to get hired as a 'featured act' and ‘headliner’ in other shows and it's allowed me to see how different audiences have very different reactions and how I can adapt my acts without a video camera feed.
I've been able to create my own 20 minute set and then 30 minute set, which I'd never had to do before as my acts were always broken up throughout the ensemble magic shows. I constantly needed to add routines to meet the required length of the show or alter some elements to meet the needs of the style of venue/ type of audience. I created 2 new acts and now they are some of my favorites to perform.
You come from a professional dance background. Have you studied anything else magic-adjacent?
I studied musical theater (dancing, singing and acting) at college and also performed in musicals across the UK, USA and Dubai. I took art A-level in school and have always like to paint just for fun. Although now I get to design my own merch on thehexclubstore.com.
I truly believe everything I learnt from being a dancer, singer, actor, director, producer, artist and even an office assistant has made me a better performer. It is show BUSINESS after all- being a good performer is only a small percentage of the job!
I truly believe everything I learnt from being a dancer, singer, actor, director, producer, artist and even an office assistant has made me a better performer. It is show BUSINESS after all- being a good performer is only a small percentage of the job!
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Tea Party with Hollie |
Do you remember the specific moment when you knew you could or wanted
to perform magic full time?
Magic has been the thing that has kept recurring in my life. It’s like the universe has been gently nudging me towards being a magician since I was a kid, when all I wanted was to be a dancer on the West End. Maybe that’s why I was able to achieve that goal early on (in a magic show no less), so I was then forced to find a new and bigger dream/ goal!
I always loved being the assistant or at least somehow assisting in the ‘magic effect’ as a dancer since I was on tour with Hans Klok back in 2008. I loved seeing ways to enhance the magic on stage while I was associate directing The Illusionists tours and Illusionarium.
I was originally asked to be a magician when I was producing but, at the time, felt like I had no business standing next to these giants in the industry that I hugely admired and had perfected their craft over decades. However, it definitely ignited a desire in me to at least consider the challenge. When these magicians were the ones telling me I should be a magician, I finally started to take it seriously (although it wasn’t until years later that I actually started to work on it).
I had some permanent injuries from being a dancer but I still very much wanted to perform. Everything about magic just felt right- I already had a pool of the best magicians, producers and directors in the world as close friends and colleagues, I had worked on ‘both sides of the table’ and so I felt the most prepared and abundant with resources. When I finally put out clips of me performing magic, the response was overwhelming.
I always loved being the assistant or at least somehow assisting in the ‘magic effect’ as a dancer since I was on tour with Hans Klok back in 2008. I loved seeing ways to enhance the magic on stage while I was associate directing The Illusionists tours and Illusionarium.
I was originally asked to be a magician when I was producing but, at the time, felt like I had no business standing next to these giants in the industry that I hugely admired and had perfected their craft over decades. However, it definitely ignited a desire in me to at least consider the challenge. When these magicians were the ones telling me I should be a magician, I finally started to take it seriously (although it wasn’t until years later that I actually started to work on it).
I had some permanent injuries from being a dancer but I still very much wanted to perform. Everything about magic just felt right- I already had a pool of the best magicians, producers and directors in the world as close friends and colleagues, I had worked on ‘both sides of the table’ and so I felt the most prepared and abundant with resources. When I finally put out clips of me performing magic, the response was overwhelming.
What is your most memorable performance misadventure?
I feel like there have been many... Young and Strange leave a small puddle of water at the front of the stage in the one of their acts before mine and I happened to walk straight into it one show and completely fell over like a cartoon character.. with the closeup camera right on me. I think I naturally just bounce up again, but as I get older, it's harder to do!
What sets Champions of Magic apart from other touring ensemble magic
shows?
Our producer comes from a stand-up comedy background and also used to run a pyro company so… the show is very funny and as one article said ‘has more pyrotechnics than a KISS concert!’ We also all perform some acts together ‘Now You See Me’-style, we interact with each other, we all have very individual characters and personalities that feed and bounce off each other in the show. We don’t take ourselves too seriously!
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Hollie striking a pose |
Do you have any guilty pleasures while on tour?
Normally I have an ongoing D and D app game to stay connected with my partner. I watch a lot of the true crime YT channel ‘That Chapter’ if we are on the tour bus. I’m known for my morning ritual of making a bagel with a cup of tea. In Canada, I just have to go to Timmy Horton’s of course!
Normally I have an ongoing D and D app game to stay connected with my partner. I watch a lot of the true crime YT channel ‘That Chapter’ if we are on the tour bus. I’m known for my morning ritual of making a bagel with a cup of tea. In Canada, I just have to go to Timmy Horton’s of course!
One imagines that it’s sometimes hard to leave the comforts of your home
for a lengthy tour. Do you bring a special something from home with
you?
My backpack is always full of British tea because that is one daily ritual that is mandatory! I also bring a blanket for travel- you never know when you’ll want is as a pillow on a plane, plus the company gets very divided on the optimal temperature on the bus!
Every performer experiences some level of post-show blues. Post-tour blues, we expect, are on a whole different level. Do you have any tips for touring entertainers with respect to re-entering one’s non-touring life, after an extended time away from home?
Try to maintain a routine and daily habits on tour and off. Eat healthy. Get good sleep. Take your vitamins and ashwagandha and magnesium. Get a massage. Go for walks. Exercise or do something active that makes you happy. Invest in self-care (cut your hair/ get a facial etc) If you can afford it, invest in a therapist. Journal. Meditate. Read. Allocate time to spend with friends/ family. Schedule things to look forward to.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers of Canada’s
Magic?
Regardless of how many shows, or billboards or how much money I'm making, I ultimately just want to be creative, and weird and me. I'm trying to do things like no-one else does. As Marilyn Manson once said, 'The key is to change what is popular. That's why rather than submit to the mainstream, you have to become it- then overcome it.'
Thank you Hollie, for making the time to answer our questions!
Learn more about Hollie at HollieEngland.com and follow her
on
Facebook, and
Instagram.
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