The first magic lecture I ever saw was given by Joel Given in 1992, at the magic studio behind Davenports Magic shop in London. Having discovered the excitement of magic just 18 months before, seeing a real magician (and recent world champion) show, and share, his incredible and creative magic made my eyes grow wider than a full moon on an open horizon. It had such a lasting impact on me that I use one of his routines in my show to this day.
I still experience this kind of inspiration from watching magic lectures now: another magician’s way of thinking and approach to magic can always trigger an exciting thought or spark an idea.
This is my aim when presenting my own thoughts and ideas to the magic community. Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to present my new ‘Openers & Closers’ lecture at various events and magic clubs, offering quick opening effects to closing routines, plus presentational ideas and advice on stagecraft, for both close-up and stage magic.
During these lectures, I get to spend up to 2 hours presenting my magic, effects, tricks, methods and techniques with my peers, I encourage workshopping so that they get hands on experience with the material I’m showing, and become more interactive by turning into an ideas and Q & A session to really get the creative juices flowing. I really hope it helps generate a spark for whoever is watching, perhaps for an idea for a future trick or routine, or promote a creative thought or to solve a problem.
The year started in the biggest way possible with being invited to perform a condensed version of the ‘Openers & Closers’ lecture as part of the Blackpool Magic Convention, the largest magic convention in the world. A huge tick!
In April, I contributed a 20 minute presentation at the Magic Circle in London as part of their popular ‘Lecturettes’ evening and two days later was invited to share my ideas again, during a two hour lecture at the Zodiac Magical Society in April. More recently, at the beginning of May, I did the same for the Surrey Society of Magicians.
Thank you so much to these societies, organisation and clubs for having me and I look forward to more during the year, including a Zoom lecture for the Society of American Magicians next month.
I’ll leave you with some very kind words from Chris Wardle, who reviewed the most recent lecture in Surrey:
“Oliver’s lecture was full of practical, finely honed magic and pearls of wisdom, with everything expertly performed and clearly explained. It really is a treat to watch Oliver in action. The lecture, based on effects for opening and closing a routine, was much more than that and really did have something for everyone – as was evident at the sales table afterwards where lecture notes were speedily purchased!
Book this lecture now, it really is full of gems!”
