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15
Robert-Houdin Major achievements Statue in front of his home in Blois The Arabs of Algeria were said to be excited to rebel against French colonialists by miracles performed by their religious leaders. In 1856, Napoleon III's Second French Empire sent Robert-Houdin there, hoping that he might perform tricks that were far more impressive, thereby dissolving the excitement of the rebels. Robert-Houdin's tricks, it is said, succeeded in breaking up the influence of the mullahs. Moreover, the Arabs became afraid of Robert- Houdin. In one trick, he allowed an Arab to shoot at him with a marked bullet, but instead of killing him, the bullet was found between his teeth. After that, they believed he could do anything. Robert-Houdin was not the first illusionist to perform the bullet catch and many since him have adapted their own version of the effect. He used another famous trick to prove that French magic was stronger than local shamanism techniques: he presented an empty box with an iron bottom that anyone could lift up. By turning on an electro-magnet hidden under the floor, he made it immovable, "proving" that through will power, he could make it impossible to lift for the strongest Algerian warriors. He found the trick was more impressive when he claimed not that he could make the trunk heavy, but when he claimed he could make the strong man too weak to lift a trunk that even a small child could lift. [4] Robert-Houdin is often credited as being "the father of modern magic". Before him, magicians performed in marketplaces and fairs, but Robert-Houdin performed magic in theatres and private parties. He also chose to wear formal clothes, like those of his audiences. Many magicians today mimic this by wearing tail-coats, though other magicians view this as old-fashioned and believe that they should wear contemporary clothes. Doug Henning was the first to rebel against this stereotype with a distinctive modern look of his own.

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Page 1: magician info

Robert-Houdin

Major achievements

Statue in front of his home in Blois

The Arabs of Algeria were said to be excited to rebel against French colonialists by miracles

performed by their religious leaders. In 1856, Napoleon III's Second French Empire sent

Robert-Houdin there, hoping that he might perform tricks that were far more impressive,

thereby dissolving the excitement of the rebels. Robert-Houdin's tricks, it is said, succeeded

in breaking up the influence of the mullahs. Moreover, the Arabs became afraid of Robert-

Houdin. In one trick, he allowed an Arab to shoot at him with a marked bullet, but instead of

killing him, the bullet was found between his teeth. After that, they believed he could do

anything. Robert-Houdin was not the first illusionist to perform the bullet catch and many

since him have adapted their own version of the effect.

He used another famous trick to prove that French magic was stronger than local shamanism

techniques: he presented an empty box with an iron bottom that anyone could lift up. By

turning on an electro-magnet hidden under the floor, he made it immovable, "proving" that

through will power, he could make it impossible to lift for the strongest Algerian warriors. He

found the trick was more impressive when he claimed not that he could make the trunk

heavy, but when he claimed he could make the strong man too weak to lift a trunk that even a

small child could lift.[4]

Robert-Houdin is often credited as being "the father of modern magic". Before him,

magicians performed in marketplaces and fairs, but Robert-Houdin performed magic in

theatres and private parties. He also chose to wear formal clothes, like those of his audiences.

Many magicians today mimic this by wearing tail-coats, though other magicians view this as

old-fashioned and believe that they should wear contemporary clothes. Doug Henning was

the first to rebel against this stereotype with a distinctive modern look of his own.

Page 2: magician info

TRICKS

Famous illusions

Robert-Houdin felt that every magic program should be arranged so one trick builds upon

each other. One surprise should lead to an even bigger surprise. Some of the tricks and

illusions Robert-Houdin presented became classics. Here are a few of them.

[edit] Second Sight

When Robert-Houdin first opened his theatre, it was sparsely attended. Though his inventions

were good, they needed a draw that would bring the public to his little theatre. So he came

upon the idea of doing a two person mindreading act. He even concocted a silly story on how

his son Emile created a game of hot and cold that resulted into Robert-Houdin utilizing that

for the stage.[3]

He took the title that was used by such magicians as John Henry Anderson, but the effect was

entirely different. Anderson had a box into which items were inserted. The medium would

then describe the contents inside. In Robert-Houdin‟s version, he walked into the audience

and touched items that the audience held up and his blindfolded assistant, played by his son,

described each one in detail. It caused a sensation and brought the throng to see his Soirees.

Eventually Robert-Houdin changed the method so instead of asking his son what was in his

hands, he simply rang a bell. This stunned those that suspected a spoken code. He would even

set the bell off to the side and remain silent and his son still described every object handed to

his father.

Robert-Houdin even made the test difficult. He placed a glass of water into his son‟s hands

and Emile proceeded to drink from it. He was able to perceive the taste of the liquids that

spectators from the audience merely thought of.[5]

Even then the audiences weren‟t entirely

convinced. They tried to trip up Emile by bringing in books written in Greek. He even

described odd tools like a thread counter.[2]

[edit] The Ethereal Suspension

During Robert-Houdin‟s time, all of Paris was enthusiastically talking about the mysterious

uses of "ether".[3]

He took advantage of this by presenting an illusion that appeared to use the

pungent liquid. He told the audience that he discovered a marvelous new property of ether.

“If one has a living person inhale this liquid when it is at its highest degree of concentration,

the body of the patient for a few moments becomes as light as a balloon,” Robert-Houdin

claimed.

He proceeded to prove just that. He placed three stools on a wooden bench. His youngest son

Eugène stood on the middle one. With the instructions from his father, he extended his arms.

Robert-Houdin placed two canes on top of the stools and positioned them under his son‟s

arms.

He took a vial of ether and opened. The audience smelled it wafting through the theatre. He

placed the vial under his son‟s nose who went limp. In reality, the vial was empty. Another

Page 3: magician info

son of his Emile poured real ether on a very hot iron shovel. That‟s what the audience

smelled.

Robert-Houdin took the stool away from his son‟s feet and he just hung limp as a rag. He

took away one of the canes so he was dangling by one arm and carefully placed his head

against his upraised hand. This was startling enough. What he did next was stunning. He

lifted his boy upright in a horizontal position by his little finger. Then let go until he was

suspended in mid air.[5]

Robert-Houdin stepped away to leave his son in that suspended state,

balanced only by his right elbow and no other support.[3]

When it was apparent that the drug was wearing off, Robert-Houdin returned his son to his

upright position. When he woke up, he seemed no worse for wear.[3][5]

Robert-Houdin built

up the surprise of spectators until, “… by gradually heightening it up to the moment when, so

to speak, it exploded.”[5]

This brought letters of protest against Robert-Houdin thinking he was putting his son‟s health

at jeopardy, although the ether had nothing to do with the trick.[3]

(A replica of this performance can be seen here: [1])

[edit] The Marvelous Orange Tree

On one of Robert-Houdin‟s side table, he has an egg, a lemon, and an orange. He soon

displays what he is going to do with them. He goes into the audience and borrows a lady‟s

handkerchief that was in style then. He rolls it into a ball. He rubs the ball in between his

hands and the handkerchief gets smaller and smaller until it disappears passing through to the

egg on the table.

Carefully he picks up the egg. The audience expects him to crack it open and produce the

spectator‟s handkerchief. Instead, he makes that disappear too. He tells the audience that the

egg went to the lemon. This is repeated with the lemon and the orange. When he makes the

orange disappear, all that is left is a fine powder. This is placed into a silver vial. He soaks

this vial with alcohol and sets it on fire.

A small orange tree planted in a wooden box is brought forth by one of his assistants. The

audience notices that the tree is barren of any blossoms or fruit. The blue flame from the vial

is placed underneath it. The vapors from it causes the leaves to spread and sprout orange

blossoms from it. Robert-Houdin then picks up his magic wand and waves it. The flowers

disappear and oranges bloom forth.

He plucks the oranges from the tree and tosses them to the audience to prove they are real. He

does this until he only has one left. He waves his wand again and the orange splits open into

four sections revealing a white material of sorts inside of it. Two clockwork butterflies appear

from behind the tree. The butterflies grab the end of the corner of the white cloth and spread

it open revealing the spectator's handkerchief.[5][6]

'The Marvelous Orange Tree' trick was used by the eponymous conjurer in Steven

Millhauser's short story, "Eisenheim The Illusionist", subsequently filmed as The Illusionist

(2006), where a more complex variant is shown.

Page 4: magician info

The trick can be seen performed by Paul Daniels on his BBC television series.[7]

Background

Houdin, Jean Eugène Robert or Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin (zhäN özhen' rōber' OOdăN')

[key], 1805–71, French conjurer and magician. Originally a clockmaker, he was celebrated

for his optical illusions and mechanical devices and for his attributing his “magic” to natural

instead of supernatural means. Houdin was the first to use electromagnetism for his effects.

He wrote an autobiography (1857) and Secrets of Prestidigitation and Magic (1868). Harry

Houdini, who named himself for Houdin, wrote The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin (1908).

Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin, the French performer widely considered the father of modern

magic.

Aspiring teenaged magician Ehrich Weiss did not conjure the name "Harry Houdini" out of

thin air. Following the hallowed tradition of his craft, the name pays homage to Jean Eugene

Robert-Houdin, the French performer widely considered the father of modern magic. Adding

the "i" followed tradition as well, as this was a common way that magicians invoked the

name of the famous 18th century Italian conjurer Pinetti. "Harry," on the other hand, was

merely a pleasantly American twist on "Ehrie," his boyhood nickname. But Houdini‟s

relationship with his famous predecessor was not as simple as their shared name suggests.

Jean Eugene Robert was bitten by the magic bug just as he was entering his family‟s

clockmaking business in the French town of Blois. The young man enjoyed entertaining his

friends with sleight-of-hand tricks, but at first gave no thought to performing professionally.

At twenty-four, he married the daughter of a prominent Parisian clockmaker, soon adding

their family name to his own and opening his own clockmaking studio in Paris with the

backing of his father-in-law. Living in the French capital allowed Robert-Houdin to more

fully indulge his interest in magic, and he eagerly caught every performance he could while

developing friendships with a number of amateur and professional magicians. Particularly

influential were Comte, a favorite of the French Kings and owner of his own theater, and

Philippe, whose utilization of electricity would have the greatest impact on Robert-Houdin.

During these years the clockmaker made mental notes about what he would do -- and not do -

- if he ever took the stage himself.

Perhaps inspired by the complex mechanical devices, or automata, demonstrated by Philippe

and other conjurers, Robert-Houdin started building more than clocks. In 1844, a small

android he had built for the Universal Exposition was purchased by American circus

impresario P.T. Barnum for the handsome price of seven thousand francs. The timing was

excellent, as it allowed Robert-Houdin time to finish the pieces he was building for a magical

theater he would soon open in Paris. The public was enchanted by his elegantly appointed

theater at the old Palais Royal, which featured numbers clearly inspired by Phillipe but with

novel twists of their own. Even in this first endeavor, Robert-Houdin displayed a gift for

presentation which would set him apart. In particular, his practice of appearing in normal

Page 5: magician info

evening attire, rather than elaborate robes, caught on and has led many to see him as the first

"modern" magician.

The routine that turned Robert-Houdin into a major attraction was not mechanical at all, but a

number called "Second Sight," in which his son, blindfolded on stage, correctly identified

objects held by his father in the audience. Again, Robert-Houdin cannot take credit for

originating the act, which worked through an elaborate verbal code, but for improving it with

consummate skill and showmanship. In this way, he resembled his future namesake: both

Robert-Houdin and Houdini grew famous by adding their own genius to the work of those

who came before.

It may have been this very similarity which led Houdini to turn on his legendary predecessor.

In 1908 he angered many in the profession with the publication of "The Unmasking of

Robert-Houdin," a scathing attack in which he called the legend "a mere pretender, a man

who waxed great on the brainwork of others." Besides detailing the origins of most of his

routines in an effort to set the record straight, Houdini challenged Robert-Houdin‟s assertion

in his celebrated memoirs that his presentational reforms represented "a complete

regeneration in the art of conjuring." Houdini also assailed Robert-Houdin‟s "supreme

egotism" and habit of exaggerating his exploits, charges often made against Houdini himself.

Houdini‟s overzealous attempt to unseat his celebrated predecessor probably had several

sources. From one perspective, it can be seen as part of the lifelong war waged against his

own imitators, for whom he felt nothing but contempt. It can also be seen as a manifestation

of his substantial ego, and the need to elevate himself at the expense of any competitors, even

those from the past. But given that the two men shared so much more than a name, perhaps it

was Houdini‟s way of responding -- in a way his ego and psyche would allow -- to the very

criticisms so often leveled at him.

Discovery of magic

Robert-Houdin's career as a great magician was limited to just eleven years. But in this time his great contribution to magic brought new dimensions to the craft as his inventiveness awarded his the title "Father of Modern Magic". His originality was aided by his vast knowledge of the intricacies of clockmaking; it was his understanding of complex mechanisms which led to his development of "Automata". Not only would his "Automata" increase the range of tricks that could be performed, they would enhance the drama and showmanship of his magic. Being one of the first magicians to utilise electricity in his act, Robert-Houdin took magic onto a higher and more spectacular platform, setting himself apart from other magicians of his time.

Career

Robert-Houdin's career as a great magician was limited to just eleven years. But in this time his great contribution to magic brought new dimensions to the craft as his inventiveness awarded his the title "Father of Modern Magic". His originality was aided by his vast knowledge of the intricacies of clockmaking; it was his understanding of complex mechanisms which led to his development of "Automata". Not only would his "Automata" increase the range of tricks that could be performed, they would enhance the drama and showmanship of his magic. Being one of the first magicians to utilise electricity in his act, Robert-Houdin took magic onto a higher and more spectacular platform, setting himself apart from other magicians of his time.

Page 6: magician info

In addition, Robert-Houdin brought class to Magic. When he walked on stage, he wasn't fashioned as

his contemporaries and predecessors (generally in wizard robes) but attired in evening dress. He

brought charm, charisma and class to the stage. Audiences would deck themselves in their finery to

enjoy his performances and with this Robert-Houdin brought the upper class family parlour

atmosphere to the theatre.

Robert-Houdin's magic, thought innovative, achieved fame through contributing to and enhancing

tricks originated by his predecessors. One such trick was his "Second Sight" act. Not a characteristic

mechanical propped trick, "Second Sight" involved the assistance of his son, identifying items,

belonging to the audience, selected by Robert-Houdin whilst blindfolded. It was in fact another

magician's act that saw Robert-Houdin become a sensation.

To add to his credits, in 1856 Robert-Houdin prevented a rebellion in Algeria! The French seconded

the magician to discredit the Marabouts, an Arab religious faction in Algeria who were using magic to

incite a rebellion, and discredit them he did! He proved his illusions were more powerful than those of

the Marabouts.

Robert-Houdin presented his devil fearing Arab audience with his "Light and Heavy Box". With this

box he demonstrated the illusion that he had in his power, the ability to deprive the most powerful

man they could offer of all his strength. This illusion was achieved by firstly inviting him to lift the box,

which he would do successfully. Robert-Houdin then placed him under a trance, explaining whilst

under he would be deprived of his strength. Then, the participant was, to his horror, to discover the

previously simple task was now impossible. This was actually achieved by building the box with an

iron bottom, attached firmly to the spot by an electromagnet built into the stage. Also, for further

demonstration of his unfathomable magic powers, Robert-Houdin administered electric shocks to the

participant when in contact with the box's brass handles.

This trick and a selection of other amazing demonstrations of Robert-Houdin's magical powers served

to cease talks of rebellion.

During his eleven years of show business notoriety, Robert-Houdin's contribution to magic was

marked by his fame, his innovation and above all, the saving of human lives.

Though he left this world in 1871, his innovation, repertoire and showmanship lives on in the world's

theatres of today.

Profile

Real Name

Jean Eugene Robert

Aliases

Robert-Houdin

Occupation

Magician, Inventor, Writer

Page 7: magician info

Place of Birth

Bloise, France

Height

Unknown

Eyes

Blue

Hair

Brown

Abilities

Robert-Houdin possessed the ability of creative genius. His originality was aided by his vast

knowledge in the technology of clockmaking.

It was his knowledge of complex mechanisms which led to his development of "Automata,"

of which one of his most famous automatons was "The Orange Tree."

Interesting Fact

Escape artist icon Harry Houdini (born Ehrich Weiss) was so impressed by Robert-Houdin

that after reading his autobiography in 1890, Ehrich adopted the stage name of "Houdini" in

honor of Robert-Houdin.

Robert-Houdin was born Jean Eugene Robert in Blois, France, on December 7, 1805.

His father Prosper Robert was one of the best watchmakers in Blois. Robert-Houdin's mother,

the former Marie-Catherine Guillon, died when he was just a child.

At 18, after Robert-Houdin graduated from the University of Orléans, he returned to Blois

where he followed in his father‟s footsteps as a watchmaker.

After his father's retirement, Robert-Houdin worked for his cousin's watch shop where he

worked as a watchmaker for a short time.

Robert-Houdin's introduction to magic came rather fortuitously. In the mid 1820's, Young

Jean saved up enough money, and had a two-volume set of books on clock making by

"Ferdinand Berthoud" reserved, wrapped and ready to take home.

Page 8: magician info

However, when he got home and opened the wrapping,

instead of the Berthoud books, he discovered a two-volume

set on magic called Scientific Amusements.

Instead of returning the books, he found himself lost in the art

of conjuring. He processed all the information from those two-

volumed books, and learned the fundamentals of magic,

practicing at all hours of the day.

Robert-Houdin began taking lessons from a local amateur

magician named Maous from Blois who was a podiatrist, but

also entertained at fairs and festivals performing magic. He

taught Jean how to juggle, and the rudiments of the cups and

balls.

As soon as he gained confidence and skill through his lessons, he began entertaining friends,

and later at social parties as a professional magician. He met Josephe Cecile Houdin, the

daughter of a Parisian watchmaker, Monsieur Jacques

François Houdin.

It was love at first sight for Jean, and on July 8, 1830, they

were married. He hyphenated his own name to hers and

became Robert-Houdin. Together they had eight children, of

whom three survived.

He and Josephe moved to Paris, and Jean worked in his father-

in-law's wholesale shop. While M. Houdin worked in the main

shop, Robert-Houdin was tinkering with the mechanical toys

and automatons.

Still practicing his magic, Robert-Houdin frequented a magic

shop the Rue Richelieu, and learned the workings to many of

the mechanical tricks of the time.

From there, he built his own mechanical figures, like a singing bird, a dancer on a tightrope,

and an automaton of a magician performing the cups and balls. His most acclaimed

automaton was his writing and drawing figure, which was displayed before King Louis

Philippe and eventually sold it to P. T. Barnum in 1844.

Robert-Houdin began constructing equipment for his own use instead of selling it to others.

The money from the shop and his new inventions, gave him enough money to experiment on

new tricks utilizing glass apparatus that would be free

of trickery.

He dreamed of opening his own theatre in Paris; that

dream came to fruition when Count de l‟Escalopier

fronted Jean 15,000 francs which gave him the

opportunity to finish the creations he was building for

a magic theatre which he was soon to open in Paris.

Page 9: magician info

On July 3, 1845, Robert-Houdin debuted his 200 seat theatre in what he called "Soirées

Fantastiques." Despite his exquisite display of inventions, his show was scarcely attended. He

needed an attraction that would bring the public to his little theatre.

So he came upon the idea of doing a two person mentalist act entitled, "Second Sight," In

which his son, blindfolded on stage, correctly identified objects held by his father in the

audience. The act was a success and drew audiences from all around Paris; once there, they

were exposed to Jean's demonstrations of mechanical

figures.

His contribution to magic brought new dimensions to the

art. His innovative inventions in automata; being one of the

first magicians to utilize electricity in his act, and his style

in elegant evening attire set him apart from other magicians

who generally wore wizard robes.

Robert-Houdin's gave his last public performance at the

Grand Theatre in Marseille, before retiring to his home in

Saint-Gervais near his native Blois.

He wrote several books on the art of magic, including his

famous memoirs, "Confidences d'un Prestidigitateur."

On June 13, 1871, Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin died of Pneumonia at the age of sixty-five.

Though he established only eleven years of show business notoriety, his innovation,

repertoire and showmanship has dubbed him "The Father of Modern Magic."

Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, known as "The Father of Modern Magic," performed throughout Europe in the 1840s and 50s. He was one of the first magicians to perform for the public in theaters, as opposed to at country fairs, on street corners or in the marketplace.

Robert-Houdin's shows included not just magic as we know it today, but also demonstrations of lifelike mechanical figures. His early training as a clockmaker helped him create these automata, some of which wrote or played instruments and even an acrobat that swung on a trapeze.

Science

Science and technology very much influenced the inventions of Robert-Houdin. In his

autobiography, he writes about consulting scientists and conducting experiments to figure

out how to perform a particular trick.

Magic goes upper-class

Page 10: magician info

He also kept up with recent scientific developments. Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin was one of the first people to find a use for electromagnetism. He created a new trick called "The Light and Heavy Chest." He invited a spectator on stage to lift the small wooden box he said he kept to store his money. His volunteer always did this easily. Then the magician commanded the box to stay where it was, so it could not be stolen. No matter how hard the volunteer tried after that, he couldn't move it.

Hidden inside the wooden chest was a metal plate, and an electromagnet sat under the stage. When his assistant turned on the magnet, the strong attraction made it impossible to move the chest. Robert-Houdin wrote in his autobiography that at this time "the phenomena of electromagnetism were wholly unknown to the general public. I took very good care not to enlighten my audience as to this marvel of science."

But it didn't last. According to Robert-Houdin, "At a later period, when electromagnetism had become more generally known, I thought it advisable to make an addition to the Light and Heavy Chest in order to throw the public off the scent..." When his audiences learned about electromagnetism, Robert-Houdin totally changed his performance of the trick. He had three volunteers raise the light box off the floor using a rope and pulley system. Then he would command the box to become heavy and it would sink to the floor, raising the three men holding the rope up off the stage.

In his autobiography, Robert-Houdin said that he performed this same trick in an entirely different way in 1856. The French government asked him to travel to French-occupied Algeria. Robert-Houdin wrote that they feared that Algerian magicians who could eat glass and apparently heal wounds would encourage the Algerians to rise up and fight the French soldiers. They wanted Robert-Houdin to perform for the Algerians, hoping to convince them that the French magician had even greater power.

Robert-Houdin usually entertained the people who came to see his show, but this time he was supposed to frighten the Algerians in his audience. He wrote that in Algeria, he invited a very strong man up on stage and claimed that he would use his powers to make that man so weak that the man would be unable to lift this small box. Robert-Houdin wrote that he could lift it easily but the man could not because the magician had turned on the electromagnet. He said he also rigged the handle of the box with electricity, so it gave the man an electric shock which sent him running from the stage.

Summary

Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin was a great magician and an inventor who studied science and used the cutting-edge technologies of his day in his shows. One of the most famous magicians who ever lived read about Robert-Houdin and wanted to be like him.

Frenchman Robert-Houdin was a decided force in magic. His professional magic career only spanned

some 11 years, but his influence on magic was timeless.

Page 11: magician info

Magic Politics

Perhaps most interesting was his use of magic to stop a simmering war. In the 1850s, the

country of Algeria was rebelling. Led by the Marabouts, a religious sect with supposedly

magical powers, they wanted the country to break its ties to France. By request of the French

bureau in Algiers, Robert-Houdin was asked to prove that French magic was stronger than

that of the Marabouts.

Performing for the local chieftains, Robert-Houdin caused a warrior to seemingly lose his

strength. By suggesting that the warrior could no longer lift a lightweight box, the warrior

couldn't. And at the end, the warrior shrieked and ran from the stage. He was secretly

shocked with a jolt of electricity. The rebellion was effectively quelled.

In retirement, Robert-Houdin continued to experiment with electricity and mechanisms and

wrote books. Something else that Houdin is remembered for, he was the first magician to

eschew the heavy robes that magicians of the era traditionally wore. In his performances,

Robert-Houdin wore formal evening attire, which magicians wear to this day.

Another of the great illusions introduced to Western magic by RobertHoudin was his Aerial

Suspension. The use of ether as an anaesthetic agent had just been discovered (in 1842). The

magician spilled this liquid freely about the stage, and it put his suspension effect into the Big

Illusion class. A reviewer of his show in London described it thus: [Robert-Houdin's] most

impressive illusion was the "Escamotage de Robert-Houdin, fils," with his son suspended in

equilibrium by atmospheric air, through the action of concentrated Ether, which concluded by

showing the boy horizontal in the air and apparently supported by nothing except his elbow

on the top of a walking stick.

The implication was that the ether had made the boy (Émile) light,

and a rather flimsy "scientific" premise was thus established.

This illusion was first shown by Robert-Houdin in 1848, but the

idea was not original to him. In 1836 Ling Lau Lauro, a pseudo-

Oriental, had been the first to introduce it in the Occident. A few

years earlier than that, in the city of Madras, India, an old Brahmin

conjuror was reported to have done a suspension effect, but in his

version he sat in the air cross-legged. The report had him using no

better apparatus than a piece of plank, which, with four legs, he

formed into an oblong stool; and upon which, in a little brass

socket, he placed, in a perpendicular position, a hollow bamboo,

from which projected a kind of crutch, covered with a piece of

common hide. These properties he carried with him in a little bag, which was shown to those

who went to see him exhibit. The servants of the house held a blanket before him, and when

it was withdrawn he was discovered poised in the air, about four feet from the ground, in a

sitting attitude, the outer edge of one hand merely touching the crutch, with the fingers

deliberately counting beads, and the other hand and arm held up in an erect posture. The

blanket was then held up before him, and the spectators heard a gurgling noise, like that

occasioned by wind escaping from a bladder or tube, and when the screen was withdrawn he

was again standing on the floor or ground.

Page 12: magician info

DYNAMO

Tipped as the most exciting British magician to emerge in decades and with a list of celebrity fans

that reads like a 'who's who' of the Hollywood elite, Dynamo: Magician Impossible is the story of an

ordinary boy from Bradford living an extraordinary life. Like his dear grandfather before him,

Dynamo grew up practicing precision card-handling and developing powerful magical skills.

The series sees the 28-year-old travelling the globe as the unassuming anti-hero who just happens to

astound everyone he meets, whether it's an international footballer or Hollywood actor.

In episode one, Dynamo performs his spectacular matrix style levitation, physically moves a girl's tan

line on the glamorous Miami Beach and performs magic with Manchester rock legend Ian Brown.

Other highlights in this mind blowing series include; transporting a mobile phone into a glass beer

bottle, magically transforming snow into diamonds in the Austrian mountains and bringing a flutter

of butterflies to life in Hollywood's famous Chateau Marmont.

Throughout the series, Dynamo: Magician Impossible will take viewers on his magical journey before

stunning them with incredible, headline-grabbing stunts beyond the realms of possibility.

"Absolutely stunning" Will Smith

"The greatest magic I've ever seen" Chris Martin (Coldplay)

He's seemingly come out of nowhere but Dynamo has been wowing celebs and punters alike for

years with his close-up card tricks and matrix-style levitation moves. He recently walked on water

across the river Thames in front of goggle-eyed tourist but that was just the tip of the iceberg -

expect plenty more spectacular stunts from this hip Houdini. (That wasn't how he did it by the way -

walking over an iceberg. We think.)

Magician to the stars, Dynamo, travels the globe astounding everyone he meets

Description

Dynamo has worked with the likes of Will Smith, Lindsay Lohan, Jay-Z and

Russell Brand, been seen on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and Comic Relief

2011, and now he comes to Watch with this completely exclusive new series

featuring glamorous locations, mind-blowing stunts and A-list celebrities.

This is the story of an ordinary boy from Bradford living an extraordinary life. Like his dear

gran...dfather before him, Dynamo grew up practising precision card-handling and developing

powerful magical skills. In Dynamo: Magician Impossible, his very first television series, the 28-year-

old travels the globe as the unassuming anti-hero who just happens to astound everyone he meets,

whether international footballer or Hollywood actor.

Page 13: magician info

He walks on water, defies gravity and makes the impossible possible

If magic is the ability to make the impossible possible, then 26 year old Steven Frayne’s whole career

has been nothing short of magical.

Growing up on one of Britain’s toughest housing estates (Delph Hill in Bradford, North East England),

with a father more often in jail than out of it and a debilitating form of Crones disease, he has taken

the world of magic by storm, performing for cultural icons such as Will Smith, Jay Z, Sir Paul

Mcartney and Prince Charles.

In the last few years he has walked down the catwalk for Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief and

performed at Lewis Hamilton’s birthday, appeared as a guest on Jonathan Ross and featured on

Snoop Dogg’s TV show ‘Fatherhood’, sat on the couch with Richard & Judy and been on tour with the

Kings of Leon. Ian Brown wrote a song about him and Dizzee Rascal put him in a music video.

He has performed live in front of a worldwide audience of 1.5 billion people on MTV’s EMA’s, been

in his own Channel 4 show and currently features in a global ad campaign for Adidas alongside David

Beckham.

His stunning close up magic has amazed pop stars, royalty and people on the alike but it has been his

ability to transcend the magic scene that has made him the most relevant magician of his

generation.

Not bad for a kid from Delph Hill Estate in Bradford…

Frayne grew up on Bradford's deprived Delph Hill Estate in the north of England. He first learned

magic from his grandfather and developed it during trips to New Orleans. Wanting to innovate,

Frayne combined elements of dance and hip hop culture into his magic routines.[3] Frayne has

Crohn's disease

Media Appearances

His first TV appearances were on Richard & Judy, followed by a Channel 4 special

Dynamo's Estate Of Mind. Frayne then released a DVD called Concrete Playground.[6]

Dynamo has since appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Fatherhood and the MTV

EMA's where he performed for The Foo Fighters, Nelly Furtado and Joss Stone. He has

fronted commercials for Adidas and Nokia and appeared on the catwalk for Naomi

Campbell's Fashion For Relief.

In May 2009 Dynamo levitated Little Britain comedian Matt Lucas four feet off the ground in

front of a crowd at the Emirates Stadium in London. On Christmas Day 2009, Dynamo

appeared on the Soccer AM Christmas Special, and performed magic for the show's

presenters Max Rushden and Helen Chamberlain, as well as fellow guests David Haye and

Neil Ruddock.

On 19 March 2010, Dynamo appeared on BBC1 in aid of Sport Relief where he turned

signed lottery tickets into cash in front of Robbie Williams and Davina McCall. Later in the

show he performed a lean-back levitation in front of James Corden and a live studio

audience.

Page 14: magician info

On 18 March 2011, Dynamo appeared in a small clip on BBC1 for Comic Relief,

highlighting the work that British Airways had done in raising money.

On 25 June 2011 Dynamo was photographed apparently walking on water; crossing the River

Thames on foot in front of the Palace of Westminster, to publicise his forthcoming series

Dynamo: Magician Impossible. This series featured guest appearances by Rio Ferdinand, Ian

Brown, Noel Fielding, David Haye, Tinie Tempah, Mat Horne, Travis Barker, Natalie

Imbruglia and Robert Sheehan.[7]

On the 23rd October 2011 Dynamo used Twitter to announce he was the newest Member of

the exclusive magicians' society, The Magic Circle.

On 24 October 2011, he appeared as a guest panellist on Never Mind The Buzzcocks for

Noel's team.

In November 2011, he appeared on the BBC's Young Apprentice, giving a prize performance

in the London Eye for the winning team. He also appeared on Children in Need, performing

magic for Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer on the streets of Macclesfield.

Tricks

Walk on Water

Exploding bottle

Twist bottle

Coin through a table

The story

Dynamo was first inspired by magic by a trip to New Orleans where he watched street hustlers, card

sharks and gamblers. He knew then he wanted to be a magician when he grew up (or grew older

anyway).

He practised his card tricks, mixed them with a bit of breakdancing, and started showing his skills on

the northern club scene.

In 2000 Dynamo made a name on the local 'magic scene' by winning the Bradford Magic Circle

Championships. Then in 2002 he won the Northern Magic Circle Vice President's award and became

the only UK magician to rank in the top 4 at the International Magic Convention.

Since then he's been wowing many names from Dizzee Rascal and Ms Dynamite to Snoop Dogg and

Jazzy Jeff. Party tricks include turning a £5 into a £20, getting a coin through the bottom of a beer

bottle and even twisting the label on the bottle before revealing he has twisted the glass

underneath. Spooky.

Page 15: magician info

Simply put, the most talked about magician of a generation. Dynamo has turned the world of

magic on it‟s head, amazing people across the planet from the streets of Harlem to the

Cannes Film Festival, he has helped re-define the genre, inspiring countless young magicians

with his blend of visual magic, card handling and ability to floor the most skeptical of

audiences. His influence has transcended the magic scene and can be felt on TV commercials

for brands such as Adidas and O2 and entertainment shows such as „Britain‟s Got Talent‟

where both contestants and judges have sighted him as an inspiration.

Dynamo‟s list of celebrity spectators reads like the ultimate Hollywood line up: Will Smith,

Russell Brand, Ashton Kutcher, Diddy, Jay Z, Coldplay, Demi Moore and Paris Hilton are

just a few of the names who‟ve raved about Dynamo‟s unique talent.

His TV credits include Snoops „Fatherhood‟, Ashton Kutcher‟s „Katalyst Live‟, Sport Relief

2010, The MTV EMA‟s, Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, F1 Rocks and shows on Channel

4 (UK) and MTV Worldwide.