|
Tug’s Tales
Tug Wilson (As told to
Christopher Brinson)
Soft cover, 96 pages, A5 size, colour
illustrations
Reviewed by Ian Keable
Sadly I was too late to see touring illusion shows: but I have spoken to a few
magicians who saw the likes of Dante and Kalanag. Tug Wilson went one better
than my confidantes. He not only saw the shows, he actually worked with them as
an assistant: in particular Cecil Lyle, Murray and Les Levante, the latter two
being Australian by birth.
Tug’s career as an assistant began in 1951 and lasted essentially until it just
wasn’t possible to have a regular income in such a precarious profession. This
booklet contains his memories of working with these three magicians, as told to
Christopher Brinson.
It was a tough life but for a young man seeking adventure, clearly an exciting
one – not to mention the attraction of being closeted with some glamorous female
assistants for weeks at a time.
Tug tells some good stories of his life on the road, both in the UK and the Far
East, and the book is lavishly illustrated - not only with memorabilia from the
magicians’ tours (mostly from the Peter Lane collection) but also with photos
from Tug’s own album. There are also potted biographies of the three magicians
for those unfamiliar with their achievements.
You won’t learn any magical secrets from the booklet (although there is an
intriguing description and presentation of Amac’s Elusive Lady); but you will
learn some of the problems needed to tour an illusion show whilst providing a
fascinating snapshot of an era that will never be repeated.
This is another publication from the prolific Arcady Press who are doing their
best to preserve magic history before it fades forever. Apart from the slightly
baffling index, I would certainly recommend this as an informative and
entertaining read.
www.arcadypress.co.uk/paypalshop/3_Magic.html
© Ian Keable, July 2011