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Steve Short lecture "Alan Shaxon - The Sophisticated Sorcerer"
Anglian Magic Society
17th February 2015
Reviewed by Steve Majes
Steve
presented a great lecture that was very well received by our members all about
the life and magic of Alan Shaxon. Taking details from the new book "The
Sophisticated Sorcerer" Steve expanded on Alan's early career and detailed his
climb to the well known and highly respected magician he became. Steve showed
photos and rare video clips of Alan’s career and described how it all started
due to an illness he had at a young age. Alan perfected his style and worked his
way on to the popular cabaret circuits of the day, this was all done secretly
while holding down a regular job in the banking industry; moonlighting was not
the done thing! Eventually the magic took over and Alan become a full-time pro.
It was lovely and fascinating to hear the stories and the back stage incidents
that happened during Alan’s career and from the many famous magicians of that
time that crossed Alan's path and influenced his career. We also heard about the
big breaks working with David Nixon and Robert Harbin that eventually had him
sailing around the world with his sophisticated style. It felt like we were
really getting to know the man himself and this first hour flew by.
After a short break Steve returned with the magic side of Alan Shaxon and
presented and explained several effects that were key in Alan's cabaret work and
also some of Alan's children's effects, starting with a modern edit of Alan's
"Magic Lesson" where turning a handkerchief into a lemon led to comical
consequences. "Confabulation" came next, one of Alan's most famous mental
routines based on an Al Koran effect. Steve presented another routine for
children with a picture painting theme, this effect was not in the new book but
had recently been found by Alan's wife. Robert Harbin and Alan were great
friends and Harbin left many of his secrets and effects to Alan when he passed
suddenly, so Alan's take on Harbin's "Captain's card trick" came next where 3
chosen cards are found predicted in an entertaining way from a sealed envelope
handed to you by a CEO or even the captain of the ship! Steve finished this
magic section with a "Headline prediction" and Alan's classic presentation of
"The Hydrostatic Glass", this version of the hydrostatic glass that Steve and
Scott Penrose had made specially to coincide with the book has to be one of
nicest props of this effect that I have seen, and looks like a real glass! These
are currently on sale from Steve and Scott via the Sophisticated Sorcerer
website. Steve presented a great evening of entertainment with warmth and
kindness to a true legend of magic, I would highly recommend this lecture.
© Steve Majes - Secretary of the Anglian Magic Society, February 2015