talkmagic.co.uk

Hello! I'm new here so lets hope I don't tread on any toes!

Has anyone been watching the BBC2 mini series about the various types of Magic?

Last weeks featuring Franz Harary was a great example of the art of grand illusion. I really liked the magician's attitude - he openly stated he wasn't really going to make Tower Bridge disappear (think cars falling in to the Thames, the cries and screams of tortured bodies...!) It's an illusion he said - and good on him! But by golly it was a good one - and good entertainment!

Clearly this is "technical illusion" rather than sleight of hand, but there was a programme focussing on that subject. Mind magic was another. Not sure if there are any more to come, but this has been a very enjoyable series that never gives away the trick but still manages to explain the history of it all.

I'm no youngster, and it has been many years since I tried anything seriously dextrous, so mind magic and grand illusion (my term - there's probably an "official" one!) is what fires me at the moment.

Harary is clearly of the same mold as Copperfield, but for my two-pennyworth seemed more "friendly".

Franz invents stuff for Copperfield, etc. He unlike his customers is more of a craftsman than performer. That is why he comes over differently. That said, he's had his leather and frilly shirt moments.

Hi and welcome! Check out http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic4033.php for some previous comments on this series - as far as we know there are still 2 programmes to be shown so make the most of 'em.

I understand that Franz comes from an engineering background rather than an artistic one which might explain his approach - effects with large metal things seem to be his main interest!

Hello and thanks!

Yes I did a bit of searching around the web and found both Copperfield's and Harary's sites. Of the two I have to say Harary's was the more accessible. I've no axe to grind with DC but his site was so ego-centric and "corporate" in feel... But then these guys do earn big money I suppose.

Interesting to learn FH devises illusions for DC. His own presentation was pretty impressive. I liked the way there were subtle hints at the process for the illusion. Tantalising clues like the corn...

Also nice to have Paul Daniels offering comments and insights for the programmes. Shame his public image is so tarnished - for no real good reason either. The chap is a great and capable proponent of the art.

If you read through the article which Paul responds to on his website, you'll see that most of the tarnishing is totally unjustified and a product of idle hacks with no interest in the truth if it gets in the way of a story. Paul is one of the few who will stand his ground and I guess this makes him even more unpopular with the press - he just can't win!