VANISH MAGIC BACK ISSUES SPECIAL EDITION No. 2 | Page 2
Now you can
ED’S
NOTE
SPECIAL EDITION July 2016
VA N I S H
perform the
Internatonal Magic Magazine
routine that
went viral.
The Dream Act
PUBLISHER
Paul Romhany & Joomag
by Shin Lim
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Paul Romhany: editor@vanishmagazine.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Ben Robinson
...every trick
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Nick Lewin
revealed...
STAFF WRITERS FOR SPECIAL EDITION
BEN ROBINSON
COVER ARTWORK
HAIM GOLDENBERG
EDITORIAL SUPPORT EXECUTIVE
Richard Webster and Mick Peck
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
Paul Romhany & Sydnie Anderson
CREATIVE DESIGNER & LAYOUT
Paul Romhany
MARKETING EXECUTIVES
Steve Hocevar
CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION
Harry Morgan
ADDRESS
1183 Blind Bogey Drive
Qualicum Beach, BC.
V9K1E6
CANADA
Created by Paul Romhany & Mike Maione
COPYRIGHT
IMAGINE being able to perform at
least SIX DIFFERENT routines from
one pocket calendar.
All rights reserved. None of this magazine can be
reprinted electronically OR in hard form without the
permission of the editor.
LEARN FROM THE MASTERS
I
t is no secret that I am a huge fan of Charlie Chaplin. I’ve been a Chaplin fan
since I saw his masterpiece “The Circus” (Academy Award, 1928) as an eightyear-old boy in New Zealand. That film inspired a lifetime love for Chaplin
movies and for my passion about magic. Today I can sit down with my fouryear old son and watch a Chaplin movie and see his eyes light up whenever
Chaplin walks on screen. The power of a Chaplin movie is that it can reach any
age; and break down all cultural barriers. His work is still as relevant today as it
was when these films were first shown over 90-years ago. There are very few
movies today that have, or will have, the same impact when they are shown
90 years from now.
When lecturing to magicians live around the world I always give this piece
of advice: “Sit down and watch a full-length silent comedy movie by Charlie
Chaplin, Harold Lloyd or Buster Keaton.”
You will learn so much about how to craft your own show from these artists.
If you watch closely, you’ll see these movies have a structure that draws you
in and takes you on a journey filled with humor and pathos. These great
filmmakers knew how to tell a story and connect with the viewers that give
them meaning and a power that makes them last for eternity.
Imagine, as a magician, if you could take these powerful elements and
bring them to your show. It doesn’t matter if you are a close-up magician, a
kid’s performer, a comedy magician or illusionist. By studying Chaplin and
watching his story telling technique you will find yourself connecting with
your audience in a way that will make a huge difference to your show and
leave a lasting impression on their minds. My personal suggestions for Chaplin
would be The Kid, The Circus and The Gold Rush. Watch as he takes you on
this incredible ride and study how Chaplin really uses the characters to bring
out the story. Chaplin makes you feel on a gut level and not only is this terribly
difficult to do, but he does this primarily without words. All performers need
to think about that. It is not pantomime in the current definition. It is silent
storytelling. There is a great gulf of a difference.
When Ben Robinson told me he and his wife An were going to the opening of
Chaplin’s World in Switzerland I knew it would make a perfect Special Edition
for VANISH. This is a place everybody must visit, not just Chaplin fans but
anybody who loves movies, magic and the arts. Ben has given VANISH a worldexclusive and insight in to a truly magical place and an insight in to a man who
made the world a much happier place to live.
We need Chaplin today just as much as the world needed him back during the
World Wars and the Great Depression. The world needs to learn how to smile
and laugh and love again. Enjoy this very special edition of VANISH.
Paul Romhany
Now available at your favorite MM dealer. Visit www.murphysmagic.com for more.