VANISH MAGIC BACK ISSUES VANISH MAGIC MAGAZINE 56 March 2018 | Page 9

JOHNYY HART THE ICONIC MAGICIAN PASSES Famous for producing a veritable aviary out of his coat pockets, Johnny Hart who has died aged 75, was one of that select but notable band of British magicians who attained international recognition in the latter years of the last century. Johnny Hart: Suave and debonair, and invariably immaculately attired in white tie and tails with never a hair out of place, he was among the very best at creating on-stage illusions that thrilled audiences worldwide. As such, his illustrious career took him from London to Las Vegas via New York, Paris, Copenhagen, Madrid, Shanghai and every major city in the world. While initially intent on a career as a research chemist, he was rarely seen without a pack of cards in his hands, and he found himself increasingly in demand, participating in all manner of amateur concert parties. In 1961, he was top of the bill at Pres- ton’s Old Public Hall. Wider fame subsequently beckoned when later that year, aged only 17, he performed some impeccable manipulative magic to claim the inaugural Young Magician of the Year Award organised by the Magic Circle. The TV magician David Nixon presented him with a commemora- tive plaque and a copy of Dai Vernon’s Book of Magic. The two would go on to become good friends, appearing together four years later in the Dora Bryan Show at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool. Nixon never missed an opportunity to present Hart on his long-running Thames Television Show, Magic Box. Luckily the old-school variety circuit was then still operating, guaranteeing acts such as this a possible career. Prior to making it big in the USA, Hart spent countless hours honing his craft, while training the many animals that became a huge part of his appeal. https://youtu.be/E3lhINcJ74U Likewise, endless packs of cards would appear from seemingly empty hands. Very early in his career, when working at the Lido in Paris, he was once docked a considerable amount of his weekly wage for each card he missed dropping into his top hat, the man- agement being scared that the dancers would injure themselves. With his career carefully guided by promoter Harry Stanley, when not appearing regularly in the theatre or on television, both here and abroad, Hart also became a staple summer season sup- port act. In 1963 he appeared with Bruce Forsyth at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, returning four years later, but now sharing the bill with Max Bygraves. In Blackpool at The Queen’s Theatre the following year alongside Irish tenor Josef Locke, three years later he kept the comedian Ken Dodd company at the resort’s vast Opera House. Returning to the ABC Theatre at Great Yarmouth in 1972, but now with comedy impressionist Mike Yarwood, the duo were successfully reunited again the following year, but now at the ABC Theatre in Blackpool, for what would prove to be a record-breaking run. Highly skilful as it still was, Hart’s act had changed little over the years and, like many, he found himself being overtaken by a new generation of entertainers. He would eventually retire and move back to his native Lancashire. Interest in his career was recently reawakened with the publication of a biography, which vividly outlined the endless allure of a man whose magic could so effortlessly redefine what someone believes to be true. There are not many people capable of doing that. Johnny Hart was one. Johnny Hart, magician and entertainer, born 29 August 1943, died 10 December 2018 VANISH MAGAZINE www.VanishMagazine.com 9