VANISH MAGIC BACK ISSUES VANISH MAGIC MAGAZINE 58 May 2019 | Page 8
NEWS
ANTHONY OWEN
A MAN WHO HELPED SO MANY
Comedian and magician
John Archer starred in the
programme produced by Mr
Owen.
He said: “He was known by
everybody in this business. He
was lovely, and very encourag-
ing. He always used to laugh
at jokes, even if they were
not very funny but to work
with him was really good. He
brought out the best in people.”
More widely, Mr Owen was
known as an engaging per-
former who had devised mate-
rial for other acts too, including
Paul Daniels, David Copperfield
and Geoffrey Durham.
THE world of magic is mourning the sudden death of a writer and magician Anthony
Owen who has worked with some of the industry’s biggest names. Dynamo led
tributes to Bafta Award-winning Anthony Owen, a 46-year-old father-of-three who
died on Friday. Anthony was one of the most influence televison producers in the UK
for magicians wanting to break in the TV market.
His legacy of his creative and out of the box thinking can be found in his lecture
notes, books, DVDs and downloads.
“Absolutely gutted to hear of the passing of a true pioneer in magic and television,”
tweeted Dynamo, the Magician Impossible star who also lives in Hampstead. “This is
a sad day, his work inspired magicians all over the world including myself, he will be
missed greatly. Sending love to his family at this time.”
A magic scholarship, aimed at getting young people in the UK into the industry,
will be launched by his publisher in the wake of his death. The profits from his most
recent book Anthony Owen: Secrets – his “life’s work” – will go towards its funding.
VANISH MAGIC MAGAZINE interviewed Anthony in 2015 and we found him incredi-
bly sharing and cared deeply for the art of magic. He kept in touch with us and wrote
other pieces under a pseudo name for VANISH. His work touched so many lives and
influenced people around the world.
Mr Owen has appeared in and was executive producer of children’s BBC programme
Help! My Supply Teacher Is Magic, which has scenes shot at Fitzjohn’s Primary School,
close to where he lived. His friend, headteacher Rob Earrey, also performs in magic
shows, and had been due to appear at school fundraiser this summer.
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He served as a consultant
on several big-name shows,
including some featuring the
mentalist Derren Brown, and
this year had been a judge on a
young magicians’ competition.
He served on the Magic Circle
council, edited The Magic Circu-
lar magazine and volunteered
for the Young Magicians Club.
Scott Penrose, president of the
Magic Circle, said: “Anthony
was respected throughout the
magic and entertainment com-
munity for the creativity and
support he offered so many.
He will be missed by many,
and our thoughts are with his
children at this difficult time.”
In a message posted online, his
company Fab Media said Mr
Owen was a “creator of magic
and friend and inspiration
to magicians everywhere”. It
added: “He was a great director
and producer, multiple Bafta
winner but also the kindest
and most generous of men. He
was a devoted father and our
thoughts are with his family at
this incredibly sad time.”