548: Jamie Allan - the iMagician

Jamie Allen is known as the iMagician and the “High Tech Houdini” who brings magic into today’s age using modern technology. His stage show is unlike traditional magic shows and even some of the classics in magic (i.e. sawing in half, sub trunk, and the zig-zag) have all been updated with original twists and video introductions that give some entertaining and historical background on some of those effects. He also uses Augmented Reality (A/R) to perform some of his close-up effects that are projected on the big overhead screens.

Jamie talks about what it’s like performing magic in today’s age with interest in high-tech and how he develops magic for today’s world and today’s audiences. He also talks about the “stigma” associated with performing on cruise ships ,traveling with a stage show, the changes in venues and audience’s tastes in the U.K. He also talks about the changes in the cruise ship industry as it affects magicians.

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372: Rick Wilcox - At Home In His Own Theater

Rick Wilcox has been a long-time friend and one whom I have been wanting to feature on this podcast for some time. I have known Rick for many years as a fellow "Four F'r" (from Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic annual close-up convention) who helps Jimmy C with the A/V for the close-up shows. We have talked about being an illusionist versus a close-up guy, but Rick does both. I knew he and his wife, Susan, had a long-running illusion show playing in their own 500 seat theater in Wisconsin.

The Rick Wilcox Magic Show is now into its 19th season at the Wisconsin Dells and plays to packed houses throughout the tourist season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day but also playing during Spring Break and seasonal holidays. They compete with indoor/outdoor water parks, duck rides, zip-lining, go-carting, candy shops and other family attractions similar to Branson, Missouri but much smaller with fewer show options but with more family oriented rather than those Branson attractions that are geared towards the senior set. With all of the competition for the tourist dollar in a popular family destination, it is great to know that they recently won an award for "The Best Family Travel Destination for the State of Wisconsin".

Rick Wilcox Magic Theater, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Sneak peek 90 Minutes of pure Magic, Illusion and comedy. TripAdvisors #1 attraction Things to do Wisconsin Dells

Rick and Susan Wilcox talk about the daily chores of an illusionist who prepares each day for and evening show in their own theater, plus the problems with traveling with big illusions when on the road. They also talk about routining and scripting a stage show and how each illusion fits into the overall show as they constantly change the show each year and throughout the year. They discuss some of the challenges of finding, remodeling and maintaining a theater and marketing their show, some "horror stories" when things went wrong, and more.

Click on the graphic above for show information.

235: FISM Italy - Day Four

It may have been a little overcast outside, but the weather and the magic was perfect in the convention center. After viewing the stage competition from 8:30 to 12:30, I got to walk around the dealers a bit more, chat with friends, and attend a couple lectures. And of course, it was Thursday which meant magic and Martinis in the evening with friends at the bar.

After watching Luke Jermay's one man show, was the evening gala featuring: Cyril Takayama and Eun Gyeol Lee as co-MC's with Mike Chao, Topas, David Kaplan, Tony Frebourg, Alberto Giorgi, Rob Zabrecky, Sos & Victoria and Samuel.