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900: Dan Sperry - The Anti-Conjuror

With this episode we celebrate the 900th episode of The Magic Word Podcast. Every 50 episodes we like to present a special guest who is well known throughout our worldwide magic community. And who better for this episode than Dan Sperry. He was a regular member of The Illusionists who toured the major stages of the world from Sydney, Australia, to Broadway in New York City. He has headlined in nightclubs, Las Vegas casinos, and performing arts theaters. For many years he has appeared on Masters of Illusion television show as well as many other TV shows. Now residing in Florida, he continues to travel the globe, but when at home, he enjoys (believe it or not) performing for children’s birthday parties.

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In this week’s episode, Dan shares his story of how he developed his act and his character. He tells us about his early journey as he worked with doves and learned from some of the true masters like Joseph Gabriel that developed into a residency at a casino in Las Vegas. He toured Canada with Murray Hatfield as he honed his dove act and began to settle into his Shock Illusionist persona. He also talks about developing his talking act that led to work with the Illusionists and television appearances.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Tagged with Dan Sperry, The Illusionists, Masters of Illusion, Derek Hughes, Suzanne the Magician, dove magic, World's Greatest Magic, Las Vegas, Hank Moorehouse, Joan Caeser, Gay Blackstone, Paul Kozak, Jeff Hobson, Roy Shank, Brett Daniels, Rudy Coby, Joseph Gabriel, Murray Hatfield.

May 1, 2025 by Scott Wells.
  • May 1, 2025
  • Scott Wells
  • Dan Sperry
  • The Illusionists
  • Masters of Illusion
  • Derek Hughes
  • Suzanne the Magician
  • dove magic
  • World's Greatest Magic
  • Las Vegas
  • Hank Moorehouse
  • Joan Caeser
  • Gay Blackstone
  • Paul Kozak
  • Jeff Hobson
  • Roy Shank
  • Brett Daniels
  • Rudy Coby
  • Joseph Gabriel
  • Murray Hatfield
  • 1 Comment
1 Comment

231: FISM Italy - Prelude

The 26th World Championships of Magic is about to get underway...tomorrow. But first, let's learn a little about FISM and how it's judged and more about the point system and more, plus hear from a few friends I met while waiting to check in at the registration desk.

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View fullsize Some of the 2,000+ magicians trying to get their registration packets

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:59 - Craig Mitchell is joined late in our chat by Shawn Farquhar.

00:09:19 - Peter Rogers and Raymond Crow

00:20:40 - Aaron Crow

00:23:27 - Paul Daniels

00:31:14 - Boris Wild

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Posted in Convention Report and tagged with FISM, FISM Italy, craig Mitchell, Aaron Crow, Peter Rogers, Raymond Crow, Paul Daniels, Boris Wild, Shawn Farquhar.

July 5, 2015 by Scott Wells.
  • July 5, 2015
  • Scott Wells
  • FISM
  • FISM Italy
  • craig Mitchell
  • Aaron Crow
  • Peter Rogers
  • Raymond Crow
  • Paul Daniels
  • Boris Wild
  • Shawn Farquhar
  • Convention Report
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228: The Illusionists - Hearing the Impossible

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Almost everyone has heard of "The Illusionists" touring troupe of magicians, and, over the past year or so, I suspect many of you have had an opportunity to actually see their live show when it came through your area. They have traveled around the world from Sydney, Australia to New York City and many lands and States in between. If you haven't seen them, don't fret. After proving to be box office titans, they are contracted to continue their show for years to come. And there is a television project in the works, too, that may give them even wider recognition.

When I saw their show in Houston, Texas, I was not only fascinated with their skills but also with the audience reaction. As a magician who attends a lot of magic conventions, I have seen thousands of performances over the years. The main difference between magician audiences and lay audiences is what it is that each reacts to and how they react. I loved watching the expressions on people's faces in the theater who had never seen a live magic show. Certainly there are a lot of magic shows on television currently, but this live show is nothing like what people see on the small (or large) screen at home. I loved seeing people sit on the edge of their seats when Andrew Basso was in the water torture tank, and the quizzical expressions when they were trying to figure out who Dan Sperry was and what kind of magician he is, and the gasps from the audience when Aaron Crow shot an arrow through an apple on a volunteer's head. Marvelous@ I loved every minute of it.

And one of the interesting things that I didn't even think of until later during our conversation was that there were no large "box" illusions like zig-zags, sub trunks and Origami. Yet their skills and personalities reached and resonated to the highest seat in the back of the balcony.

If you haven't yet seen "The Illusionists" or even if you have, then you will enjoy this podcast with some of the cast and crew.

http://www.magicsam.com/ Direct from Broadway , the world's best-selling magic show is touring the United States! This amazing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of seven of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. The Illusionists has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage.

View fullsize Kevin James and Antonio Hoyos as "Charlie Chaplin"
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Trying to get the whole cast together is darn near impossible. I tried but was only able to wrangle a few of the guys. But as a bonus, we get to hear from David Williamson who showed up mid-way into the podcast. Jeff Hobson had a prior commitment to travel back home for his son's high school graduation ceremony, but he arranged to have David Williamson fill in for him on Saturday. This was a unique opportunity because it is rare when any of the cast have to miss a show. The hilarity that ensued was spontaneous and fun. But what else would you expect when you have both Jeff and David in the same room?

After we finished recording the podcast, we retired to the lobby for a light lunch when several of the crew were heading over to the theater for rehearsal and to prepare for that evening's Friday night show. As Antonio Hoyos walked by, Jeff suggested that I corner him for a few quick stories which I did. Antonio used to work with Siegfried and Roy but for the past several years has performed as Charlie Chaplin "living  doll" (little person) with Kevin James. He did have some great stories that, if we had the time, could make for a separate and complete podcast.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

The Magic Compass brings you Breaking Magic News, Viral Videos, Exclusive Offers and Specials, Magic in the Media, Links to Hot Topic Blogs, Podcasts, Regular Webcasts Contests and Polls. You can follow this page at http://www.magic-compass.com or c…

The Magic Compass brings you Breaking Magic News, Viral Videos, Exclusive Offers and Specials, Magic in the Media, Links to Hot Topic Blogs, Podcasts, Regular Webcasts Contests and Polls. You can follow this page at http://www.magic-compass.com or clicking on the banner above.

Tagged with Jeff Hobson, Kevin James, Aaron Crow, Adam Trent, Antonio Hoyos, David Williamson.

June 18, 2015 by Scott Wells.
  • June 18, 2015
  • Scott Wells
  • Jeff Hobson
  • Kevin James
  • Aaron Crow
  • Adam Trent
  • Antonio Hoyos
  • David Williamson
  • Post a comment
Comment

The Magic Word The Magic Word

A Podcast for Magicians, About Magicians, Hosted by a Full Time Professional Magician, Scott Wells

This podcast is totally free for everyone to enjoy. This is provided to you out of love and respect for our art of magic. If you enjoy the podcasts and other material on The Magic Word, then your financial support will be greatly appreciated and help offset the monthly hosting service fee as well as the hardware and software to produce this podcast. Just click on the "Donate " button at the top of this page to make a one time donation through PayPal.

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In May 2024, Scott Wells had the distinguished honor of receiving a “Special Fellowship” from the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle) for the Magic Word Podcast which promotes “not only personal stories of fascinating individuals, but also fellowship amongst our extended family of artists and entertainers everywhere.”

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FISM 2025 Daily Reports from Turin, Italy We are in the middle of the World Championship of Magic in Turin, Italy. Join us and/or catch up on the daily podcast updates on FISM 2025.
#fism2025
#fismturin
#turinitaly
#italy
#magic
#worldchampionshipofm
Another delightful day under the Tuscan sun in Siena and other cities I can't spell, but enjoying the sun, the food, the wine, and the culture. And the Gelato is amazing. #gelato #siena #italy
A tour of the Chianti Classico region. Two wineries and a sunset Tuscan dinner followed by, of course, gellato. #chianti
From Turin to Parma where we tried the music,  cheese, prosciutto,  wine, and Gelato. #parma
Under the Tuscan sun with truffle hunting, a cooking class, and wine. #tuscany
FISM 2025 Daily Reports from Turin, Italy We are in the middle of the World Championship of Magic in Turin, Italy. Join us and/or catch up on the daily podcast updates on FISM 2025.
#fism2025
#fismturin
#turinitaly
#italy
#magic
#worldchampionshipofm
We departed for Turin and arrived in time for FISM registration, street magic, and dinner. #turino #FISM2025
Our most amazing day yet! So full of surprises, good food, great wine, and amazing magic artifacts. #cherascoitaly #museodellamagia #cherasco

The Magic Word Has been recognized by FeedSpot as the # 1 magician podcast in the world. Thank you all for your support and for listening throughout the years.

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