Magic Video Spotlight: Murray Hatfield & Teresa Bring a Classic Illusion to Penn & Teller: Fool Us

 For today's Magic Video Spotlight, we're looking back at Canadian illusionists Murray Hatfield and Teresa and their appearance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us.

The duo appeared during Season 4 of the hit magic series in an episode titled “Teller Flips a Bird,” originally broadcast on July 27, 2017. It was a particularly magic-packed episode that also featured Misty Lee, Shin Lim and Andi Gladwin.

For their attempt to fool Penn & Teller, Murray and Teresa brought something quite different from the card and close-up magic frequently seen on the program: large-scale stage illusion.

Before their performance, Murray explained that their specialty was working with people rather than cards and coins—making people appear, vanish, float and seemingly get cut into pieces. Teresa also discussed one of the realities audiences rarely think about: performing inside illusion apparatus can be physically demanding and potentially dangerous, requiring considerable work to make everything appear effortless.

Taking Metamorphosis to the Fool Us Stage

Their performance centered around their presentation of Metamorphosis, the famous illusion concept in which two performers impossibly exchange places.

Murray introduced the routine with a simple question based on the idea that two bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time—and then he and Teresa proceeded to challenge that idea through illusion.

Although the performance did not fool Penn & Teller, that hardly meant the veteran magicians weren't impressed. Contemporary coverage of their appearance records Penn praising their presentation as an exceptional version of Metamorphosis.

And that's an important distinction that sometimes gets lost when discussing Fool Us.

Not receiving a Fool Us trophy doesn't mean an act failed. Penn & Teller may understand the underlying method while still having enormous respect for the construction, originality and performance of the routine.

Decades of Performing Together

Murray and Teresa's partnership goes back much further than their television appearance.

According to their official biography, the two began working together in 1992 and went on to perform internationally across four continents. Their career has included corporate events, casinos, festivals, fairs, cruise ships and appearances at Hollywood's Magic Castle. They have also received numerous honors from within the magic community, including being named Canada's Magicians of the Year by the Canadian Association of Magicians.

Their experience with large-scale illusion was certainly evident during their Fool Us appearance.

In an era when television magic frequently focuses on close-up effects that can be framed tightly for the camera, it's always interesting to see performers bring a traditional stage illusion onto the Fool Us set.

Murray and Teresa demonstrated that a classic principle doesn't have to feel old. Presentation, choreography, timing and the relationship between the performers can make familiar magic feel fresh again.

And sometimes fooling the audience is every bit as important as fooling Penn & Teller.

Great Nicola Magic Festival Returns to Monmouth This Weekend

 Magic history will come alive in Monmouth, Illinois, on Saturday, September 26, as the community celebrates one of its most famous entertainers during the 7th Annual Great Nicola Magic Festival.

Hosted at the Warren County History Museum, this year's festival will feature three family-friendly magic shows along with a celebration of the remarkable career and legacy of The Great Nicola.

Who Was The Great Nicola?

Born William Mozart Nicol, The Great Nicola became an internationally known magician and illusionist while maintaining his home in Monmouth.

According to the City of Monmouth, Nicola wasn't simply a performer. He was also an inventor and showman who developed innovative magic apparatus in his Monmouth workshop, with his work helping influence the grand illusion tradition that followed.

His career took him around the world, but his connection to Monmouth remained strong.

The city's magic history extends beyond Nicola himself. His father John Nicol performed as Nicoli, while his brother Charles performed under names including Von Arx and Chasan. Nicola's wife Marion was also an important partner in his stage performances.

Even Nicola's famous performing elephant, Nizie, is part of the area's history.

Three Magic Shows Planned for the Festival

This year's Great Nicola Magic Festival runs from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Warren County History Museum and features three performers:

T.J. Regal — 2:00 p.m.
William Pack — 4:00 p.m.
David Casas — 6:00 p.m.

Tickets will be available at the door. Adult admission is $10, youth ages 13–18 are $3, and children 12 and younger can attend free with a paid adult.

Keeping Magic History Alive

Events like the Great Nicola Magic Festival offer something especially valuable to the magic community.

Magic has an incredibly rich history, but much of that history can easily disappear as generations pass. Festivals and museums that preserve original artifacts and tell the stories of performers such as Nicola help introduce those performers to audiences who may never have encountered their work otherwise.

The Warren County History Museum maintains artifacts connected to The Great Nicola and uses the annual festival both as entertainment and as an opportunity to educate visitors about the history and art of magic.

For magicians, magic historians and families interested in discovering a fascinating piece of entertainment history, Monmouth will be celebrating one of its hometown legends this Saturday.

Warren County History Museum – Great Nicola Magic Festival information

Howie Mandel Offers to Personally Back a Las Vegas Show for Hundred Fingers After AGT Finale

 

South Korean magic group Hundred Fingers delivered its final performance on America’s Got Talent Tuesday night, and the reaction from judge Howie Mandel may have opened a major new door for the group regardless of what happens in tonight’s results.

Hundred Fingers was one of the Top 10 acts performing in the Season 21 finals on September 22. The group has had a particularly strong connection with Mandel throughout the season, earning his Golden Buzzer during both the auditions and quarterfinals.

After watching their finale performance, Mandel went beyond simply praising the act. He called it the “best magic show I’ve ever seen” and told the performers that if they do not win the competition and no one offers them their own room in Las Vegas, he would be willing to put up his own money to produce their Vegas show.

That is an extraordinary endorsement for a magic act appearing on the show.

Judges Clash Over the Performance

Not every judge responded quite as enthusiastically.

Mel B praised how far Hundred Fingers had come and particularly liked that the finale routine incorporated different levels and presented a story the audience could follow. She did, however, point out that she noticed moments where the performers were not completely synchronized.

Mandel wasn't interested in hearing much criticism.

As Mel B attempted to finish her comments, Mandel interrupted her and eventually grabbed her microphone, creating one of the more chaotic moments of the live finale. Sofia Vergara, meanwhile, described the group's routine as a performance suited perfectly to the AGT finals.

A Big Night for Magic on AGT

Hundred Fingers wasn't the only magician in the finals. Solo magician Geno Ploeger also reached the Top 10 and performed Tuesday night, giving magic two representatives in the Season 21 finale.

For Hundred Fingers, however, Mandel's unexpected offer could mean that their AGT journey leads to something much larger.

The winner of Season 21 is scheduled to be revealed during the September 23 results show on NBC.

Whether Hundred Fingers leaves the competition with the title or not, having one of AGT's longtime judges publicly offer to help put them on a Las Vegas stage is quite a way to finish their final performance.

And for magic fans, tonight's results will certainly be worth watching.

Foiled Again by Bizzaro

Now available at www.magiciansmagicshop.com

 Everyone's seen someone bite a coin to test if it's real-now you can take that moment to a whole new level. "Foiled Again" is a sweet, surreal piece of visual magic from the wonderfully twisted mind of Bizzaro.

The effect is simple but oh-so-satisfying. You take a shiny silver coin and literally peel off the outer layer like it's foil, revealing a chocolate center underneath. Then, with a quick rub, the foil reseals and the coin instantly turns solid again-ready to hand out.

It's a fast, funny, and totally unexpected moment of magic that works just as well for kids as it does for adults. Best of all, it's super easy to do and slips perfectly into any coin routine or close-up set.

Each "Foiled Again" set comes with everything you need, including gimmicks for a dollar, half dollar, quarter, and a generic coin (about quarter-sized) so you can perform it with most currencies. You'll also get full video instruction from Bizzaro, teaching you every move, detail, and secret behind this delightfully deceptive miracle.

Emojinary by Neta Bresler

 Now available at www.magiciansmagicshop.com

• A universal prediction or mind reading routine. Emojis are recognizable to everyone, everywhere.
• Predict what emojis a spectator randomly types in (on their phone!)
• Or use the deck of emoji cards to perform predictions or reveal information as a kicker ending.
• Includes custom deck of emoji cards and access to the Emojinary app.
• Numerous routines taught.

Description:

An exciting new world of magic and mentalism using something everyone recognizes: Emojis. From predicting the future to reading minds, and even mind control, Emojinary by Neta Bresler and Vanishing Inc. is an easy-to-use tool that you can use anywhere from close-up to stage.

Emojinary is more than a singular trick. It's a practical and customizable system that uses a custom-designed app and set of marked cards to perform a variety of jaw-dropping miracles. You can use them separately or combine them together for one-of-a-kind routines.

Here's just one example of what you can do with Emojinary:

You borrow someone's phone, open the Emoji keyboard and then turn the phone face-down before inviting them to blindly tap some Emojis. They then turn the phone toward themselves and look at the Emojis they hit. Impossibly, you can read their mind and tell them exactly which ones they chose. But that's not all. As an extra kicker, you reveal that their choices were not as random as they seemed. They will freak out when they discover the Emojis spell their name.

This is just one of the 10+ professional routines taught in the incredible 2.5 hour download. You'll learn effects using your phone, a borrowed phone (NFC tags included), or even no phone at all. These easy-to-do effects aren't limited to close-up performances either because you'll also receive the fonts/files needed to create larger predictions for parlor or stage shows.

Emojinary really has limitless possibilities and the private Facebook group you'll gain access to is where many of the best new ones will live.

App Details

Emojinary is an iOS app designed by Joshua Riley that works with iMessage, WhatsApp, the Notes app, email and even Google searches. You can create custom reveals and predictions on the spot or even send them ahead of time.

About the Cards

The Emojinary deck is printed on professional grade stock and handles like a dream. It looks just like an authentic deck of children's game cards. Which is exactly why your audience will never suspect that it also contains a sneaky marking system. Beyond using it in conjunction with the app to create one-of-a-kind predictions and matching effects, you can also use the Emojinary deck to perform unique takes on all your favorite card magic classics.

What You Receive:

• Emojinary app
• Custom marked Emoji deck
• 2.5 hour tutorial
• Fonts/files for larger reveals
• Private Facebook group access

Perform memorable magic and mentalism that leaves a lasting impression. Get Emojinary today!

Cebu Magicians Explain Why Learning the Secret Is Only the Beginning

 Knowing how a magic trick works is very different from knowing how to make an audience care about it.

Three members of the Cebu Magicians Association recently joined SunStar Cebu’s Beyond the Headlines program to discuss the practice, patience and human connection behind a successful magic performance.

During the interview, “Beyond the Illusion: The Art of Magic,” bizarre magician Marvin Cabanes, mentalist Nicel Quezon and close-up magician JV Tagaan described how their different personalities led them toward very different areas of magic.

Despite those differences, all three shared a central belief: the method behind a trick is only the beginning. Creating a memorable experience requires years of practice, an understanding of the audience and the ability to make the magic feel personal.

Different Performers Find Different Forms of Magic

Cabanes has practiced magic for more than 17 years and specializes in bizarre magic. This theatrical branch of the art often replaces familiar playing cards and coins with unusual objects and darker presentations.

The unfamiliar nature of those objects helps create suspense because audiences are unsure what to expect. However, Cabanes stressed that performers must select their material responsibly. Effects involving needles, blades or other potentially dangerous objects may be appropriate for adults but should be changed when performing for children.

Quezon found his place in mentalism, where psychology, verbal cues and observations of human behavior become part of the presentation.

He explained that mentalism is not about genuinely predicting someone’s future or reading thoughts. Instead, it uses communication and audience interaction to create the experience of mind reading.

Tagaan’s outgoing personality drew him toward close-up magic. This style allows him to speak directly with spectators and present short routines at tables, cocktail parties, weddings and corporate events.

Performance Requires More Than Technique

Learning the mechanics of a trick can sometimes happen quickly. Becoming comfortable enough to perform it under real-world conditions is a much longer process.

“Learning the method is easy, but performing it perfectly takes time,” Cabanes explained.

A magician must be able to execute the effect while speaking, managing volunteers, responding to unexpected situations and maintaining the audience’s attention. Nervousness can make even a well-practiced move feel much more difficult when spectators are watching.

Cabanes suggested that fully mastering an individual effect can require between five and seven years of experimentation and performance.

That distinction is important in an age when secrets to thousands of tricks can be found online. Access to a method does not automatically provide the timing, confidence or audience-management skills needed to turn it into entertaining magic.

Making the Experience Personal

Quezon explained that personalization can transform a familiar card trick into a meaningful souvenir. Having someone sign a card, write a birthday on it or add a drawing gives the object a personal connection that remains after the trick is finished.

Tagaan also emphasized the importance of reading body language. Before approaching guests at a private event, a close-up magician must determine whether they are interested, how they are interacting and when it is appropriate to enter their space.

Those observations allow a performer to adjust the pacing and style of the presentation rather than delivering every trick exactly the same way to every group.

Patience, Personality and Human Connection

The conversation offered an important lesson for aspiring magicians: there is no single correct path into magic.

A talkative performer might thrive in close-up magic. Someone interested in psychology may be drawn to mentalism, while a theatrical storyteller might feel at home performing bizarre magic.

Whatever specialty a magician chooses, improvement requires patience. New performers can begin with everyday objects, seek advice from experienced magicians and gradually test their material for real audiences.

The secret may explain how a trick works, but it is the performer’s personality, judgment and relationship with the audience that transforms that trick into an experience.

Source: SunStar Cebu

Michigan Magician Chad Banister Uses Rubik’s Cubes to Create Human Connections

 Michigan magician Chad Banister is using Rubik’s Cubes, storytelling and audience participation to demonstrate that magic can offer more than a moment of amazement—it can bring people together.

During a recent appearance on Indianapolis television station WISH-TV, Banister discussed how his performances use magic as a metaphor for finding connections amid the chaos of everyday life.

School schedules, jobs, bills and countless other responsibilities can make life feel as scrambled as a Rubik’s Cube. Banister’s message is that making even one meaningful connection can begin bringing order to that chaos.

Finding Connections One Side at a Time

The standard 3x3x3 Rubik’s Cube has more than 43 quintillion possible combinations, making it an ideal symbol for the complicated choices and challenges people encounter.

During the television segment, Banister demonstrated his skills by solving a scrambled cube while it was concealed inside a bag—a feat he completed in less than two seconds.

The cube’s six sides also support the larger message behind his performance. Finding one connection can lead to another, just as matching the colors on one side eventually leads to completing the entire puzzle.

“Wonder is something we still never outgrow,” Banister told WISH-TV.

That idea is at the heart of his work. Rather than presenting magic simply as a puzzle to be solved, Banister uses each performance to encourage audiences to recognize the wonder and human connections that can easily be overlooked in daily life.

From the Classroom to the Stage

In addition to performing professionally, Banister works as a substitute teacher. His classroom experience helps him communicate with audiences of different ages and backgrounds.

Banister performs at schools, theaters, festivals and corporate events, adapting his combination of magic, storytelling and audience participation to each setting.

His work in education extends beyond performing. Banister also conducts magic workshops where participants can learn classic principles and techniques. During the WISH-TV appearance, he demonstrated a traditional silk effect called Knots on a Silk, which he originally discovered in a magic book.

Teaching effects like this allows Banister to share not only the secret behind a trick but also the history, creativity and practice that make magic an art form.

Magic With a Meaning

Rubik’s Cube magic has become increasingly popular because it is colorful, recognizable and easy for audiences to understand. Everyone knows that solving a cube ordinarily requires time, patience and careful concentration.

Banister takes that familiar object and gives it a deeper purpose. The cube becomes a visual representation of chaos, problem-solving and the connections that gradually bring everything together.

His performance is another example of how magicians can use familiar objects to communicate ideas that reach far beyond the trick itself.

More information about Chad Banister, his upcoming appearances and his magic workshops can be found at ChadBanisterMagic.com and through his Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages.

Source: WISH-TV