Jessica Jane Brings Fire and Magic to Penn & Teller: Fool Us with “Don’t Try This at Home!”

 When magician Jessica Jane stepped onto the stage of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, she brought something a little more dangerous than the usual card trick. Combining fire, illusion and theatrical showmanship, Jessica delivered a performance designed to capture the attention of both the audience and two of magic's most recognizable performers.

Her appearance aired on August 3, 2017, during the show's fourth season, in an episode titled 50/50 Chance. Filmed at the Penn & Teller Theater at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, the episode also featured magicians Matt Johnson, Siegfried Tieber and Jason Fields.

Playing with Fire on National Television

Jessica's routine, titled Don't Try This at Home!, showcased her specialty in fire magic. Rather than relying on traditional playing cards or everyday objects, she incorporated flames into her performance, bringing an additional element of danger and visual excitement to the stage.

Fire magic presents a unique challenge for performers. Beyond the illusion itself, the magician must combine precise timing, carefully rehearsed choreography and strong audience engagement while working with an inherently hazardous element.

Jessica's appearance demonstrated how fire can become part of a larger theatrical magic presentation, creating a spectacle suited to the bright lights of Las Vegas.

More Than a Television Magician

Jessica Jane's career extends well beyond her appearance on Fool Us. Based in Los Angeles, she has headlined on international cruise ships, including Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line.

She has also entertained American service members overseas through Armed Forces Entertainment and appeared in Netflix's Prince of Peoria. Her television credits additionally include Penn & Teller: Try This at Home.

Her combination of theatrical magic and fire performance has helped distinguish her from more traditional stage magicians.

Watch Jessica Jane's Performance

Whether you're a longtime magic enthusiast or simply enjoy spectacular television performances, Jessica Jane's Fool Us appearance offers an entertaining look at the theatrical possibilities of fire magic.

Darwin Ortiz Collection (10 Video set) video DOWNLOAD

Now available at www.magiciansmagicshop.com

 10 Videos!

Over 15 hours!
67 full-featured card routines performed & explained!

The superb, elegant card magic of Darwin Ortiz - encompassing impromptu miracles, presentational showpieces and gambling routines Includes:

• At the Card Table, Volumes 1-3
• CardShark, Voluesm 1-3
• Scams & Fantasies with Cards, Volumes 1-4

L&L Publishing has combined three classic Darwin Ortiz sets into one 10-Video set

At The Card Table, Volumes 1-3

Darwin Ortiz makes his living with a deck of playing cards. As a full-time professional close-up magician and gambling consultant, he is constantly in demand to appear at colleges and business conventions, as well as consult with casinos worldwide. His corporate clients have included IBM, American Express, Aetna and Price Waterhouse. He is considered to be the world's foremost expert on crooked gambling and his books written for the public on the subject are said to be the best of the genre. Darwin Ortiz has brought the art of sleight-of-hand to a new level of perfection. He is a rarity, an expert who is as entertaining as he is informative. Now Darwin shares his magical secrets with you, detailing some of the effects that have made him one of magic's most respected performers.

• VOLUME 1: Jumping Gemini, The Vegas Shuffle, Darwin's 3-Card Monte, The Pinky Count, Darwin's Wild Card, Hitchcock Aces, The Dream Card, The Zarrow Shuffle.
• VOLUME 2: Greek Poker, Modern Jazz Aces, Regal Aces, Back Off, Nine-Card Location, Do As I Did
• VOLUME 3: Mindbender, Jackpot, Fast Shuffle, The Card Warp Deck, Mexican Poker, The Ultimate Cardshark

CardShark, Volumes 1-3

Virtually every review of the CardShark material raved about it from every aspect-plot, presentation, method and entertainment value. What do the top three magazine reviewers have to say about the material in CardShark?

"The material is extraordinarily dazzling . . . Highest recommendation." Mike Close, Magic Magazine

"This is truly exceptional card magic . . . Highest recommendation." Phil Wilmarth, Linking Ring Magazine

"A wealth of material for the serious Cardician." Jamy Ian Swiss, Genii Magazine

• VOLUME 1: The Cross, Psychotronic Card, The Showdown, One-Handed Poker Deal, The Unholy Three, Museum Piece, Four to One, plus numerous sleights and moves!
• VOLUME 2: Kartenkunste, The Phantom Card, Signature Effect, Beyond Sleight-of-Hand, Blind Aces (performance only), The Marker, Darwin's Poker Deal, Harry in Your Pocket.
• VOLUME 3: Blockbuster, From the Cellar, Beat the Dealer, Pick-Up on South Street, Time & Again, Face-Up Centers, The Sting (performance only), Mr. Lucky

Scams & Fantasies with Cards, Volumes 1-4

Throughout this entire set of groundbreaking videos, Darwin provides psychological insights, presentational angles, performing tips and suggestions based on his extensive experience performing these effects for real audiences. The plots, presentations, methods and handlings are all designed for maximum audience impact. Impossible effects, entertaining presentations, rock-solid construction and performing wisdom combine to produce a must-have set of videos for all lovers of great card magic!

• VOLUME 1: The Last Laugh, Fastest Gun Alive, Darwin's Ambitious Card, Appointment in Samarra, Hitchcock Travelers, Ultimate Oil & Water, Ultimate Fusion
• VOLUME 2: Pass the Garbage, Remote Control, Maximum Risk, No Way Out, The Color of Money, Liar's Poker, God of Gamblers
• VOLUME 3: The Quick & The Dead, Walkaround Triumph, Cannibal Holocaust, Ace in the Pocket, Beat the Devil, The Zen Master
• VOLUME 4: Déja Vu Poker, The Brush, Combination Cull, Shark Attack, The Professional, Raw Deal

Happy Birthday, Jasper Maskelyne! The Magician Who Took His Illusions to War

 On this day in magic history, September 29, 1902, British magician Jasper Maskelyne was born in Wandsworth, London.

Today marks the 124th anniversary of his birth, and his story remains one of the most fascinating—and debated—in the history of magic.

Born into one of Britain's most celebrated magical families, Maskelyne followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, John Nevil Maskelyne, and his father, Nevil Maskelyne, both prominent figures in British stage magic.

Born Into a Family of Magicians

Magic was practically the family business.

His grandfather helped establish St. George's Hall in London as a celebrated venue for magic and theatrical illusions. Jasper grew up surrounded by performances, mechanical inventions and elaborate stage productions.

His first appearance onstage reportedly happened at just three years old, when he wandered into a performance at St. George's Hall.

In 1912, he made a more formal appearance assisting David Devant at the first Royal Command Performance for music hall artists.

By the late 1920s, Jasper was managing St. George's Hall and subsequently developed a career touring British variety theaters.

The Magician Goes to War

When World War II began, Maskelyne volunteered for military service.

He was eventually deployed to North Africa, where his knowledge of stagecraft, mechanics and illusion became relevant to the military's efforts to deceive enemy forces.

Maskelyne was associated with experimental camouflage work, dummy military equipment and instruction in escape and evasion techniques. He also taught Allied personnel how to conceal small objects, including maps and compasses, inside everyday items.

These activities helped establish his enduring nickname: The War Magician.

Did He Really Make an Entire Harbor Disappear?

Over the years, extraordinary stories have circulated about Maskelyne's wartime achievements, including claims that he helped conceal major military installations and created enormous illusions to confuse enemy aircraft.

His own 1949 book, Magic—Top Secret, helped popularize these accounts.

However, historians and researchers have questioned the scale of his personal involvement in some of the most spectacular operations attributed to him.

While his military service and involvement in deception work are documented, the more dramatic stories should be distinguished from established historical facts.

That uncertainty has made his story an enduring subject of investigation among both military historians and magic enthusiasts.

Life After the War

Following World War II, Maskelyne returned to performing before eventually moving to Africa.

He settled in Nairobi, Kenya, where he pursued other business and professional interests, including establishing a driving school.

Jasper Maskelyne died on March 15, 1973, at the age of 70.

His legacy combines an established career in theatrical magic with an unusual chapter in the history of military deception.

More than a century after his birth, researchers continue to investigate the man behind the legend and the extent of his contributions during World War II.

Today, Magic News Daily remembers a magician whose career extended far beyond the theater and whose remarkable story continues to capture the imagination.

Happy Birthday, Jasper Maskelyne!

September 29, 1902 – March 15, 1973

Debbie McGee Joins New UK and Ireland Tour of Grease the Musical

 From the world of magic to the halls of Rydell High! British entertainer and magician Debbie McGee has been announced as Miss Lynch in the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of Grease the Musical, which opens at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on April 23, 2027.

For magic fans, McGee needs little introduction. She became a household name alongside her late husband, legendary British magician Paul Daniels, appearing on The Paul Daniels Magic Show and performing together on stages throughout the United Kingdom.

From Magic Assistant to Entertainment Icon

McGee's entertainment career began with dance. After training at the Royal Ballet School, she performed professionally before joining The Paul Daniels Summer Show in 1979.

She went on to become Daniels' longtime stage partner, appearing in his television series and major theatrical productions, including engagements in London's West End.

In 1991, she became one of the first female magicians admitted to The Magic Circle, which subsequently presented her with its prestigious Maskelyne Award for outstanding service to British magic. She now serves as the organization's Honorary Vice President.

A New Chapter in Grease

McGee will portray Miss Lynch, the formidable teacher at Rydell High, in the new touring production.

Directed by Nikolai Foster, with choreography by Arlene Phillips, the production brings the familiar story of Danny, Sandy and their classmates back to British and Irish theaters.

The tour opens in Plymouth before traveling to cities including Cardiff, Newcastle, Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Celebrating 50 Years in Show Business

The announcement comes during a particularly special year for McGee.

In 2026, she celebrates her 50th year in show business and the release of her autobiography, A Magical Life.

Her career has encompassed magic, ballet, television, radio and theater. She also reached the final of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 and won its 2019 Christmas special.

For generations of magic fans who grew up watching Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee, her return to a major touring theatrical production offers another opportunity to enjoy a performer whose career has been closely connected with British magic history.

The new production of Grease opens April 23, 2027.

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Fifteen: A Magical Cards Across — A Classic Card Mystery Comes to Life

 Sometimes the most entertaining magic doesn't require elaborate props, expensive equipment or a massive stage. All it takes is a deck of playing cards and a mystery that seems impossible to explain.

The video Fifteen (A Magical Cards Across) features a premise that has fascinated magicians and audiences for generations: playing cards apparently traveling invisibly from one location to another.

A Classic of Card Magic

The Cards Across plot has become a favorite among close-up magicians and stage performers alike.

The basic idea is wonderfully simple. Two separate groups of cards are counted, and the magician apparently causes cards to travel invisibly from one group to the other. When the cards are counted again, the numbers have mysteriously changed.

Variations of this classic routine have been developed for everything from intimate close-up performances to large theatrical productions, sometimes using oversized playing cards or audience volunteers.

MAGIC ON THE GO

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What makes Cards Across particularly interesting is that the audience can understand the mystery immediately. They don't need to remember complicated instructions or follow an elaborate story. They simply need to watch the cards and keep track of how many there should be.

The Magic of an Impossible Journey

Fifteen (A Magical Cards Across) offers viewers an opportunity to enjoy this enduring premise.

For magicians, the Cards Across plot also demonstrates how presentation, timing and audience participation can transform an apparently straightforward card trick into an entertaining theatrical experience.

The real appeal isn't necessarily the number of cards involved. It's the moment when an audience discovers that something they believed was impossible has apparently happened right in front of them.

Whether you're a longtime magic enthusiast or simply enjoy a good card mystery, this is a wonderful reason to revisit one of card magic's enduring plots.

Magician Jafo Brings Coin Magic to Penn & Teller: Fool Us

 Sometimes the smallest objects can create the biggest mysteries in magic!

Magician Jafo takes the spotlight in a performance of coin magic on The CW's hit television series Penn & Teller: Fool Us, bringing one of magic's classic disciplines to a stage known for showcasing extraordinary performers from around the world.

The Art of Coin Magic

Coin magic has fascinated audiences for generations. Unlike elaborate stage illusions involving enormous boxes, theatrical lighting and complicated machinery, coin magic often relies on ordinary objects and the magician's ability to make the impossible appear to happen right before an audience's eyes.

It's a demanding branch of close-up magic, where precise movements, timing, misdirection and presentation all play important roles.

For performers appearing on Fool Us, the challenge is particularly interesting. They're not simply entertaining a theater full of spectators; they're also performing for two of the most experienced magicians in the business.

Taking on Penn & Teller

Since its debut, Penn & Teller: Fool Us has provided magicians with an international platform to showcase their creativity and technical abilities.

The premise is simple: perform a magic trick for Penn & Teller and see whether the legendary duo can determine how it was accomplished.

Jafo's featured appearance puts coin magic in the spotlight, reminding viewers that even the simplest-looking objects can become the foundation of a memorable magical performance.

Whether you're a professional magician, an aspiring sleight-of-hand artist or simply someone who enjoys watching great magic, coin performances are always worth studying.

Barry Mitchell’s Chain of Sin – “I Blew It & Jesus Bled It”

A powerful gospel magic routine from Barry Mitchell!

Chain of Sin is a visual gospel presentation designed to illustrate the message of sin, sacrifice, and redemption through an easy-to-follow chain effect.

Using contrasting colored chains, the performer demonstrates how mankind is bound by sin and separated from God. During the presentation, the chains apparently magically exchange positions, creating a strong visual moment representing Jesus taking our place and paying the price for sin.

The routine was created specifically for gospel magicians, Christian entertainers, church programs, Sunday schools, youth ministries, and other faith-based performances. The original presentation and instructions are included.

Includes: colored plastic chains and original Barry Mitchell instructions/presentation.