“Nic load” by Nicolae Mihale

Hello, My name is Nicolae Mihale Before I begin I must mention that I hold the cards in my right hand so if you are using the other hand please reverse the actions that I’ m going to describe. Short history I came up with this move while I was practicing the Roy Walton’s paint brush change. I was doing the move while walking on the road and instead of keep doing a double lift every...

Anthony Darkstone In Conversation With Abigail Spinner McBride

We sometimes come across the term, “Renaissance Man.” It is used to describe extremely talented and remarkable people. Abigail Spinner McBride is an extremely talented and remarkable Lady. Therefore, I have every reason to describe Abigail as a “Renaissance Lady.” She is a Spiritual, Esoteric, and Versatile Musician, Singer, Dancer, Percussionist, Writer, Priestess, Businesswoman, and a...

Anthony Darkstone – In Conversation With Jeff McBride

Introduction Those of you familiar with my series, both written & live, will know that I usually have an established way of introducing my Guests. Of necessity, this time I will deviate from my norm. As you peruse, my reasons will become self-evident. It was an unusually cold night in Las Vegas. Christian Diamond, Jason Andrews and I were at Amazing Jonathan’s Halloween Party a few years...

Cups and Balls Housekeeping

Housekeeping? Okay, so what do I mean by housekeeping? Have you ever watched a performer and thought for some reason that they could do better but couldn’t quite put your finger on it? The performance was okay and the magic was strong but there was just something… Have you ever thought that a performer looked lost or didn’t seem to have their finger on the ball (no pun...

Simple Gifts

Recently I’ve been doing a lot of gift magic. Gift magic is a remarkable thing. It can be performed as one piece in a larger performance or as a stand alone effect. But it is so much more than just leaving someone with a souvenir. There is great power in Gift Magic. Gentle power, but power all the same. It builds confidence, it brings us back to the basics and it exalts the art. Dr....

Experiments in Magic Theatre

Enter the Sandman… What if you were called on to play a magical character in a video, film, or play? To be a vampire, for instance, in a Halloween show? Or Merlin? Or Willy Wonka? How about a scary demigod from a comic book, with an edgy modern circus? Or, what if you just want to try something new? To find a new style? To grow as a performer and experiment..? I did, and still do! Welcome...

El Taumaturgo Interview with Jeff McBride

I am starting with a rather cryptic question, please forgive me for that. But I’ve always felt that there is a lot of “magic” in your magic. What’s the way, in your opinion, to surpass a mere exhibition and go into an emotional experience?  Tricks engage the mind as puzzles.  In order to impact your audience on deeper levels, more thought has to be put into the various elements that...

Volunteer Fail!

I have more experience than a lot of people when it comes to being a volunteer from the audience. I’m a woman who loves magic, and that makes it very hard to just blend into the crowd at a magician meeting or event. Over the years, the experience of being called on to stand on stage as a magician’s volunteer has become something I dread, and I don’t think I’m the only one. At every magic show I...

A few thoughts on making a success of this magic malarkey!

I’m just passing on my experience, it may not be for everybody, but it worked for me! First and foremost you need a good mentor – someone you really respect and look up to. (I was lucky enough that my mentor was Roy Johnson, and occasionally Ken Brooke offered me some invaluable advice). I never had a teacher as such, as sometimes this restricts you from developing your own style. This person...

Tales from the Street – to Busk or not to Busk

The day that changed the cause of my life was in the summer 1990! Whilst on a world wide tour doing odd jobs but mostly  selling my hand crafted Jewelry – I returned to the UK for a brief time and  during my stay I went to Covent Garden to visit a shop known as The Bead Shop to replenish my withering stock that i needed  for my hand made crafts. After  this  I went to the well known street...