|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
Matt New user 41 Posts |
I hope I spelled his name right.
I'm not a regular visitor to this forum. But I had the opportunity to see Andre Kole perform some of his illusions last night and was pretty impressed. It was a relatively small show at a high school auditorium, the primary purpose of which was to preach the gospel. But there was something about seeing these illusions done on a high school stage that made them more impressive. The whole special effects/camera trick thing that sits in the back of one's head when watching these things on TV was gone. He did one where he stepped through a woman who was in the typical woman-in-the-box, box, walking down the box from her chest to her knees to tickle her feet. It was nuts. He did the one (I can see I'm out of my element here as I have no vocabulary for what I'm trying to say) where the girl's head is boxed separately and then moves around some, but the rest of her body and torso were in plain sight the whole time. And for a finale he vanished a statue of liberty from the top, up. It was pretty cool. He did a couple others as well. From his promotional material he appears to be quite the creative dude, worked with Copperfield, etc. I was just curious what anyone had to say about this man. Thanks. Matt |
|||||||||
Joe M. Turner Loyal user Atlanta, Georgia 248 Posts |
Andre Kole. He vanishes the Statue of Liberty from the *bottom* upwards.
I really enjoy going to his shows when he's around Atlanta. He's not the smooth performer that some others are, but he's a pro with a purpose. His voice was higher in pitch than I would have liked, personally -- it made it a little difficult for me to listen to him. |
|||||||||
Matt New user 41 Posts |
Right, bottom up that's what I meant (and it makes more sense)
Matt |
|||||||||
Chad Sanborn Inner circle my fingers hurt from typing, 2205 Posts |
Andre is a worker! He is very original. You won't see him doing somebody elses routines. But you will see others doing his! Yes he has collaborated with Copperfield and many others. He is the inventor of several illusions that other performers use. Too many to list here. The man is simply a creative genius. It is a shame that he is not more well known in the magic community. We could all learn a lot from him.
Chad |
|||||||||
Jeb Sherrill Inner circle Elsewhere 1161 Posts |
Yes, well to say he collaborated with Copperfield is a bit of an understatement. If it weren't for Andre and Frans H., he might not have a show.
Andre is somewhat boring to watch, but I love going to his shows knowing that every illusion (to the best of my knowledge) that he does, he invented. He's also a really nice guy. I went out to eat with him and his crew once after a show and he even picked up the tab. Great guy! Sable
I don't believe in reincarnation, but I may have in another life.
|
|||||||||
David Todd Inner circle 2328 Posts |
Yes, Three CHEERS for Andre Kole!
The man is one of THE creative geniuses in illusioneering. He is one of our most under-appreciated illusionists (along with Chuck Jones). Also, does anyone know that Andre invented the venerable "Spikes Thru Balloon" still marketed by Mak Magic (and others)? It's still a darn clever effect. Too bad it's one of those tricks that started showing up in kids magic sets in cheap plastic version. I disagree with the comment that Andre's performing style is "boring". I would use the word "subdued" instead. Not a lot of flashing lights, fog machines and dancing/prancing around the stage, but I prefer seeing a presentation style that is a little more dignified, if you know what I mean. The illusions are mind-blowing enough without all the pseudo-rock band theatrics that some illusionists seem to think is necessary. If Andre Kole is in your area be sure to see him. (I just love that levitating coffee cup thingy. Gives me an idea for a trick..........) |
|||||||||
Aedryan Methyus New user 94 Posts |
Speaking of Andre, his son Tim Kole (and Jenny Lynn) is my personal favorite illusionist short of only Copperfield. Does anyone happen to know where I could possibly get my hands on any of his live performances on video, his website address or put me in contact with him? D**n... Andre performs in high school venues? That's not even right... The man is a genius!
Has anyone ever seen Tim Kole and Jenny Lynn perform the penetrating through steel illusion on champions of magic? By far my favorite illusion. Aedryan |
|||||||||
Jeb Sherrill Inner circle Elsewhere 1161 Posts |
Oh, don't get me wrong Dai; I go and see him everytime he's in town. I even had dinner with him when he came through Dallas a few years ago. The man really is a genius, I've just never liked his performing style.
Sable
I don't believe in reincarnation, but I may have in another life.
|
|||||||||
davekilpatrick Loyal user Syracuse, NY 295 Posts |
I first remember Andre Kole from an write up in Genii in 1973. He was pictured performing the thin sawing, which he didn't invent. I don't know if any one single person has invented more stage illusions than Andre Kole. I always watch the David Copperfield credits on TV, and I'd see Kole's name. Now they make the credits so small so they can do promos of their other TV shows that I can't read them anymore.
I read in the 1980s that Kole makes a point to invent a new trick every day (not just stage illusions). I don't know if he's kept it up. The article also says he's invented 3 ways to vanish the moon (seriously!). I have a good buddy in a Christian ministry called Campus Crusade for Christ who says that Kole is actually a staff member for that organization, and does high school and college shows. The first part is straight magic, after the intermission, he does gospel magic. Another friend loaned me a tape of his full show. He's not a Copperfield-style showman. He is quite reserved compared to many performers. But his magic is very strong. It IS surprising more magicians don't know about him. His effects have helped build the careers of many magicians. |
|||||||||
Joe Marotta Special user Can You Believe I Have 944 Posts |
Andre Kole's website is at http://www.andrekole.org
He has a performance schedule posted and sells some items there also. Andre is a wonderful inventer, performer, and person, and the magic community owes him a HUGE THANK YOU! Joe Marotta devoted fan |
|||||||||
John Smetana ???? - 2009 499 Posts |
If I'm not mistaken, Andre Kole was Bob Gurtler in another life. He's certainly been around for a while. And yes he has provided much to magic.
Best thoughts, John Smetana |
|||||||||
Jonathan Inner circle Oklahoma 1223 Posts |
The guy is considered by many to be the best mind in magic over a lifetime of accomplishments. I have seen him in person at a church. He does do world tours every once in a while with bigger venues but does this as a witness and an outreach kind of thing. He makes basically no money doing this and does it only as a service. Hence the smaller venues and the cheap ticket prices. I bought his books and got his autograph. Poor guy, though. He looked so out of it while I was talking with him afterwards. He looked about a week shy of sleep (like he got to a point where he couldn't go any further without sleep, and then lasted a week on top of that). I felt sorry for him, he's getting kind of old for such an incredible schedule.
Great guy, and he even has a Randi-esque 25,000 dollar reward for anyone who can prove they have power. His website and testimony is awesome! He was hired by the government to go and study over in foreign countries the miracles of Jesus (because of his Randi-esqu work in the U.S. and his debunking of proposed powers in foreign lands settling disputes etc.) and prove that they were magic tricks. A pretty zealous athiest at the time, after years of study he was convinced that Jesus was real and that no magic could have been used and converted into a devout Christian. Great man, and I'd love to see him make the moon disappear. Jonathan Grant |
|||||||||
JBmagic Regular user New Jersey 110 Posts |
I really dig his levitation!
Perhaps it is because he does it to a Pink Floyd song I've seen Andre do some really amazing stuff, and if you get a chance to sit and talk with him, he can tell some incredibly interesting stories!
Jay Buchanan
|
|||||||||
knightmagic98 Regular user Frisco, TX 143 Posts |
Just a quick note about Andre....he is a wonderful man. I worked for him for three years, and they were some of the best years of my life. in that time, we played everywhere from a roller skating rink in Mexico to the largest arena in Hong Kong, and everywhere in between. He is a great man, and I am proud to call him my friend.
|
|||||||||
Justin Flom Veteran user 325 Posts |
It is Andre's goal to think of one new illusion a day. Some don't do it in a lifetime!!!!!
Brand new idea never used a day. I saw him lecture at the Fellowship of Christian Magicians |
|||||||||
Darmoe Special user Ohio 741 Posts |
Mr. Cole is most definitely one of the most creative minds in 20th century magic and yes, he once had a completely different (less Evangelic) personna. I've been fortunate to establish a rather unique relationship with the man that is much appreciated. However, I don't think Andre ranks as the "most inventive" mind in modern magic, nor are many of his principles
"standards" of the biz (though a few are heading that direction). I do believe Andre would be in the top 12 contributor/designers of magic for our era. A list that would begin with the likes of Selbit and should probably include Piercy Abbott, Robert Harbin, Alan Wakeling, Eddie Joseph, Ken Whitaker, Rand Woodbury, and of course Jim Stinemeyer, Christian, the Franz, and too Walter (Zaney) Blaney. Working in High Schools? Hey, it made Stan Kramien a multi-millionare! It might be a wise thing to investigate this market rather than shudder at the fact that you saw one of the legends of our day working said circuit.
"I firmly believe that of all the Arts and Crafts of Mentalism, there is nothing more satisfying than one who is a first-class Reader. It is the ultimate in Mentalism..." - Tony Corinda * 13 Steps To Mentalism
|
|||||||||
knightmagic98 Regular user Frisco, TX 143 Posts |
OK, lets get this right...the last name is spelled KOLE. that's it. As for performing in high schools, Andre performs wherever his host books him. It could be a High School auditorium, a YMCA gymnasium, a church chapel, a 5,000 seat performing arts center, and anywhere in between.
|
|||||||||
JBmagic Regular user New Jersey 110 Posts |
I love this guy.
He floats to Pink Floyd.
Jay Buchanan
|
|||||||||
Jorge Gonzalvo New user Spain 71 Posts |
Did Andre Kole published any book with plans of his illusion?
|
|||||||||
knightmagic98 Regular user Frisco, TX 143 Posts |
More than likely not, which illusion are you interested in?
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Grand illusion » » Andre Kole (1 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |