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einhorn Regular user London 190 Posts |
This is a review of PROFESSIONAL SECRETS – A LIFE IN MAGIC By Geoffrey Durham.
I have known Geoffrey Durham for the past 6 or 7 years. I have had the absolute honour and pleasure to spend many hours listening, brainstorming and learning from this exceptional man. I was delighted to receive a pre-release copy of his new book and wanted to be one of the first to review it. For those of you from outside the UK let me explain that Geoffrey Durham is one of a handful of British TV magicians instantly recognised to millions of public. Over 700 individual TV appearances make this man an expert in his field. In the 70’s and 80’s Geoffrey was a regular performer on childrens TV. He performed under the name The Great Soprendo – a fabulously camp, larger than life, spangley costumed, Spanish magician. The act was hysterically funny, instantly recognisable and very popular. Geoffrey then made a decision to leave the Great Soprendo behind and focus on Geoffrey Durham again. This was the 1990’s and his appearance as a presenter on the many legendary ITV series’ The Best of Magic made him a familiar face in his own right. Until very recently he was also a regular guest presenter on the phenomenally successful cult Channel 4 show Countdown where he managed to perform hundreds of different routines in the most extraordinary conditions. Despite all this, He is rather more modest than the average TV star and perhaps that is his biggest strength - the ability to be hugely successful but quite understated. Not showy or extravagant, or loud and brash but just an exceptionally nice man who knows more about magic than most ever will. I have sat for many hours listening to Geoffrey’s advice and experiences. I am, to be honest, quite jealously upset that a lot of the advice and adventures I have amassed and enjoyed over the years is now about to be available to anyone who cares to buy this incredible new book. But then I pause and realise that most of the advice in this book will be overlooked by so many and I know that I will still have my advantage over my competition because I heed his advice every time I work. It helps to make me a better magician and actually a better person. The first thing that will strike you when you see the book is that it doesn’t look like a magic book. It is more akin to the kind of celebrity autobiography you’d see on the bookshelves at Borders. The quality of the production is first class and refreshingly different. The book begins with a fascinating look at Geoffrey’s early life. How he became interested in magic, his successes and his failures. It is a fascinating overview of the early Durham. This is important, especially if you are unfamiliar with Geoffrey as it helps explain his choice of material and the methods he ultimately chooses. There is an excellent range of tricks in the book which include a one man portable Asrah, the real work on the Gypsy Thread, a wonderful and practical Magic Square routine with a kicker finish, a great dictionary test, a very serviceable Linking Finger Rings routine, 2 Coin in Bottle routines (One of them very original) and so much more. All of these routines are superbly illustrated and explained. They are also routines that Geoffrey has used extensively and successfully in his on shows. However, for the professional, I think the most value will be gained from the various essays. Rhythm is discussed in detail – It is the backbone of our performances and yet so many of us don’t even know what it is. This understanding of Rhythm can change a whole act. It is very thought provoking. How many people with such TV experience write an essay on how to perform magic on TV? Not many, so if you are lucky enough to find yourself with a TV opportunity you better buy this book and heed Geoffrey’s advice – you will save yourself a lot of time and effort. Ultimately, when I open the book and read it, it is as if I can hear Geoffrey speaking. I like the fact that the book is so full of personality that the words seem to form into sounds when they are read. This review is woefully inadequate. It fails to cover the depth of the information, the range of effects, the beauty of the production, the foreword by Wayne Dobson, the tribute chapter to Robert Harbin. Yes, my review falls short by a long way but I hope that you’ll understand my reluctance to glow too much about this important book, that will one day become a must have on any serious magicians’ book shelf. I realise that for many outside the UK Geoffrey Durham may be a virtual unknown, but I can assure every magician that cares about their work, that by buying and reading this book you will only enhance your own work. When someone with this much experience wants to talk to me, I listen and Geoffrey Durham wants to talk to YOU. Reviewed by Nicholas Einhorn |
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Christopher Williams Inner circle Portsmouth, UK 4464 Posts |
Geoffrey is a true legend in the art of Magic, and as you said Nicholas, understated. He can always bring a smile to your face, and I highly anticipate this books release!
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einhorn Regular user London 190 Posts |
In Case there is any doubt at all, please understand that my review above was totally unsolicited.
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
Since you have a pre-release copy I wonder if it has been released yet and, if so, do you have a link to where it is being sold?
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Doug Arden Special user 886 Posts |
Harry:
I don't believe it is available yet. Geoffrey told me his intent was to release it at the Blackpool Convention. |
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
Dang! That's a way off! Keep us posted! I'm looking forward to it!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Markymark Inner circle 1686 Posts |
Me too! Mr. Durham is a brilliant actor as well which explains a lot.
''In memory of a once fluid man,crammed and distorted by the classical mess'' -Bruce Lee
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Geoffrey Durham New user 30 Posts |
Thank you all for your interest - and a very special thank you to Nicholas Einhorn for that amazing review. I just don't know where to put myself! Many, many thanks.
It's true that I'm launching the book at the Blackpool Convention on February 24th, where I'll be doing a lecture, together with a public interview alongside Wayne Dobson. The price of the book will be £27.50 ($55). However, I'm also doing a pre-publication offer of £25.00 (UK only) between February 2nd and February 24th. So if you go to http://www.geoffreydurham.com between those dates, you'll be able to pay via PayPal. U.S. customers should contact Collector's Workshop (www.vikingmagic.com), who are the official U.S. distributors. I do hope you all enjoy the book. |
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
The book is now listed on the Viking website http://www.vikingmagic.com/?nd=full&key=1498
Needless to say it has been ordered and is eagerly awaited!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Ross W Inner circle UK 1778 Posts |
Oh come on, Nick - stop beating about the bush! Did you like it or not?
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bojanbarisic Elite user Croatia 462 Posts |
Simple great. I highly recommend it.
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magiccam New user 3 Posts |
I've got mine and read it from cover to cover (unusual for me) It's brilliant.It's more than just a book of magic tricks it's a book of Knowledge and know how in the world of magic.
If you only buy one book this year then this is the one. |
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StuartNolan Elite user 479 Posts |
I just finished mine this morning and plan to read it again almost immediately. This is one of the best books on the realities of performing wonderful magic for real audiences I have ever read. It is written in an elegantly gentle style, devoid of any of the posturing you get in many magic books, but it will, if taken seriously, encourage you to ask some difficult questions about who you are as a performer. Questions that kept me awake late into the night.
"One should always be a little improbable." - Oscar Wilde
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Elliott Hodges Veteran user England 324 Posts |
Ordered last night and highly excited to recieve it.
REALLY looking forward to it. |
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paulyjr New user 100 Posts |
Half way through mine at the mo'.
Plenty of useful things are secreted within, but I don't think I'll be building his props. |
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Andy the cardician Inner circle A street named after my dad 3362 Posts |
Tempting . . . .
Cards never lie
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StuartNolan Elite user 479 Posts |
Some of the props are challenging to make for me. And some wouldn't suit me and would be difficult to adapt to the look I strive for. I'm certainly considering The Dictionary Test and The Gold Medallion though. With some help from a handyman mate.
"One should always be a little improbable." - Oscar Wilde
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paulyjr New user 100 Posts |
I believe Geoffrey is going to Blackpool and may have a few pre-made book tests to purchase.
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StuartNolan Elite user 479 Posts |
Thanks for that info paulyjr. I cant make Blackpool myself but I can ask a friend to pick one up for me.
"One should always be a little improbable." - Oscar Wilde
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paulyjr New user 100 Posts |
Alternatively you could email him and he might send you one.
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