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Paul Abbey Lecture:
Escapology and the History of Handcuffs
South Downs Magicians
6th October 2010
Review and photo by Paul Bromley MMC, Secretary, South Downs Magicians
This
was the first time Paul Abbey had presented a full evening lecture on Escapology
and the History of Handcuffs – judging by the excellent evening we had, I’m sure
it won’t be the last.
Paul describes himself as “an escapologist who doesn’t do escapology”. Instead,
he uses the apparatus and methodology of the escapologist as part of his act –
it isn’t sold to the audience as escapology but it achieves what Paul calls the
“ooh, ah” factor in the way a traditional escape or release does.
He demonstrated this idea with a silk routine on a female spectator involving
dissolving knots and the silk appearing to pass through the wrist. It was ideal
for close-up work around tables.
Then it was on to a very simple but effective rope tie and release before he
showed us the Siberian Chain Escape using the padlock and chain originally used
on the David Nixon show which the late Ali Bongo had given to Paul.
Paul traces his performance skills to his background as an actor and a great,
great grandfather who was a showman who worked with Charlie Chaplin before the
comic actor moved to the US. This was evident when he treated us to his comedy
escape routine using shackles, two spectators holding a blue cloth as screening
and a lot of fun along the way.
After the break, we were shown a huge array of handcuffs, lockpicking devices
and similar apparatus to that used by Houdini. Paul has a fascination with
watches, clocks and locks through his training as an engineer and he
demonstrated his vast knowledge of this area with very full and detailed
explanations of how all the various devices worked.
He also treated us to many anecdotes of his performances including being
challenged to escape from police handcuffs and the suffering he has endured when
things haven’t always gone according to plan. This reminded us all that
escapology can be dangerous. Paul passed on the advice of a fellow performer
that “if you can’t stand the pain, don’t do it.”
Paul is an excellent teacher who injects a great deal of energy and humour into
his presentation. Alongside his detailed knowledge and vast experience, he makes
for a first-class lecturer.
Paul ended the evening by saying he would welcome a return visit to our club to
include more items and material because he had run out of time. The unanimous
view of the members who attended this excellent evening was that we would
enthusiastically welcome back Paul Abbey - lock, stock and barrel.
© Paul Bromley MMC, Secretary, South Downs Magicians, October 2010