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Richard Griffin and
Hayley Jane
Princess Cruise Lines
Summer, 2009
Reviewed by Jonathan Jay
If you aren’t familiar with this act, it’s probably because Richard left the UK
eleven years ago to work solely on the (better) cruise ships. For the record, he
won - by a mile - The Young Magician of the Year, The British Ring Shield AND
The Blackpool Magical Championships – the first magician ever to do so. He’s
also done rather well at several FISM competitions. So he’s no young upstart act
– he’s being performing professionally for 20 years.
I’ve known Richard for the same length of time and over the years watched the
dove and manipulation act he was known for become the fastest, slickest, quick
change/illusion/sleight of hand act you’ll ever see.
He performs two completely different 45 minute shows and they are 99% silent.
But there’s no fluff or filler – it’s a show that has pace, humour, style and
sophistication. One reason the public give for not liking magic acts is that
they often appear so dated; however, Richard’s tailor-made suits, modern music,
choreographed routines and charisma turn those sceptics into raving fans.
I’ll mention a few highlights of the show. Nothing, by the way, is a ‘standard’
routine. Each has a twist that guarantees a strong audience reaction – and I’ve
seen him get an unprompted standing ovation from a British audience.
The opening sequence to the first show is a remarkable double quick change where
both Hayley and Richard change costume – it’s not just fast, it looks like it
happens right before your eyes. The gasps from the audience are audible.
In the second show Hayley changes costume seven times in two minutes – it is
unbelievable to watch as each change is apparently effortless – the outfits seem
to melt away and one particular change behind a puff of dry ice has to be seen
to be believed.
A multiplying thimble and card production routine show that Richard is an
outstanding manipulator – he’s fast, accurate and entertaining – and even
manages to get laughs in the thimble routine.
The dancing handkerchief is an audience favourite as is a rising card routine
with a girl from the audience wins over the parents. A floating table routine
gets gasps and a Griffin original spiker box illusion looks impossible from
every angle. You’ll also see a levitation, razor blade, mismade girl and a
straight jacket escape that surprisingly becomes a transposition (an original
illusion created by Richard).
So what makes this act so good? (Bear in mind, hundreds of magic acts apply to
work on cruise ships every year and Richard and Hayley are specially requested
by the top cruise lines, year after year.)
It’s professional, perfectly choreographed to outstanding music, has the
audience gasping, laughing and most importantly, talking about it afterwards.
Hayley is an outstanding assistant and is a memorable part of the show – never
distracting or a stereotype, she adds panache and glamour to a show that plays
huge 1000 seat ship theatres.
Very few acts working today have the consistent years of professional experience
that Richard and Hayley have. In my opinion every aspiring magician should grab
the opportunity to see a professional act transform a sometimes
‘over-entertained’ cruise ship audience into a solid fan base and you can watch
Richard on You Tube and see for yourself.
© Jonathan Jay, September 2009