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Jon Allen MIMC
Jon Allen first became interested in magic at the age of nine. A hobby turned into a job when he started working for Marvin's Magic in Harrods and
Hamleys in London's west end. He joined the Magic Circle in 1990 and became an Associate of The Inner Magic Circle in 1991. In August this year he was invited to become a Member of the Inner Magic Circle. He has won both the British and American International Brotherhood of Magicians Close-up Competitions, and is just the second non-American to have won the US competition in over 70 years.
Jon has lectured at The Magic Circle in London, The Magic Castle in Hollywood and for many other magic societies and conventions around the world including those in USA, Canada, Denmark, Australia, Italy and Holland. Next year he hopes to make trips to Germany, Japan and America. He also creates new magic for sale to fellow magicians around the world. These include KABOOM!, Phobia and How Much? Jon's signature piece is his famous Quadro-chick routine. "The trick I would do if I could only ever perform one thing ever again."
He has acted as technical advisor for TSB, Motorola and Cadbury's TV adverts. Jon creates unique effects for both close-quarter and stage and has been asked to create illusions for companies at conferences and trade shows. He has also done other technical work for television and video.
He has performed at, amongst others, The Boca Raton Resort & Club, The Magic Castle in Hollywood, Orient Express, Pinewood Studios, The House of Commons, Henley Regatta, The Hurlingham Club, Birmingham NEC, Hotel de France and, naturally, many top London hotels including Claridges, The Dorchester and The London Hilton. Other performances include: The Daily Express, Mecca Leisure, Andersen Consulting, Kleinwort Benson, Jones Lang Wootton, Cellnet, Grand Metropolitan Plc, Macintyre Ball, Society of Distinguished Songwriters, Bluebird Toys, BBC Videos, Smirnoff, Lord Halifax, The Magic Circle, and Monday Night Magic both in London and New York.
Jon's lecture The Director's Cut is all about magic for "the masses." Predominantly close-up orientated, without too many technical moves. Instead, as well as the physical 'how to' of the routines, Jon focuses on the psychological and sneaky subtleties that make the magic work. His explanations are both informative and entertaining, providing information that can be applied to whatever type of magic the individuals in the audience perform. Jon's lecture includes routines with cards, coins, sugar packets, rope, thread and rubber bands.
His first big magical influence was David Willaimson and comedic influences include Robin Williams and Eddie Izzard; he admires their free-style approach to performing. Being creative in both routining and presentation is something Jon strives for with his magic.
Look out for his hands in a set of upcoming Cadbury's mini-roll adverts.
He will be marrying his fiancée, Melanie, in September. (Congratulations!)
©
MagicWeek 2000