Hugh Nightingale
Hugh has
been performing magic for about 15 years, the last 10 years as a full time
professional. What began as a hobby to entertain his own children, has
quickly grown into a business that takes him all over the country and into
Europe.
Hugh attained his BSc (Hons) Degree in Agriculture at Wye College,
University of London. On leaving University he spent 10 years as farm
manager before he started running his own farm. He now lets out the farm
and works solely on his magic, either as an entertainer and performer, or
as a consultant and adviser in his business, MagiCo. Hugh’s main niche for
his work is in corporate and Society circles presenting close-up magic, or
his 40-minute cabaret (a comedy-magic-patter act). He has also written a
magic book for children.
Hugh creates ‘a touch of magic’ to promote, charm, baffle, sell... simply
to entertain and is a member of the Magic Circle (AIMC with Silver Star),
the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Kent Magicians’ Guild.
Hugh’s answers to those compulsory questions!!
Top Trick?
"I always close my cabaret with the Gene Anderson newspaper tear and I
guess it would be my favourite effect. For something individual I suppose
I would choose the earthworm routine that I do, based around a Mac King
gag. In close-up I love performing ‘invisible card’ routines especially
Steve Bedwell’s "Shake/Shuffle." For something more tangible, that the
audience can really manhandle, it has to be a cut and restored rope. I
perform one loosely based on a Fay Presto routine. I am not a great
illusion fan but I do enjoy really good levitations. For a great box
illusion I do not think that you can beat Shahid Malik and assistant with
a cardboard box and a bundle of snooker cues."
Top Book?
"I started out in magic, in my early thirties, with the Boy’s Book of
Magic so I must owe a lot to that book. I then soon found Peter Eldin’s
Kingfisher book and Royal Road to Card Magic. So for my rather late
formative years in magic, these books were my main source of inspiration."
Top Magician?
"Inspirations for me come from many different sources. Richard McDougall
for acting the magic. Terry Herbert, Mike O’ Brian and Graham P Jolley for
comedy in magic. Paul Daniels for performance to a live audience. Geoffrey
Durham for his wonderful manner. Paul Zenon for his fun. Salvano for his
techniques. There have been many many more influences on my magic, as I
enjoy going to lectures and especially working with other magicians."
Top Magic Quote?
"A magician needs two key attributes. The first is to always leave the
audience wanting more."
Top Magic
Moment?
"Surely this is not that sort of site! Perhaps I can substitute my top
moments in magic. I consider myself very fortunate that, in the circles in
which my magic has become popular, I get to meet and entertain many of the
people in the worlds of show-business, Society, commerce and even politics
that I respect and admire most. To entertain them is an honour as it is to
be able to entertain any 'man in the street'... and then they go and pay
me for doing it! Wow!
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©
MagicWeek 2001
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