Bruce Munton


 

Bruce originally came from Johannesburg to London in 1997 and received much of his early magic education in South Africa under the mentorship of Graham Kirk. Graham was an outstanding manipulator and the author of "Jumbo Coin Magic" and was related to the late Robert Harbin, also from South Africa. After Graham died in tragic car accident in September 1997, Bruce decided to move to England to pursue his interest in magic and joined The Magic Circle in 1998. He is proud to be an Associate Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star.

Bruce lives in London with his wife Mia, 4 year old son Jaedon and Yorkshire Terrier Taz.

 

Awards and Memberships:

South African National Sleight of Hand Magic Champion 1996-1999, 1999-2002
South African National Stage Magic Champion 1999-2002
Bronze Medalist for the Magic Circle Close-up Magician of the Year Contest 1999
Silver Medalist for the South African National Magic Championships for Close-up Magic 2002
Bruce is a Silver Star Member of The Inner Magic Circle (AIMC) and a member of Equity


Top Trick
For 'Top Trick' I choose Fifty Percent Lighter by Tommy Wonder (Page 26 of Volume 2 of the books of Wonder by Tommy Wonder and Stephen Minch). The basic effect of this trick is has the hallmarks of all good magic - it is simple and direct in effect ie easy to understand and visually strong.


Effect - a cigarette lighter changes into a box of matches. I have chosen this as top trick because it is highly visual, magical, meaningful and the transformation is instantaneous. It plays as well close-up as it does on stage and there is minimal set up time. It also has the benefit of being a great opener and utilises objects which everyone is familiar with. Instead of the magician saying "here we have a lighter" and then changing it into a box of matches, the magician is seen attempting to light the lighter, which just wont work. Instead of "asking someone for a light", he changes gears by magically transforming the lighter into a box of matches and then removes a match from the box to light his cigarette. What I love so much about this effect is the meaning behind the magic. The meaning in this instance is found when the magician solves his dilemma by magically transforming the lighter into a box of matches.

Top Book
The Magic of Slydini
I am a great fan of Slydini, although I never had the honour of meeting him personally. I love this book set because they are beautifully written an have such wonderful pictures depicting the life and philosophy of one the all time greats in magic.

Top Magician
Michael Vincent. For me Michael epitomises the characteristics of a master magician. His outlook, focus, discipline, humility and incredible knowledge and ability are a rarity in today's world. Michael has a genuine love for people and it shines through in his magic. He lives the magic and the magic lives through him. I have known Michael for many years now and feel blessed to count him as one of my friends. I mean this sincerely and am not one to flatter people, but believe in giving credit where credit is due.

Top Magic Quote
"Magicians stop thinking too soon" Dai Vernon

Top Magic Moment
Winning the gold medal for manipulation at the South African National Magic Championships for the first time back in 1999. It was moment of pure magic for me, because I had sweated blood for it and the hard work and dedication paid off in the end - a wonderful feeling.

 

© MagicWeek 2005

 

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