Dear Friends in Magic,
I hope you are well as we launch into February. I have a lot to report from the Press, but let’s start, as always, with…
A BIG IDEA
In August 2022, I attended Poe’s Magic Conference in Baltimore when Jeff McBride was an invited guest. Of course, Jeff was terrific, as was Peter Samelson and Kenton Knepper. But I was not prepared for—had never heard of—one presenter named “Professor BC.”
However, in a 70-minute performance, the good professor floored me. Dressed in an elegant English waistcoat and bow tie, Professor BC captivated us as he delivered a creepy M. R. James story—at turns picking up a framed photo that subtly and impossibly kept changing in keeping with the ghostly tale. It was a tour de force—one of the more memorable performances I’ve seen for quite some time.
I soon discovered that “Professor BC” is the professional name of Brian Jay Corrigan, who is widely regarded as one of today’s leading lights in the areas of theatrical and bizarre magic. Indeed, he is an inventor of unusual magic props and routines that sell out almost immediately upon release. Also, he’s had a lifetime in the theater (starting at age 8), accumulating a long, impressive list of professional theater credits. Which includes having been in consideration for the role of Luke Skywalker.
Along his path, Brian earned a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature (that’s Shakespeare to you and me) and is now Senior Professor in that field at the University of North Georgia, where he has received major awards as an author, scholar, and teacher. Of special significance to readers of this newsletter, Brian has published an important book for magicians, Phasmology: The Bizarre Art of Paratheatrical Performance.
Phasmology is one of the two best magic books I read last year. (The other was an advance copy of Juan Tamariz’s Flamenco, which tells you a lot.) Phasmology—the Greek word for “the study of ghosts”—was initially published in 2015, but has been out of print and difficult to find (more on this below). The book introduces us to Brian’s deeply theatrical way of approaching magic and explains 10 of his routines themed around a cabinet of weird curiosities. I found this all utterly compelling.
But there is one more thing. In Phasmology, Brian elaborates a big idea that breaks through the entrenched binary between “performing magic as nothing but tricks” and “performing magic as nothing but real.” He calls this approach “paratheater.” It’s a way of understanding and performing bizarre magic, and by extension mentalism and magic, so it creates “the illusion of reality,” which, as narrative and theatrical, wears its artistry on its sleeve with no disclaimers needed or wanted.
Paratheater. That’s what I experienced with Brian's M. R. James performance, and at several other occasions where I’ve gotten to watch him work. It is a powerful new way of performing beyond the tired binaries of belief and disbelief, truth and lies—a way of presenting magic as narrative art and theatrical play.
Oh, I love artists who bust open the box and make me smarter. Professor BC has done that for me, and he might well do it for you, too!
Marjorie with Professor BC from Charles Dickens: Conjurer
IN THE STUDIO
In January my studio was a joyful place as I prepared for my invited 2.5-hour workshop at the East Coast Spirit Sessions in Myrtle Beach. I titled it, “The Inner Secrets of Eugene Burger’s Spirit Theater.” That’s right: I emptied the archive and brought all the props; I did my best to share it all.
Between 2006-2016, Eugene and I made many dozens of blackout séances, Halloween magic shows, and convention appearances and a lecture tour on spirit theater. When the ECSS team asked me to make a presentation, I realized that my brain held many secrets and details about our work that would be keenly interesting to magicians who specialize in this popular style of magic.
It was such a pleasure to spend December and January back in spirit theater world with my “ghost-show pal” Eugene, excavating and organizing what I had learned from him. And I took the opportunity to complete and premiere what I call “Eugene’s Slates”—my own, self-expressive version of his deeply deceptive spirit-slate routine from the final chapter of Eugene Burger: From Beyond.
What a wonderful time Marjorie and I had at ECSS! Our deep thanks to Steve Gibson and Kathy Caulfield for their gracious hospitality.
IT’S NOT MAGIC, BUT…
Regular readers know I am much more of a “reader” than a “watcher,” but about a year ago I stumbled upon the YouTube channel, “Movies, Music, & Monsters.” MMM is the brainchild of Dan Monroe, a documentary filmmaker, musician, and unabashed fan of 1950s-1980s sci-fi films and TV shows.
Just about every week, Dan posts a 15- to 30-minute, labor-of-love episode that lays out the back story of one of his old favorites, along with behind-the-scenes fun facts and information about the actors, the production, and its special props.
To give you a taste, here are a few episode titles: —What Happened to The THING from Another Planet?
—What Happened to The Invaders?
—Whatever Happened to the DEATH STAR?
—What’s the Story Behind The Omega Man?
—Whatever Happened to Kolchak The Night Stalker?
—What Happened to the SHIP from Planet of the Apes?
If you read this list and start to salivate (as I did), this channel is definitely for you. If you read it and are merely intrigued, still give it a good try. Dan Monroe has profound knowledge of the productions he covers and delivers every show with infectious enthusiasm—even as he acknowledges flaws, cheesy special effects, and disastrous decisions. [Deep sigh:] “Studio executives!”
When I discovered “Movies, Music, & Monsters” a year ago, there were about 30,000 subscribers. Now there are over 140,000 of us, which tells you Dan Monroe is creating super-fun, high-quality shows on a weekly basis. I think you’ll dig it.
HAPPENING AT THE PRESS
The first bit of news is that we recently released Bob Neale’s The Magic of Hope and sales have been fantastic. Thanks to all of you who’ve purchased the book from Theory and Art of Magic Press; that makes a big difference to a small press like ours.
If you still need to pick up a copy, please go here. Also consider getting the Companion Pack of bespoke cards for six routines in the book. You can certainly DIY your own cards, but we know many of you will want our professionally designed set. Please note: the Companion Pack is only available from us.
Next: I mentioned above that Professor BC’s Phasmology has been out of print and difficult to find. When I asked Brian about how our community could get copies, he sent me some to sell through the Press. Wow! So, we now have Phasmology at a special discounted price of $110 until March 1.
Also new, you'll find four stand-alone tricks from Judge Gary Brown’s sold-out The Inventive Magician’s Handbook. I had 10 or so extra sets of “Nightmare Santa (Poker-size),” “Dinner with Friends,” “Chessmaster,” and “Jack the Ripper.” To clear these out, we’ve packaged each set of cards with Gary’s script/handling. This allows you to get back-ups or, if you missed the book, the chance to explore Gary’s four great tricks. These will go quickly.
FINAL WORDS
At ECSS, so many people expressed their appreciation for this newsletter, which really warmed my heart. Thank you for being part of my community and spreading the word to your friends and colleagues who might enjoy what I am up to. Stay in touch and perhaps let me know one of your nostalgic favorites!
Sincerely, Larry Hass
Real-World Magician
Dean of McBride’s Magic & Mystery School
Publisher, Theory and Art of Magic Press
