We received some very sad
news from Alan Watson, publisher of the outstanding magic newsletter Magic New
Zealand. (http://www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html).
Tommy Wonder lived up to
his name.
He was a gentleman in an
era of lesser men with greater egos. He took time to talk with his fans
(both new and old) and convinced us magic in the proper hands could not only
look real but have a real effect on the most cynical audience.
He stood strongly for the
Art
of Magic and believed deeply the tricks do not make the magician any more
than the instrument makes the musician.
Quinlan's Inside Magic
quoted him from last year on the development of magicians who learn via the
internet
"Of course one can download a musical note from the Internet anytime
for free, but playing it masterfully on the piano is a totally different
story," the master magician said. "In a sense, the Internet has
contributed a great deal to the growth of the magic industry, by drawing more
people near to the world of magic."
Mr. Wonder, like Robert-Houdin, believes a good magician should first study
acting. "Items and skills are also important but they are not
enough."
We saw Mr. Wonder perform and thought
he was as close to perfect as we've ever seen any magician.
The
following is from Mr. Watson's bulletin received today:
Message from Sylvia
Schuyer
Tommy Wonder died of cancer in the hospital. The last months he lived by his
brother in Hillegom who was taking care of him.Sylvia Schuyer
Burg. Hoffmanplein 36c
3071 XL Rotterdam
List on Tommy Wonder
in Bart Whaley's Who Who in Magic
Bemelman, Joseph
(Jacobus Maria)"Jos"
(Lisse, Holland: 29 Nov 1953- ) Inspired seeing a magician on TV at age 4.
Learned magic at 10. Pro close-up & stage magician since age 18. Aka
"Julian" (1973), "Jos Bema" (1973-78), & "Tommy
Wonder" (since 1979).1972 Junior Magician of Holland; 1979 FISM 2nd prize in close-up; 1988 FISM 2nd
prize in general magic Wrote 2 lecture-note booklets: Original Magic from
Holland (1977) & Wonder Material (1982); plus The Books of Wonder (1996, 2
vols, 343+352pp with Stephen Minch).See also Gene Matsuura, Tommy Wonder
Entertains (1983). Articles in Pabular, Genii, Linking Ring, & De Magier.
Invented a version of Diminishing Cards (c1972) & Floating Cage (1987).
We received some very sad
news from Alan Watson, publisher of the outstanding magic newsletter Magic New
Zealand. (http://www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html).
Tommy Wonder lived up to
his name.
He was a gentleman in an
era of lesser men with greater egos. He took time to talk with his fans
(both new and old) and convinced us magic in the proper hands could not only
look real but have a real effect on the most cynical audience.
He stood strongly for the
Art
of Magic and believed deeply the tricks do not make the magician any more
than the instrument makes the musician.
Quinlan's Inside Magic
quoted him from last year on the development of magicians who learn via the
internet
"Of course one can download a musical note from the Internet anytime
for free, but playing it masterfully on the piano is a totally different
story," the master magician said. "In a sense, the Internet has
contributed a great deal to the growth of the magic industry, by drawing more
people near to the world of magic."
Mr. Wonder, like Robert-Houdin, believes a good magician should first study
acting. "Items and skills are also important but they are not
enough."
We saw Mr. Wonder perform and thought
he was as close to perfect as we've ever seen any magician.
The
following is from Mr. Watson's bulletin received today:
Message from Sylvia
Schuyer
Tommy Wonder died of cancer in the hospital. The last months he lived by his
brother in Hillegom who was taking care of him.Sylvia Schuyer
Burg. Hoffmanplein 36c
3071 XL Rotterdam
List on Tommy Wonder
in Bart Whaley's Who Who in Magic
Bemelman, Joseph
(Jacobus Maria)"Jos"
(Lisse, Holland: 29 Nov 1953- ) Inspired seeing a magician on TV at age 4.
Learned magic at 10. Pro close-up & stage magician since age 18. Aka
"Julian" (1973), "Jos Bema" (1973-78), & "Tommy
Wonder" (since 1979).1972 Junior Magician of Holland; 1979 FISM 2nd prize in close-up; 1988 FISM 2nd
prize in general magic Wrote 2 lecture-note booklets: Original Magic from
Holland (1977) & Wonder Material (1982); plus The Books of Wonder (1996, 2
vols, 343+352pp with Stephen Minch).See also Gene Matsuura, Tommy Wonder
Entertains (1983). Articles in Pabular, Genii, Linking Ring, & De Magier.
Invented a version of Diminishing Cards (c1972) & Floating Cage (1987).
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