Tag: tommy cooper

Mirror Online Asks Readers to Choose Best TV Magician

Inside Magic Image of Tommy CooperThe Mirror Online (UK), looking to build excitement for the launch of the fourth series of Dynamo: Mission Impossible, is asking readers to vote for their favorite TV magician.

You should head over to the site and make your choice from:
Darcy Oake
David Blaine
Derren Brown
David Copperfield
Dynamo
Paul Daniels
Penn & Teller
Tommy Cooper
Troy

There is no space for a write-in vote but they do have clips from the nominees – including our inspiration, Tommy Cooper. (Unfortunately, the sound goes out near the end of the clip but it is still a joy to watch).

Click here to link to the poling site. We don’t know if it will allow you to vote more than once but perhaps that is a concern for us Chicago natives. The rest of the world likely never considers stuffing the ballot box.

UK Magician Ev Boothby Impresses the Pros

Inside Magic Image of Ev Boothby Magician Ev Boothby a/k/a “Mister E Magic” has yet to turn 21 but has already experienced more in his young life than most.

He fell in love with our divine Art at the age six and was devotee of Inside Magic Favorite Tommy Cooper.

Due to family problems, Mr. Boothby spent much of his life transitioning to and from foster families before eventually living with his sister.

“I used magic as a way of coping with things,” he said. “It was hard as I always wanted to be at home with my mum, but you don’t really have a voice at that age.”

He dedicated much of his time in high school studying not his coursework but magic.  At the age of 14, Mr. Boothby won a local talent show and later began work performing for kids’ parties and charity events.

Mr. Boothby is now 20-years-old and told the reporter for Eastern Daily Press (UK), “Things weren’t easy. But if there’s something that you like doing, whether it is football, dancing or magic, then I think that, with hard work, anyone can make something of themselves.”  The bookings have picked up and he is busy most weekends performing at weddings, kid shows and corporate events.

If that was the end of the story, it would be a good one.  A young man faced with a tragic home situation uses magic to find appreciative audiences for his passionate performances.

But Mr. Boothby’s story continues.  In his spare time (and we do not know how that is possible with his schedule) the young magician established  The West End of Walsham, “an amateur dramatics group whose members range from eight to 80.”

The troupe put together a variety show and will tour in April.  Proceeds will benefit Ryan White, a pediatric patient battling neuroblastoma, a virulent form of brain cancer. Continue reading “UK Magician Ev Boothby Impresses the Pros”