Quad's magic show set to enchant

By Nigel Powlson

QUAD is set to become a truly magical place over the festive season. The centre's curators have cast a magic wand over the arts world to conjure up a family friendly exhibition that centres around the world of illusion.

Magic Show opens tomorrow and will feature live performances, props and archive material, video and newly-commissioned art works.

It's a partnership between Quad and Haywood Touring – a Southbank Centre project that takes exhibitions around the country.

Quad curator Louise Clements says: "It's an art exhibition but a very family friendly one – a mix of performance, magic and artists.

"The festive season is quite a good time to do something fun and engaging and magic speaks to all people."

One of the highlights of the two-month exhibition will be an appearance by Harry Potter magician Paul Kieve, and a chance to see his archive collection.

Louise says: "Paul has a collection of theatrical magic posters from the late 1800s to the present day which will be on display in the Quad corridors. He's one of the UK's leading magicians and has worked on designing stage shows in Las Vegas and trained Daniel Radcliffe to do close-up magic in the Harry Potter films. He has also written a book, called Hocus Pocus, based around the magic posters in his house and the magicians in them.''

Paul will be at Quad on January 20 to talk about the book and demonstrate magic.

"It will be an exciting presentation for families," says Louise.

Also visiting will be illusionist Eddie Dawes.

"He's over 80 and one of the leading magicians in the UK," says Louise. "He's to do a talk on January 20, and we have some of his archive material exhibited."

The Derby Magic Circle will also be involved in events – three magicians will be performing close-up tricks at the Magic Show opening tonight and will be back on January 16 and 20 with free performances, Punch and Judy and magic face painting.

Throughout the exhibition on Quad's video screens you can see archive footage of regional magicians from the 1970s and Pathe newsreels of magic from the 1920s.

Among artists taking part are Zoe Beloff, who has created a small theatrical cinema for a 3D film of a magic-related operetta from the 1930s.

Tom Friedman presents a plinth which showcases a space that has been cursed by a witch. Susan Hiller's collected images of levitation will be on display and you can delve into the work of Christian Jankowkski. He rang fortune tellers on Italian TV in 1999 and then called back after their prediction dates were up.

"It's going to be fascinating," says Louise, who has been working on the exhibition for two years.

After debuting at Quad, Magic Show will tour other venues across the country, including Blackpool to coincide with a Magic Circle convention.

"It has had to be a practical touring show that can reshape itself to any other venue," says Louise. "It has taken a lot of planning. You start with wish-lists of artists and then start looking at budgets, availability of work, transport costs, installation issues. It's a long process. It's a huge exhibition with 24 artists involved, some of whom are making new work."

MAGIC SHOW

WHERE: Quad, Derby.

WHEN: November 27-January 31.

CALL: 01332 290606.