Houdini's World Of Card Magic

Card magician Hugh Shields, also known as Hughdini, presents an exciting journey into Houdini's little-known world of card magic. Before he became an escapologist, Houdini was a master card magician who styled himself the "King of Cards". Houdini soon realised that he could attract far bigger audiences and acquire more publicity if he risked life and limb performing escape acts. As a result, his career as a card magician came to an end.

In this show, Hugh re-creates card effects which were either known to have been performed by Houdini or which were popular at the time Houdini was performing. Houdini became extraordinarily adept both at performing card magic and at figuring out new tricks which were presented to him. Indeed, he claimed to be able to figure out any trick provided it was shown to him at least three times. One magician, the great Canadian Dai Vernon, was able to fool Houdini after showing Houdini a trick 8 times (after which Houdini gave up). Hugh will perform a version of this effect during the show.

Hugh will also talk about the life of the great man and share some of his original Houdini and Dai Vernon memorabilia. Houdini was a genuine polymath and had a remarkable range of talents and interests. For example, he was one of the first people to pilot an aeroplane in Australia and also had a patent to his name. Houdini also had an interest in the after life but in his seminal book, A Magician Among the Spirits, he revealed his deep scepticism of mediums who claimed to be able to communicate with the deceased.

This is a fascinating insight and tribute to the greatest magician of all time.