Bertie Pearce on the The Art of Illusion

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The next Chiswick Decorative & Fine Arts Society talk

The Art of Illusion is the title of the pre-Christmas lecture presented by the Chiswick Decorative & Fine Arts Society

Bertie Pearce will discuss the history of magic through art and pictures. A member of the Inner Magic Circle, with Gold Star, his past experience includes lecturing to cruise ship audiences, the Women’s Institute, theatre clubs and the Sussex Magic Circle, as well as NADFAS. In addition, has toured the world with a magic cabaret show and a one man show entitled ‘All Aboard’.

From the beginning of time the fascination with magic and the impossible has been widespread. Egypt was the cradle of magic. Sorcerer priests used scientific principles to create illusions for the edification of worship and to hold power over the people. Where there was power there was magic. Then there is the age-old skill of sleight of hand, which proves that ‘the hand is quicker than the eye’. Magicians were known as ‘Jongleurs’ lest they be sentenced to death for ‘witchcraft and conjuration’ under the edicts of Henry VIII.

With the emergence of the Music Hall, magic gained a new respectability and audiences flocked in their thousands to watch the extraordinary feats of The Great Illusionists. This gave birth to legendary tricks such as pulling a rabbit from a hat and sawing a lady in half. And if magicians guarded their secrets with their lives, how was the Magic Circle formed?

Even today in our super technical age of iPods and broadband, the wonder and surprise of magic are as popular as ever, not forgetting the Harry Potter craze.

Wonder Workers and the Art of Illusion is a whistle stop tour of the history of mystery from 3000BC to the 21st century and be careful! – you might be amazed and bewitched.

The lectures start at 8pm on 8 December in the Malinova Room at The Polish Centre (POSK), 238-246 King Street, Hammersmith, W6 0RF. All are welcome and you are encouraged to arrive early to join the rest of the audience for a pre-lecture drink. Tickets cost £8 for non-members.

December 3, 2016