Category: Academic

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Another publication: ‘The End of Mind Reading’

On Friday the 13th — appropriately enough — my paper, ‘The End of Mind Reading’ was published under my former stage name Edward James Dean, in the University of Huddersfield’s Journal of Performance Magic. Regarding this paper, the editor of this edition, Franc Chamberlain, writes:

‘Of the nine papers presented at the symposium only three are included in this issue of Performance Magic, those by Todd Landman, Nik Taylor, and Edward James Dean. Each of these… questions in one way or another, magic in an age when the magician is openly playing with questions of truth and fiction, reality and illusion, instruction and diversion, and enchantment and disenchantment. Edward James Dean draws on some ideas from Richard Schechner’s work on play and the concept of ‘dark play’ to explore some of the ambiguities in performance magic and makes links to the world of wrestling and the openness of contemporary kayfabe.’

To read ‘The End of Mind Reading’ click here

My first paper published in the JPM, ‘(Re)Discovering the Body in Mentalism’ can be found here: click here

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Cover Spread in “Rogue Illustrated”

Check out the current international issue of Rogue Illustrated:  An excellent interview with Turner Dixon and my alter ego Eddie Dean.  A DIY home-testing telepathy kit.  A smoothie recipe.  It pretty much has it all…  Thanks Rogue Illustrated, you’re so cool!

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4th International Expert Meeting on Parapsychology

On May 26th, I presented my paper ‘Love, Luck and the Paranormal’ at the 4th International Expert Meeting on Parapsychology in Heidelberg, Germany.

I opened with this joke: “I’ve come here from Ireland, so just walking in the sunshine this morning has been a paranormal experience…” (It’s funny because it’s true.)

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The Journal of Performance Magic

On June 11th, I presented my paper, “The End of Mind Reading” in the Sir Patrick Stewart building at the University of Huddersfield in England. They liked it, and will likely publish it after peer review, but I was warned that it will be very controversial. Hahaha. Awesome!

 

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University of Huddersfield Publication

On Halloween — appropriately enough — my paper, ‘(Re)Discovering the Body in Mentalism’ was published under my former stage name Edward James Dean, in the University of Huddersfield’s Journal of Performance Magic. Regarding his paper, the editor of this edition, Madelon Hoedt, writes:

‘In “(Re)Discovering the Body in Mentalism” by Edward James Dean, the author discusses the role of the body in the performance of mentalism, or rather, the perceived lack thereof. As Dean argues, the performance of mentalism, in particular, is seen as an activity of the mind, first and foremost, foregoing any notion or interpretation of the physical. In his essay, Dean is opening a discussion as to how the body of the mentalist needs to be reassessed in order to create a different, and perhaps more effective, type of performance.’

To read ‘(Re)Discovering the Body in Mentalism’ click here

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Archives: Punch and Judy (2011)

When I was doing my MFA in physical theatre in Italy, I studied the Roy Hart voice technique under the legendary Kevin Crawford. I chose to do a project on the traditional Punch and Judy puppet show. Punch’s voice was done with the secret technique with a traditional “swazzle.” The others all spoke some form of gibberish/grammelot. I made the puppets and built the fit-up with materials and tools at hand. The puppets were worked in the old school “over the head” style.

First Cloth Set
Second Cloth Set.
Third Cloth Set.
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Archives: Classic Clown Scene, Honey (2011)

An interpretation of the classic plot “Honey” as first performed in Paris (circa 1920) by the legendary clown duo Dario and Bario. With Chloe Whiting Stevenson and Mickey Lonsdale, advised by the Dimitiri School’s Joe Fenner at the Accademia dell’Arte in Tuscany.

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Archives: I Diavoletti present, Shoe (2012)

MAGIC RE-SOULED. Today, the classical style of stage magic is virtually extinct as a form of popular theater and entertainment. Over-edited street magic flourishes on television and over-produced illusion acts rule Las Vegas. It is time, then, for 21st century magic to be re-souled. Howard Thurston, America’s Master Magician in the early 1900s, said, “You can fool the eyes and minds of the audience, but you cannot fool their hearts.”

With this piece, I attempt to deconstruct the fast, flashy, loud, and soulless Las Vegas style; while dodging the comic cliché of the ‘bumbling magician’ (a parody which outlives the parodied). Act One, by functioning like clockwork, provides a silent set up to an act of even greater deconstruction, as magic gives way to clown and the clockwork is torn apart gear by gear.