Chris Philpott October Lecture
Ring 17 – The Hat and Rabbit Club: October Meeting - 2024
The Toronto Hat and Rabbit Club, Ring 17, held its October meeting with a mix of solemnity, excitement, and magical exploration. The evening commenced with a poignant Broken Wand Ceremony led by Ron Guttman’s in honor of the late Richard “Ted” Edward Harding. The ceremony served as a moving tribute to Harding’s dedication to magic and his role within the club. Guttman remarked “The wand in story and symbol is an ancient conjuring representation of mystery. To the uninitiated, it is but a piece of wood. To our member, it was a constant reminder of the joy and pleasure of an entertainment art that has existed since ancient times.”. Harding’s connection to the global fraternity of magicians was remembered fondly, as members reflected on his contributions to the magical arts and shared a moment of silence together in his memory.
Ron Guttman honoring Ted Harding
The club then turned to some light-hearted news with Colin Geddes announcing a fun and new promotional initiative: magical bookmarks. We’re on a membership drive of sorts for younger magicians. Club members were challenged to secretly slip bookmarks into magic books at local libraries, with a prize awaiting the person who places the most. This playful competition serves both as a creative marketing effort and a way to foster engagement within the local community.
Pick a bookmark, any bookmark.
The evening’s featured guest was Chris Philpott, a celebrated alumnus of the club. Introduced by Ian Crawford, Philpott brought his wealth of experience as a screenwriter, director, and creator of magic effects to the presentation. Known for his 100th Monkey effect, Chris saw another one of his clever creations, Feel Better, receive perfect scores from the Wizard Magic Review, Philpott has collaborated with high-profile magicians such as Derren Brown and Cyril Takayama. He has also contributed to networks like Syfy, TNT, and CBC, and production companies such as Lionsgate and Phoenix Films. Philpott captivated the audience with stories of Ring 17’s past, including a fascinating anecdote, that we’re still not sure if it’s true, about Doug Henning’s early days with the club. He described how Henning’s famous audition for Ring 17 involved transforming a cane into a snake, a trick that left a lasting impression on the members. He also cited a 1974 Time Magazine article about Doug Henning that capture his mind and imagination and had a significant influence on his career. He even had a copy of the original worn magazine on hand.
Time goes by
Philpott emphasized the importance of looking beyond the surface of magic tricks, urging magicians to explore the deeper meanings and metaphors within their performances.
Chris showcased a series of effects and routines that demonstrated his unique approach:
1. The End of My Rope – An engaging twist on the classic rope trick, showcasing both humor and a real surprise. Teller thinks this is a, “A great trick. A great trick.”
At the end of my rope
2. Intuition – Incorporating elements of a dowsing rod theme from 17th-century France, this effect cleverly plays on the contrast between good and evil.
3. Tossed-Out Book Test – A new spin on a classic book test, encouraging participants to “shout the word from the mountain top” to create a shared magical experience.
Throw that book back
4. Sumara Card Trick – An “impossible do as I do” effect that combines storytelling with sleight of hand, leaving audiences amazed. This was my personal fav for the evening.
Is this your card?
5. Unique Card Naming Trick – Utilizing the Bagshaw deck, Chris delivered an impressive routine that featured a couple of very surprising card revelations.
Philpott’s performance was entertaining and thought-provoking, inviting magicians to consider the narrative potential of their routines. He emphasized the power of storytelling in magic, expanding on Eugene Burger’s notion that “…the meaning is always there, whether we can see it or not.”. The lecture left attendees inspired to lookfor and add more layers to their performances.
Keeping them watching intensely
The October meeting concluded with members sharing together, inspired by the evening’s blend of history, magic, and meaningful conversations. It was a night that honored the past while looking forward to the future, reminding everyone present that magic is as much about community and connection as it is about mystery and illusion.
Peace, love and happiness
David Peck
