An Evening With Ian Keable

20 June 2005

Ian is an experienced performer of both close-up and cabaret, and his experience was clearly in evidence. His material was all effective and performable, and though not to every taste it was easy to see how he had moulded each routine to his personality. In fact, when I was pressed to 'do another trick' at a gig only two days later, I performed Ian's clever revelation and switch of two chosen cards and it had a terrific effect on a sceptical spectator. I was glad to be able to share this with him at Klub Magic only a week later, as I assume it must be gratifying to know that someone has actually tried something you have taught.

Ian's approach to a table is fast and furious. Again, it was not to every taste, but he was right to stress the importance of the first few seconds. His opening trick, the thumb tip bill switch, was immaculate, and has made me look carefully at my own handling which is somewhat slower than his!

Ian also shared what he described as his entire 'commando' close-up routine in detail, and it was clear that he had performed and honed this material many, many times. He included card, rope wand and ring material, and had some interesting ideas about spectator management. Indeed, one of the most interesting segments of the lecture was Ian's response to the question of hecklers. He has clearly worked in some tough venues, and he had some good advice to anyone who is concerned about hecklers, some of which is not suitable for publication here!

Ian's cabaret section centred around his broken and restored watch in stocking routine. This is an effective piece, complete with patter, misdirection and comedy as well as good magic. Ian has stripped the routine down to its bare essentials so that it will work in any circumstances. For me, the best part was his clever effect of the restored watch reading a different time, as selected by a random audience member. I was even disappointed when he revealed how it was done, as I had visions of him playing with the winder in his pocket. He fooled me badly with that one!

So, if you took nothing else at all from the lecture, remember this single fact which Ian clearly understands to a tee: the effect is everything; the method is incidental.

Andrew

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