Guy Hollingworth
Encyclopedia
Guy Hollingworth is an English
barrister, conjuror, author and lecturer. As a conjuror he is known for his skillful performances of card magic and for his books and lectures in which he presents original tricks and routines.
. The school has a magic club called The Prestige Society, which Hollingworth joined in preference over activities such as classics
or sports practice which he would otherwise have been expected to do. He was inspired by seeing footage of magician Channing Pollock
, which was shown as part of the television series The Best of Magic, broadcast by Thames Television
in 1989-90. Hollingworth has stated that he was also influenced during the same period by seeing Ricky Jay
perform on the Channel 4 television series Secret Cabaret
. Hollingworth began his performing career with a show at the school open day. He later graduated in industrial design and subsequently in law. At the same time he continued performing magic as well as developing new tricks. Such was his success that he also began to be asked to give lectures to other magicians. He currently works full-time as a barrister
, but continues to give occasional magic performances.
Hollingworth's best known creation is his trick The Reformation, in which a signed playing card
is torn into four pieces and then visibly restored one piece at a time. He is also well known for his book, Drawing Room Deceptions. Some of his card magic is presented in his commercially available videos The Reformation, The London Collection and Routines directed by filmmaker and magician Anthony Davis. He was also featured on NBC's World's Greatest Magic III
TV special. In August 2008, he presented a well-received show at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival entitled "Expert at the Card Table", which was based on a 1902 book of the same title.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
barrister, conjuror, author and lecturer. As a conjuror he is known for his skillful performances of card magic and for his books and lectures in which he presents original tricks and routines.
Career
Hollingworth first became interested in magic at the age of 13 when he was a pupil at St Paul's School, a private school in west LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The school has a magic club called The Prestige Society, which Hollingworth joined in preference over activities such as classics
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
or sports practice which he would otherwise have been expected to do. He was inspired by seeing footage of magician Channing Pollock
Channing Pollock (magician)
Channing Pollock was an American magician and film actor.-Magician:As one of the most sophisticated and charismatic practitioners of his craft; strikingly handsome with an enigmatic stage presence, he was best known for an act in which he would elegantly produce doves out of thin air and he was...
, which was shown as part of the television series The Best of Magic, broadcast by Thames Television
Thames Television
Thames Television was a licensee of the British ITV television network, covering London and parts of the surrounding counties on weekdays from 30 July 1968 until 31 December 1992....
in 1989-90. Hollingworth has stated that he was also influenced during the same period by seeing Ricky Jay
Ricky Jay
Richard Jay Potash , better known by the stage name Ricky Jay, is an American stage magician, actor, and writer. He is a sleight-of-hand expert and is notable for his card tricks, card throwing, memory feats, and stage patter.-Life and career:...
perform on the Channel 4 television series Secret Cabaret
Secret Cabaret
Secret Cabaret was a magic-based television programme that ran for two series, of six episodes each, on Channel 4 in the UK during the early 1990s. It was conceived and fronted by British magician Simon Drake and was praised for giving a new and shocking twist to the presentation of illusions...
. Hollingworth began his performing career with a show at the school open day. He later graduated in industrial design and subsequently in law. At the same time he continued performing magic as well as developing new tricks. Such was his success that he also began to be asked to give lectures to other magicians. He currently works full-time as a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
, but continues to give occasional magic performances.
Hollingworth's best known creation is his trick The Reformation, in which a signed playing card
Playing card
A playing card is a piece of specially prepared heavy paper, thin cardboard, plastic-coated paper, cotton-paper blend, or thin plastic, marked with distinguishing motifs and used as one of a set for playing card games...
is torn into four pieces and then visibly restored one piece at a time. He is also well known for his book, Drawing Room Deceptions. Some of his card magic is presented in his commercially available videos The Reformation, The London Collection and Routines directed by filmmaker and magician Anthony Davis. He was also featured on NBC's World's Greatest Magic III
The World's Greatest Magic
The World's Greatest Magic was a series of American television specials showcasing magic acts.The first of five shows was broadcast by NBC in 1994, and continued with annual editions through 1998. These shows were most often first telecast during the Thanksgiving holidays when special programming...
TV special. In August 2008, he presented a well-received show at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival entitled "Expert at the Card Table", which was based on a 1902 book of the same title.
Publications
- FISM Lecture Notes (limited edition)
- Drawing Room Deceptions
- Quartet: A card and ten routines therewith
- Waiting for Inspiration Lecture Notes
Marketed tricks
- Quartet - a playing card, included with a booklet of 10 routines or separately in packs of 3
- Once Upon a Time - a small fairy tale book featuring three magical routines suitable for children
Television appearances
- The World's Greatest Magic III (USA)
- Heroes of Magic (UK)
- Illusoes with Luis de Matos (Portugal)
- Britain's Worst Cheats (UK)
- Fifty Greatest Magic Tricks (UK)
- The Five Greatest Magicians in the World (Japan)