It has been a very difficult year trying to reconcile Alan not being here, considering the fact my last memory of him was in hospital as I watched him take his very last breath. As one of the guest speakers at the memorial service I said my relationship with him transcend the subject of magic. I described watching his final moments as a painful privilege.
A few weeks ago, after returning home from Washington DC, The Magic Circle hosted another evening entitled “Alan Alan A Remembrance”. My friend Noel Britten organisied the event and coordinated all of the guest speakers. He also worked in partnership with Bob Hamilton – together, they created a video montage of Alan working in his shop, The Magic Spot and film footage of Alan performing the escape that made him world famous.
The lineup of speakers featured; Noel Britten, Chris Wood, Quentin Reynolds, George Kovari, Richard McDougall and myself.
As I was the last speaker, I had the opportunity to listen to the others share their remembrance and recollections about Alan and what he meant to them. I was deeply moved by how this one man was able to affect all of us in such a positive way. His magic shop was the meeting place where we received first-hand coaching in the craft the magic, theatre, show business and life.
My recollections and sharing was supplemented by the performance of two pieces of magic; “The Mystery of the Gold Pins “and “The Two Card Monte”. I chose those two routines because they embodied everything Alan taught me about communication and psychology.
It is difficult to talk about Alan without talking about the greatest magician I ever saw, the legendary Slydini. Because of Alan, I was able to meet Slydini when I was 18 years old. My first lesson with Slydini was the master teaching me “The Mystery of The Gold Pins”. Slydini spoke very little English, so it was up to Alan to fill in the gaps in Slydini’s communication.
I want to thank Noel Britten for all the hard work he has done in supporting Alan and making this event the great tribute that it was. Finally, congratulations to all the speakers who added their little bit of magic to the event, Alan would have been proud.
RIP old friend – until we meet again.
Dear Alan,
Thank you for all the inspiration and sharing your time in The Magic Spot, with all of us. You may have disappeared, but you will never vanish from our minds.