David Ben
Encyclopedia
David Ben is a Canadian stage magician, sleight of hand
artist, illusionist, author
, publisher, keynote speaker, magic historian, magic consultant, magic collector and former tax lawyer.
He has been a professional magician, performer, entertainer and keynote speaker since 1990. Ben is known for his sleight-of-hand technique, his knowledge of magic history and his collection of magic.
He is one of the founders of Magicana—a performing arts organization dedicated to the study, exploration and advancement of magic as a performing art—and currently serves its Artistic Director. He is the publisher and editor of Magicol, a quarterly journal of magic history and collectibles. He is the sole protégé of a fellow Canadian, twentieth century sleight-of-hand artist, Ross Bertram, and biographer (and representative of the Estate) of celebrated magician, Dai Vernon
.
, Canada. His interest in magic began after receiving the book, The Stein and Day Handbook of Magic by Marvin Kaye from his father in 1973. Ben's childhood interest turned into a lifelong passion after he watched the television special Doug Henning
's World of Magic (1975). Ben became a frequent visitor to the Arcade Magic and Novelty Company in Toronto, and then Morrissey Magic Ltd. While in high school, Ben worked part-time at Morrissey Magic, learning the craft from store founder and Canadian magician, Herb Morrissey.
In 1978, Ben acquired the book The Magic and Methods of Ross Bertram and in 1979, through Morrissey, Msgr. Vincent Foy
and P. Howard Lyons, met the book's author, Ross Bertram. Ben studied magic with Bertram for six years (1980–86) and became Bertram's sole protégé.
Ben graduated with a BA from University College of the University of Toronto
(1983), an LLB from the University of Western Ontario
(1987) and an LLM from the London School of Economics
(1988). He articled at the firm of Macdonald & Hayden, was called to the bar in the Province of Ontario in 1989, and joined the firm of Goodman, Phillips and Vineberg (now Goodmans) as a tax lawyer.
However in 1990, after producing a series of conventions, lectures and magic shows, Ben abandoned the conventional lawyer's life to pursue the art of magic.
, a not-for-profit organization (and now a registered Canadian charity) dedicated to exploration and advancement of magic as a performing art.
He also assisted his wife Jan Howlett, an accomplished educator and former Director of Public Programming and Education for the Royal Ontario Museum
, and Executive Director of the Children's Museum with the formation of her own school, the Howlett Academy, an independent school (K–Grade 8) located in Toronto.
In 2005, Ben developed My Magic Hands, an outreach program designed to teach creativity and develop self-confidence and self-esteem in disadvantaged youth through the medium of magic. The program received a significant pilot funding in 2005 followed by a subsequent mulit-year funding grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (2005–2008).
In 2005, inspired by his friend the late Tom Kneebone
and the Smile Theatre Company, Ben created Senior Sorcery, a program designed to bring magic shows to immobile seniors, the goal being to create intergenerational opportunities for the old to invite the young to share the experience of magic. Magicana continues to offer Senior Sorcery to thousands of seniors, their families and friends at centers around Toronto.
In 2009, Ben acquired the collection of late Canadian magic icon, Sid Lorraine, adding it to his already considerable magic holdings. Ben's holdings also include the collection of Stewart James, Willis Kenney, David Drake, Bruce Posgate, and items belonging to Dai Vernon (including props from the famed Harlequin Act). Ben developed a number of online exhibitions for Magicana including Ross Bertram, Master Magician 2010; Sid Lorraine: The Magical Chatterbox 2009; The Life & Magic of Stewart James 2007 (in collaboration with PhD student Joe Culpepper); Postcards of Magicians 2005, 2010; and Bert Douglas: A Family Remembers 2005, 2010).
The Conjuror was a theatrical recreation of a performance by a celebrated (but fictitious) Canadian conjuror at St. George's Hall in London circa 1909. The play was developed by Ben and Canadian broadcasting icon, Patrick Watson, after a chance encounter between the two at the home of Canadian media mogul and magic aficionado Allan Slaight.
The Conjuror, with set and costumes by Kelly Wolf, had its world premiere at the Shaw Festival
in 1996. The show had outstanding box office and critical reviews. Christopher Newton
, Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival, "dip[ped] his imagination in the Golden Age of Magic" and invited Ben and Watson to revisit The Conjuror the following season. The Conjuror – Part 2, with set design by William Schmuck and lighting by Bonnie Beecher, had its world premiere at the Shaw Festival in 1997 featuring "seven illusions accomplished with panache". At the end of the season, Ben and Watson amalgamated The Conjuror and The Conjuror – Part 2 into The Compleat Conjuror for a special gala fundraising performance for the Festival.
While Ben and Watson were developing The Conjuror, Ben became reacquainted with Daniel Zuckerbrot. Zuckerbrot, a documentary filmmaker, retained Ben to levitate David Suzuki
, the host of The Nature of Things
, for a Zuckerbrot film "Martin Gardner
: Mathemagician" (1995). Zuckerbrot proposed recording the development of The Conjuror. The result was "A Conjuror in the Making" (1997), which aired on the Adrienne Clarkson
Presents on the CBC and on Breakfast with the Arts
on the A&E Network
in the United States. The film follows magician David Ben and director Patrick Watson through rehearsal, show development and finally to the opening night performance at the Shaw Festival. The documentary won gold at WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, and the Chris Statuette at the Columbus International Film & Video Festival.
In 1997, Lindsay Sharp
, then Director of the Royal Ontario Museum
, invited Ben to stage The Conjuror at the ROM. Ben and his team refurbished the theatre in the Museum – a theatre that had been dormant for theatrical productions for 35 years. A 90-minute version of The Conjuror opened in December 1997 at Theatre ROM and ran for four months. It then embarked on a regional theatre tour of Ontario in the summer of 1998 "deftly conjuring [a] charming show".
The play was remounted to continued acclaim in Toronto in 2002, now with original music by John Lang, and ran for six weeks.
inspired by the work of Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser
and Max Malini
. With Ed Kotanen's design and Bonnie Beecher's lighting, Ben and Watson created a three-quarter surround theatre in the Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall at the Royal Ontario Museum for the show. The Conjuror's Suite received critical acclaim, and Ben was invited to restage the work by Curtis Barlow at the Charlottetown Festival
in Prince Edward Island for the summer of 2000.
.
's A Grammar of Motives and the modern notions of magic as espoused by master magician, Dai Vernon
. The new work featured a set by David Rayfield and multimedia imagery by Cameron Davis, lighting by Bonnie Beecher and music by John Lang. Ben presented new sleight-of-hand pieces from his repertoire and received critical acclaim for his work. Natural Magick was a top pick for the Festival. Natural Magick was presented as as part of the Master of Magic series for Luminato at the Tarragon Theatre (Toronto).
In 2003, Ben started producing through Magicana, and in association with Allan Slaight, a conference called 31 Faces North in which he and Slaight invited thirty-one of the world's foremost experts and practitioners of magic and promising young magicians to participate in a four day think-tank of magic. The attendees represented a who's who of magic including Guest of Honours: Jay Marshall (2003), Tommy Wonder (2003), Johnny Thompson
(2004), Harry Riser (2004), Billy McComb
(2005), Charles Reynolds
(2005), Max Maven
(2006), Bob White (2006), Roberto Giobbi (2007), Stephen Minch (2007), Ton Onosaka (2008), Herb Zarrow
(2008), Michael Weber (2009), Bob Sheets (2009), Gaëtan Bloom (2010) and Jim Steinmeyer
(2010). Filmmaker, Daniel Zuckerbrot recorded each session, all of which is now housed in the archives of Magicana.
In 2009 Ben became Director of the Magic Collectors Association, publisher and editor of its journal, Magicol and the convention chair for the annual gathering, the Magic Collectors Weekend. 2010 marked the 41st conference. Ben continues to serve as producer and Convention Chair of that event.
In 2010, Ben was invited to program and produce the Masters of Magic series for Luminato
, a festival of creativity and the arts held in Toronto. For Luminato 2010, he produced magicians Bob Sheets, The Mac King
Comedy Show, Max Maven's Thinking In Person, and North American theatrical premiere of Spain's Juan Tamariz
at the Panasonic Theatre.
In 2011 Ben was again called upon by Luminato to curate magic for the Festival. He produced three shows: Toast of the Town (Eric Mead), Natural Magick and Vodvil. While Natural Magick featured magic performed by David Ben, Vodvil involved five magic acts by artists of international acclaim – namely, The Great Tomsoni & Company
(John and Pam Thompson), Mike Caveney
, Tina Lenert
, Ardan James and Gaëtan Bloom (of France). "Vodvil" was presented in the historic Winter Garden Theatre
in Toronto keeping in step with the vaudevillian theme of the show.
His work in this field led to his book on the subject, Advantage Play, published by Key Porter Books
in 2002 (now published by Magicana).
Ben is the co-author with Patrick Watson of:
He became the publisher and editor of Magicol (ISSN 0460-5314) in 2010, a quarterly journal on magic history and collectibles that has been published since 1950.
Sleight of hand
Sleight of hand, also known as prestidigitation or legerdemain, is the set of techniques used by a magician to manipulate objects such as cards and coins secretly....
artist, illusionist, author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, publisher, keynote speaker, magic historian, magic consultant, magic collector and former tax lawyer.
He has been a professional magician, performer, entertainer and keynote speaker since 1990. Ben is known for his sleight-of-hand technique, his knowledge of magic history and his collection of magic.
He is one of the founders of Magicana—a performing arts organization dedicated to the study, exploration and advancement of magic as a performing art—and currently serves its Artistic Director. He is the publisher and editor of Magicol, a quarterly journal of magic history and collectibles. He is the sole protégé of a fellow Canadian, twentieth century sleight-of-hand artist, Ross Bertram, and biographer (and representative of the Estate) of celebrated magician, Dai Vernon
Dai Vernon
Dai Vernon , aka The Professor, was a Canadian magician. His expert sleight-of-hand technique and extensive knowledge garnered him respect among fellow magicians. His influence was considerable in the magic world, and he was a mentor to numerous famous magicians...
.
Early life and education
Ben was born March 5, 1961 and raised in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada. His interest in magic began after receiving the book, The Stein and Day Handbook of Magic by Marvin Kaye from his father in 1973. Ben's childhood interest turned into a lifelong passion after he watched the television special Doug Henning
Doug Henning
Douglas James Henning was a Canadian magician, illusionist, escape artist and politician.-Early life:...
's World of Magic (1975). Ben became a frequent visitor to the Arcade Magic and Novelty Company in Toronto, and then Morrissey Magic Ltd. While in high school, Ben worked part-time at Morrissey Magic, learning the craft from store founder and Canadian magician, Herb Morrissey.
In 1978, Ben acquired the book The Magic and Methods of Ross Bertram and in 1979, through Morrissey, Msgr. Vincent Foy
Vincent Foy
Monsignor Vincent N. Foy is a Canadian Roman Catholic cleric and theologian.He is particularly prominent as a critic of artificial contraception and what he perceives as acceptance of it by the Catholic hierarchy .He is the former head of Toronto's archdiocesan marriage tribunal.-Bibliography:* ,...
and P. Howard Lyons, met the book's author, Ross Bertram. Ben studied magic with Bertram for six years (1980–86) and became Bertram's sole protégé.
Ben graduated with a BA from University College of the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
(1983), an LLB from the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
(1987) and an LLM from the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
(1988). He articled at the firm of Macdonald & Hayden, was called to the bar in the Province of Ontario in 1989, and joined the firm of Goodman, Phillips and Vineberg (now Goodmans) as a tax lawyer.
However in 1990, after producing a series of conventions, lectures and magic shows, Ben abandoned the conventional lawyer's life to pursue the art of magic.
Charity, outreach and education
In May 2000, Ben co-founded, along with Watson and Zuckerbrot, MagicanaMagicana
Magicana is a Canadian federally incorporated not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to the study, exploration and advancement of magic as a performing art. Magicana is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors...
, a not-for-profit organization (and now a registered Canadian charity) dedicated to exploration and advancement of magic as a performing art.
He also assisted his wife Jan Howlett, an accomplished educator and former Director of Public Programming and Education for the Royal Ontario Museum
Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum is a museum of world culture and natural history in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With its main entrance facing Bloor Street in Downtown Toronto, the museum is situated north of Queen's Park and east of Philosopher's Walk in the University of Toronto...
, and Executive Director of the Children's Museum with the formation of her own school, the Howlett Academy, an independent school (K–Grade 8) located in Toronto.
In 2005, Ben developed My Magic Hands, an outreach program designed to teach creativity and develop self-confidence and self-esteem in disadvantaged youth through the medium of magic. The program received a significant pilot funding in 2005 followed by a subsequent mulit-year funding grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (2005–2008).
In 2005, inspired by his friend the late Tom Kneebone
Tom Kneebone
Tom Kneebone, was a Canadian cabaret performer and actor.Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Kneebone went to England to study at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He moved to Canada in 1963 and performed in various revues in Toronto and across Canada for decades, often with onstage partner Dinah...
and the Smile Theatre Company, Ben created Senior Sorcery, a program designed to bring magic shows to immobile seniors, the goal being to create intergenerational opportunities for the old to invite the young to share the experience of magic. Magicana continues to offer Senior Sorcery to thousands of seniors, their families and friends at centers around Toronto.
In 2009, Ben acquired the collection of late Canadian magic icon, Sid Lorraine, adding it to his already considerable magic holdings. Ben's holdings also include the collection of Stewart James, Willis Kenney, David Drake, Bruce Posgate, and items belonging to Dai Vernon (including props from the famed Harlequin Act). Ben developed a number of online exhibitions for Magicana including Ross Bertram, Master Magician 2010; Sid Lorraine: The Magical Chatterbox 2009; The Life & Magic of Stewart James 2007 (in collaboration with PhD student Joe Culpepper); Postcards of Magicians 2005, 2010; and Bert Douglas: A Family Remembers 2005, 2010).
The Conjuror (1996, 1997, 1998, 2002)
The Conjuror, with set and costumes by Kelly Wolf, had its world premiere at the Shaw Festival
Shaw Festival
The Shaw Festival is a major Canadian theatre festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, the second largest repertory theatre company in North America...
in 1996. The show had outstanding box office and critical reviews. Christopher Newton
Christopher Newton
Christopher Newton is a Canadian director and actor and served as Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival from 1980-2002.Newton was born in England and educated at Sir Roger Manwood's School in Kent, the University of Leeds, Purdue University in Indiana and the University of Illinois, where he...
, Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival, "dip[ped] his imagination in the Golden Age of Magic" and invited Ben and Watson to revisit The Conjuror the following season. The Conjuror – Part 2, with set design by William Schmuck and lighting by Bonnie Beecher, had its world premiere at the Shaw Festival in 1997 featuring "seven illusions accomplished with panache". At the end of the season, Ben and Watson amalgamated The Conjuror and The Conjuror – Part 2 into The Compleat Conjuror for a special gala fundraising performance for the Festival.
While Ben and Watson were developing The Conjuror, Ben became reacquainted with Daniel Zuckerbrot. Zuckerbrot, a documentary filmmaker, retained Ben to levitate David Suzuki
David Suzuki
David Suzuki, CC, OBC is a Canadian academic, science broadcaster and environmental activist. Suzuki earned a Ph.D in zoology from the University of Chicago in 1961, and was a professor in the genetics department of the University of British Columbia from 1963 until his retirement in 2001...
, the host of The Nature of Things
The Nature of Things
The Nature of Things is a Canadian television series of documentary programs. It debuted on the CBC on November 6, 1960. Many of the programs document nature and the effect that humans have on it. The program was one of the first to explore environmental issues, such as clear-cut logging...
, for a Zuckerbrot film "Martin Gardner
Martin Gardner
Martin Gardner was an American mathematics and science writer specializing in recreational mathematics, but with interests encompassing micromagic, stage magic, literature , philosophy, scientific skepticism, and religion...
: Mathemagician" (1995). Zuckerbrot proposed recording the development of The Conjuror. The result was "A Conjuror in the Making" (1997), which aired on the Adrienne Clarkson
Adrienne Clarkson
Adrienne Louise Clarkson is a Canadian journalist and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 26th since Canadian Confederation....
Presents on the CBC and on Breakfast with the Arts
Breakfast with the Arts
Breakfast with the Arts is a television program that aired on A&E from 1991 until 2007.Over the years, the show featured performances and interviews from all facets of the performing arts including rock, jazz, and classical, music, Broadway, film, dance, and books...
on the A&E Network
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
in the United States. The film follows magician David Ben and director Patrick Watson through rehearsal, show development and finally to the opening night performance at the Shaw Festival. The documentary won gold at WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, and the Chris Statuette at the Columbus International Film & Video Festival.
In 1997, Lindsay Sharp
Lindsay Sharp
Dr Lindsay Sharp is a museologist and writer living near Berry in the coastal hinterland of New South Wales in Australia, working on two large novels....
, then Director of the Royal Ontario Museum
Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum is a museum of world culture and natural history in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With its main entrance facing Bloor Street in Downtown Toronto, the museum is situated north of Queen's Park and east of Philosopher's Walk in the University of Toronto...
, invited Ben to stage The Conjuror at the ROM. Ben and his team refurbished the theatre in the Museum – a theatre that had been dormant for theatrical productions for 35 years. A 90-minute version of The Conjuror opened in December 1997 at Theatre ROM and ran for four months. It then embarked on a regional theatre tour of Ontario in the summer of 1998 "deftly conjuring [a] charming show".
The play was remounted to continued acclaim in Toronto in 2002, now with original music by John Lang, and ran for six weeks.
The Conjuror's Suite (1999, 2000)
In 1999, Ben and Watson created a new 90-minute show—The Conjuror's Suite—an exploration of parlor magicParlor magic
Parlor magic is done for larger audiences than close-up magic and for smaller audiences than stage magic. In parlor magic, the performer is usually standing and on the same level as the audience, which may be seated on chairs or even on the floor. According to the Encyclopedia of Magic and...
inspired by the work of Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser
Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser
Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser was a minor employee at the financial department of the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy. He was never a doctor of philosophy; there is no such title in his working descriptions. He used the name Dr. Hofzinser as a stage name after retiring in 1865...
and Max Malini
Max Malini
Max Malini was a Jewish illusionist who at his peak performed for several US Presidents, had command performances at Buckingham Palace, and received gifts from monarchs across Europe and Asia. Magicians are said to revere him for his skill and bold accomplishments.Malini's performance style was...
. With Ed Kotanen's design and Bonnie Beecher's lighting, Ben and Watson created a three-quarter surround theatre in the Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall at the Royal Ontario Museum for the show. The Conjuror's Suite received critical acclaim, and Ben was invited to restage the work by Curtis Barlow at the Charlottetown Festival
Charlottetown Festival
The Charlottetown Festival is a seasonal Canadian musical theatre festival which runs from late May to mid-October every year since 1965.Named after its host city, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, since its inception the festival has showcased Canada's most popular and longest-running musical,...
in Prince Edward Island for the summer of 2000.
Tricks (2004)
Collaborating again with Watson, Ben wrote a new theatrical work, Tricks—a post-modern show focusing on the classics of magic. He returned to the stage with critical success. Designer credits: set design by David Rayfield, lighting by Bonnie Beecher and an original score by John Lang. The work was presented in 2004 at Artword Theatre (Toronto) in collaboration with MagicanaMagicana
Magicana is a Canadian federally incorporated not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to the study, exploration and advancement of magic as a performing art. Magicana is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors...
.
Natural Magick (2011)
In 2011, Ben mounted a new show, Natural Magick which was produced by Magicana in collaboration with the Luminato Festival. This show was inspired by John Baptista della Porta's 1558 scientific treatise, "Natural Magick", Shahrazad's tales, Kenneth BurkeKenneth Burke
Kenneth Duva Burke was a major American literary theorist and philosopher. Burke's primary interests were in rhetoric and aesthetics.-Personal history:...
's A Grammar of Motives and the modern notions of magic as espoused by master magician, Dai Vernon
Dai Vernon
Dai Vernon , aka The Professor, was a Canadian magician. His expert sleight-of-hand technique and extensive knowledge garnered him respect among fellow magicians. His influence was considerable in the magic world, and he was a mentor to numerous famous magicians...
. The new work featured a set by David Rayfield and multimedia imagery by Cameron Davis, lighting by Bonnie Beecher and music by John Lang. Ben presented new sleight-of-hand pieces from his repertoire and received critical acclaim for his work. Natural Magick was a top pick for the Festival. Natural Magick was presented as as part of the Master of Magic series for Luminato at the Tarragon Theatre (Toronto).
Producer
Ben produced a number of magic conventions, lectures and magic shows including NYCAN '83 (convention), a gathering of 300 magicians. In the same year, he also became one of the first to produce Penn & Teller in their two-man show at the Ritz Theatre in Toronto.In 2003, Ben started producing through Magicana, and in association with Allan Slaight, a conference called 31 Faces North in which he and Slaight invited thirty-one of the world's foremost experts and practitioners of magic and promising young magicians to participate in a four day think-tank of magic. The attendees represented a who's who of magic including Guest of Honours: Jay Marshall (2003), Tommy Wonder (2003), Johnny Thompson
Johnny Thompson
Johnny Thompson is a Polish-American Las Vegas illusionist who performs under the stage name The Great Tomsoni with his wife, Pamela Hayes. They have a comedic slapstick act with the well-dressed Thompson and his gum-popping assistant, Pam, performing illusions while enduring a series of mishaps...
(2004), Harry Riser (2004), Billy McComb
Billy McComb
Billy McComb was a magician and comedian. He was one of the United Kingdom's leading magicians in the 1950s and 1960s, before taking up residence in Los Angeles, California in the 1970s.-Early life:...
(2005), Charles Reynolds
Charles Reynolds (magician)
Charles Raymond Reynolds was a behind-the-scenes magician involved with virtually every elements of magic production—inventing illusions, producing and direction magic acts, helping performers perfect their acts, and writing on the subject.Reynolds was born in in Toledo, Ohio, and as a...
(2005), Max Maven
Max Maven
Max Maven is an American magician and mentalist. He often appears on television magic shows to perform "interactive" mind reading tricks that work for the television audience....
(2006), Bob White (2006), Roberto Giobbi (2007), Stephen Minch (2007), Ton Onosaka (2008), Herb Zarrow
Herb Zarrow
Herb Zarrow was an American magician influential in the profession for his inventions of unique sleight of hand and card tricks. His skills were held in the highest regard in professional magicians' circles....
(2008), Michael Weber (2009), Bob Sheets (2009), Gaëtan Bloom (2010) and Jim Steinmeyer
Jim Steinmeyer
Jim Steinmeyer is an internationally respected designer of magical illusions and theatrical special effects. His best known illusions include Origami, Interlude, and Walking Through a Mirror. He is also an author, consultant and producer....
(2010). Filmmaker, Daniel Zuckerbrot recorded each session, all of which is now housed in the archives of Magicana.
In 2009 Ben became Director of the Magic Collectors Association, publisher and editor of its journal, Magicol and the convention chair for the annual gathering, the Magic Collectors Weekend. 2010 marked the 41st conference. Ben continues to serve as producer and Convention Chair of that event.
In 2010, Ben was invited to program and produce the Masters of Magic series for Luminato
Luminato
Luminato - Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, is a publicly-attended, multi-disciplinary arts festival held annually for 10 days each June in Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
, a festival of creativity and the arts held in Toronto. For Luminato 2010, he produced magicians Bob Sheets, The Mac King
Mac King
Mac King is a comedy magician who has performed on television specials, often as a co-host. He has his own family-friendly show, "The Mac King Comedy Magic Show," at the Harrah's Las Vegas in the Clint Holmes Theater....
Comedy Show, Max Maven's Thinking In Person, and North American theatrical premiere of Spain's Juan Tamariz
Juan Tamariz
Juan Tamariz-Martel Negrón is a Spanish magician.He is an experienced cardician, a magician specializing in magic with playing cards, and well respected by his peers as an authority in the field of misdirection...
at the Panasonic Theatre.
In 2011 Ben was again called upon by Luminato to curate magic for the Festival. He produced three shows: Toast of the Town (Eric Mead), Natural Magick and Vodvil. While Natural Magick featured magic performed by David Ben, Vodvil involved five magic acts by artists of international acclaim – namely, The Great Tomsoni & Company
Johnny Thomson
Johnny Thomson was an American racecar driver. Thomson was nicknamed "the Flying Scot."-Midget cars:...
(John and Pam Thompson), Mike Caveney
Mike Caveney
Mike Caveney is an American magician, author, publisher, magic historian and collector. He is a life-member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood and a member of The Magic Circle of London. His work as a magician and publisher spans over four decades...
, Tina Lenert
Tina Lenert
Tina Lenert is an American magician, mime and harpist. She has performed worldwide and is known for combining elements of pantomime and magic. For many years she has been a regular performer at the world famous Magic Castle, in Hollywood where she has been voted Stage Magician of the Year by the...
, Ardan James and Gaëtan Bloom (of France). "Vodvil" was presented in the historic Winter Garden Theatre
Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres
The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres are a pair of stacked theatres in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Winter Garden theatre is seven stories above the Elgin Theatre....
in Toronto keeping in step with the vaudevillian theme of the show.
Magic Consultant
Ben served as the Magic Consultant in a number of areas including:- Television (Canada's Walk of FameCanada's Walk of FameCanada's Walk of Fame , located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a walk of fame that acknowledges the achievements and accomplishments of successful Canadians...
– Doug HenningDoug HenningDouglas James Henning was a Canadian magician, illusionist, escape artist and politician.-Early life:...
induction (2010); Murdoch MysteriesMurdoch MysteriesMurdoch Mysteries is a Canadian drama television series that airs on Citytv, featuring Yannick Bisson as William Murdoch, a police detective working in Toronto, Ontario in the 1890s. The television series is based on the Detective Murdoch series of novels by Maureen Jennings. The fifth season was...
(2009)) - Commercials (Tim Hortons, Coolpix)
- Movies (Kit Kittredge: An American GirlKit Kittredge: An American GirlKit Kittredge: An American Girl is a 2008 American comedy-drama film directed by Patricia Rozema. The screenplay by Ann Peacock focuses on the American Girl character Kit Kittredge, who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio during the Great Depression...
(2008)) - Documentaries ("The Wizards of Awe" (1992) for CBC's The Journal; "Martin Gardner Mathemagician" (1996) for CBC's The Nature of Things; "Dai Vernon – The Spirit of Magic" (1999) and "The Strange Genius of Stewart James" (2006) for History TelevisionHistory TelevisionHistory Television is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel that presents programming about history and some non-historical programming of military, science and technology interest. It is owned by Shaw Media. Its French language counterpart is Historia.The channel operates two...
's The Canadians – Biographies of a Nation; "Heroes of Magic" 2000 for Thames Television; and "The Last Illusion" (2005) for Markham Cook) - Short films (Yes/No (2010) by Brian Johnson inspired by the poems of Dennis LeeDennis Lee (author)Dennis Beynon Lee, OC, MA is a Canadian poet, teacher, editor, and critic born in Toronto, Ontario. He is also a children's writer, well known for his book of children's rhymes, Alligator Pie.-Life:...
) - Theatre (Piff Paff Poof (2011) for MagicanaMagicanaMagicana is a Canadian federally incorporated not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to the study, exploration and advancement of magic as a performing art. Magicana is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors...
; TravestiesTravestiesTravesties is a play by Tom Stoppard.The play centres on the figure of Henry Carr, an elderly man who reminisces about Zürich in 1917 during the First World War, and his interactions with James Joyce when he was writing Ulysses, Tristan Tzara during the rise of Dada, and Lenin leading up to the...
(2009) for Soulpepper Theatre; One Touch of VenusOne Touch of VenusOne Touch of Venus is a musical with music written by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ogden Nash, and book by S. J. Perelman and Nash, based on the novella The Tinted Venus by Thomas Anstey Guthrie, and very loosely spoofing the Pygmalion myth. The show satirizes contemporary American suburban values,...
(2010) for the Shaw Festival; Living in Las Vegas, Live at the Rio (2009) for Penn & Teller; The Scarlet PimpernelThe Scarlet PimpernelThe Scarlet Pimpernel is a play and adventure novel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, set during the Reign of Terror following the start of the French Revolution. The story is a precursor to the "disguised superhero" tales such as Zorro and Batman....
(2002) for the Stratford Festival; School for Scoundrels for Soulpepper Theatre; and Merlin (2002) for Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People) - Literature (Divisadero (2007) by Michael OndaatjeMichael OndaatjePhilip Michael Ondaatje , OC, is a Sri Lankan-born Canadian novelist and poet of Burgher origin. He is perhaps best known for his Booker Prize-winning novel, The English Patient, which was adapted into an Academy-Award-winning film.-Life and work:...
)
Keynote speaker
In 1990, in addition to performing magic at corporate functions, Ben started speaking about creativity, innovation and problem-solving using the metaphor of magic to a wide range of businesses and associations in Canada and the United States.His work in this field led to his book on the subject, Advantage Play, published by Key Porter Books
Key Porter Books
Key Porter Books is a Canadian book publishing company. Founded in 1979 by Canadian publisher Anna Porter and Key Publishers Limited of Toronto, the company specializes in Canadian non-fiction, although it has published some fiction titles as well. A controlling share of the company was purchased...
in 2002 (now published by Magicana).
Writer and biographer
Ben is the author of:- 2002: Advantage Play: The Manager's Guide To Creative Problem Solving, Toronto: Key Porter Books. ISBN 978-1552633496
- 2003: Tricks, Chicago: Squash Publishing. ISBN 09744610X
- 2006: Dai Vernon: A Biography – Artist, Magician, Muse Vol. 1, Chicago: Squash Publishing. Toronto: Magicana. ISBN 978-0974468150
- 2008: Zarrow: A Lifetime of Magic, New Jersey: Meir Yedid Magic. ISBN 978-0981916613
Ben is the co-author with Patrick Watson of:
- 1996: The Conjuror (play; based on a fictitious Canadian magician set in 1909)
- 1999: The Conjuror's Suite (play; based on Edwardian magician performing a salon magic show)
- 2004: Tricks (play; based on a modern day magician)
- 2011: Natural Magick (play; exploring magic as a theatrical art)
Publisher
Ben, in partnership with Magicana, is the publisher and editor of:- 2007: The Essential Stewart James by Stewart James. Toronto: Magicana. ISBN 978-0978067526
- 2008: Spins and Needles: The Magic of Allan Slaight by Allan Slaight. Toronto: Magicana. ISBN 978-0978067533
- 2008: How Gamblers Wi] by a Retried Professional. Toronto: Magicana. ISBN 978-0978067540
- 2010: A Grand Expose of The Science of Gambling by An Adept. Toronto: Magicana. ISBN 978-0978067588
- 2011: A Cut Above by Msgr Vincent FoyVincent FoyMonsignor Vincent N. Foy is a Canadian Roman Catholic cleric and theologian.He is particularly prominent as a critic of artificial contraception and what he perceives as acceptance of it by the Catholic hierarchy .He is the former head of Toronto's archdiocesan marriage tribunal.-Bibliography:* ,...
. Toronto: Magicana. ISBN 978-0978067595
He became the publisher and editor of Magicol (ISSN 0460-5314) in 2010, a quarterly journal on magic history and collectibles that has been published since 1950.