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...every time I come across a brainchild of Chris Wardle's I learn something.

Geoffrey Durham

Chris is a performer and inventor who has authored effects for a wide range of publications including:

• Alchemy
• The Budget
• The Cauldron
• The Linking Ring, with a One Man Parade in 2004
• The Magic Circular
• Club 71
• The Magician
• The Best of Alchemy Card Magic
• Lee Earle's Syzygy - The Journal of Contemporary Mentalism
• Al Smith's The Labal
• Magicseen
• Secrets - magazine for The Young Magicians Club
• Mystery Magazine

Chris was invited to contribute to 'The World of Children's Magic', all profits are going to a number of global children's charities. It contains routines and tips from a host of top performers and inventors. It is available through Practical Magic.

Chris is the author of 'Magic for Everyone' a book of ideas and effects for magicians, available from Practical Magic. He is also the author of 'Mathomagic', a book of magic tricks, puzzles and number investigations, designed for children to explore the magic of mathematics - it is available from the usual book outlets.

Three booklets have been written by Chris and published by Paul Hallas in the USA:

• Ten Mysteries
• Investigating the Mene Tekel Deck
• Beyond Svengali

His 'Zodiac Principle' was released by Magical Wonders in the UK.

Chris has also helped to devise effects for Sam Dalal.

A keen contributor to Goodliffe's 'Abracadabra' magazine Chris has had over 100 articles published.

He has also contributed to Peter Duffie's acclaimed 'Mindblasters' mentalism collection.

Chris is also the inventor of the Dual Magic Square, which can not only be inverted, but it also produces two different totals! The square can be seen in the left sidebar and details about it can be viewed by following this www.markfarrar.co.uk/chris-wardles-dual-magic-square.htm where it has been kindly published by Mark Farrar on his dedicated magic squares website.

Chris has lectured at a number of magical societies including the world famous Magic Circle and he both lectured and performed in the Gala show at the Scottish Association of Magical Societies Convention in 2005. In 2009, Chris was invited to be the special guest lecturer at the International Jadukar Chakra Magic Festival in India. (Chris lectured via a film recorded especially for the event.)

Congratulations on giving a faultless, very professional and very interesting lecture. I thought your lecture was generous, in that you packed in so much and gave so many ideas away for free, as well as being well-paced and well-delivered....

Ian Rowland

Alongside his good friend Alan Maskell, M.I.M.C with Gold Star, Chris has presented a unique two hander lecture where he and Alan offer a wide range of material to suit all performing situations. Their complementary approaches to devising magic give societies a full evening of ideas and effects which have been very well received.

In 2006, Chris and Alan presented their lecture at the Peterborough Society of Magicians 'One Day Convention' as well as various club evenings around the country.

The joint lecture brings the experience of these two magical inventors together to offer a unique evening of ideas and entertaining magic.

We were royally entertained and the combination of serious and comedy material for both adults and children ensured that whatever their taste in magic there was something for all our members to savour.

Anglian Magic Society

Alan has performed his magic in a whole host of locations, from London theatres to close-up at The Dorchester, stand up in Covent Garden to front room children's parties. He has performed regularly at Magic Circle events and has made the occasional radio and television appearance.

He has enjoyed residencies in restaurants, at Centre Parcs and he has used his skills to help launch the Harry Potter books.

Alan has lectured, performed and compered at the Scottish Association of Magical Societies Conventions. He has led workshops at a number of conventions.

In 2007 Alan won the originality award and achieved third place in the International Brotherhood of Magicians convention, receiving the Alastair Wand.

Alan has had his creations published in 'Abra', 'The Linking Ring' and by 'Magical Wonders'.

As a student Chris wrote comedy sketches for The Russ Abbott Show and Smith and Jones. He was the magic consultant to Nick Warburton's 2006 Edinburgh Fringe production of 'Dr Faustus' and created effects for Jack Barton's 2011 Edinburgh Fringe mentalism show 'Fate and Two Sugars'.

Chris has devised ideas for top British magician Geoffrey Durham, which he has used during his appearances on Channel 4's Countdown. Chris has also devised an effect which has become part of Geoffrey's stage show and cabaret work. Geoffrey's acclaimed book 'Professional Secrets' devotes an entire chapter to this effect.

Review:
Lecture by Chris Wardle at THE HARROGATE SOCIETY OF MAGICIANS, 18th July 2011, review by James Ward, M.M.C.

Tonight the Society enjoyed a rare treat – a lecture by Chris Wardle A.I.M.C. Chris is a prolific inventor, having, over the years, written for more than a dozen magazines. As well as authoring more than a hundred original effects, he has created dealer items, had booklets published and even written his own book, Magic for Everyone. He's also created original stage and television material for Geoffrey Durham, and, more recently, contributed to Peter Duffie's successful Mindblasters e-series.

Chris has lectured all round the country, from The Magic Circle to the Scottish SAMS convention and various points in-between. A packed meeting – with members from York, Bradford and Leeds helping to swell numbers – was not disappointed. For almost two hours Chris ranged widely. His lively, colourful and always entertaining lecture featured mentalism, close-up, stage and children’s entertainment – an absolute feast of trickery.

Though it was only mid-July, Chris even threw in a couple of Christmas effects which will, I'm sure, be going into several members' Yuletide repertoires. Chris's watchword is 'simplicity'. No knuckle-busting sleights or complicated moves were involved – just easy, well-thought-out routines geared towards providing maximum entertainment value and allowing the performer to concentrate on the all-important presentation. Though it's unfair to single out any one item, 'The Moveable Prediction' – a routine inspired by a Bob Hummer, Stewart James and Mel Stover effect – probably garnered the biggest round of applause of the evening, with members talking about it long after the meeting closed.

If you get the chance to see Chris lecture, don’t pass it up. As well as an abundance of first-rate material, his knowledge of magical principles is extensive, and you will certainly – as Geoffrey Durham has said of Chris – 'learn something', or, at the very least, be inspired to dig deeper yourself.

A terrific evening.

Copyright 2007-2012 ChrisWardle.co.uk