On April 8th, 2026, IBM Ring 49, The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club travelled down highway 401 to London Ontario to perform for IBM Ring 265, the London Magicians Guild, as our side of a club exchange (they will perform for us in Hamilton Ontario on May 12th, 2026). These events are great because although they tend to be for a forgiving audience who ‘have been there’, you are also keenly aware of the fact that the audience both knows how most effects are done, and how they are supposed to look – yikes!
This year, Rick Rossinni took the lead role, acting as our MC and a Keynote performer. As well as doing a great job introducing each performer, Rick performed several short routines between acts including a paper tear routine, Silk and Candle, a version of Professor’s Nightmare, a color changing silk with a Silk Tube, Billard Balls, Chinese Sticks, Teach a Trick with silk and an Egg, and a fantastic 3 Ring Linking Rings routine. Rick’s range is truly impressive, and his personality and patter were the adhesives that united the other performer’s presentations.
Rick first introduced Peter Wiltshire, who astounded the assembly with several Wand themed effects. First, Peter showed his new wand and the box he built for it. This is an effect where the wand passes through either of two slots for it, at first, but then the wand enters one slot but stick out the other/wrong one. Next a wand showed off some impressive (impossible) electronics, followed by a Rising Card box assisted by a supporting wand. Peter next took a Die with a hole through it, passed a ribbon through the hole, and then the die escaped. Peter finished with a fantastic “REVERSE” routine using lettered tiles. Most of Peter’s props are handmade wooden items of his own construction.
Victor Staniewski performed an incredible effect which combined a D-Lite, Zombie Ball, a candle and white flower in a fantasy filled presentation. The light floated around, passing from item to item and through his body in a magical and fascinating way. Next Vic performed a very humorous Multiplying bottles routine and then ended with a two card (Jumbo) effect that was as fun as it was captivating.
Next it was my turn (Rene chouinard), and I opened with a short story about life involving a strong script and a little bit of fire. One of my children works in the airlines industry so a short effect with a flying plane was a bit of fun, followed with a short bit about Sailor Sam (a Production Tube effect). A Floating Ball (Invisible Thread) followed, and then I closed with a Gibson Box effect.
Our finally was a mentalism effect called Gladiator performed by one of our newest members Jonny Gracia. Jonny is making a return to magic after having had a successful professional career in Brazil. Gladiator involved four members of the audience in role-playing a game based on Rock, Paper, Scissors which ended with a fulfilled prediction. Fun for the audience and completely mystifying.
Okay Ring 265 – ball is fully in your court. Can’t wait to see what you bring to our May 12th meeting.
rene chouinard