MAGIC and SLEIGHTS OF HAND: Jim Frank

Jim Frank has been practicing and performing magic for approximately 30 years. In that time, he has dazzled closeup audiences in a myriad of venues, in dozens of costumes and themes. Relying on interactivity, the cornerstone of closeup magic, Jim brings his audiences through the manipulations so that young and old alike are entranced in the magic.

See Jim at his own website, Period Productions.

A major portion of Jim's performance year finds him entertaining at Renaissance Festivals. Although he choreographs the festival stunts, he still finds time to perform magic for small groups.

Seen here performing at the Maryland Renaissance Festival in 1998, Jim has been instrumental in incorporating closeup magic locations across the festival site. Believing that guests should be constantly enjoying themselves, he helped create the magic corners so that the audiences would feel they receive personal attention from each show.

Interested in the historical aspects of magic, Jim has also sought to study the older tricks to present them at the period events he performs. An example would be his study of the chain technique, "Fast and Loose", which was written about by Shakespeare and has now become a common phrase in the English language; Jim spent months researching all available notations of the technique to perform it for period festivals.

Many events require specialty costumes and needs. 

Jim dressed as Benjamin Franklin for an "American"-themed city festival, where he performed sleights of hand as the famous man. In this venue, "Ben" performed period magic including some with "electric" results.

Performers find that variety IS the spice of life. Jim comes equipped with many magic skills and the supplies for each special event, including appropriate dress.

Jim Frank performing his "Fast and Loose" chain routine at a Civil War-era cotillion ball, given by theatrical company Vpstart Crow, Inc.   At the fundraiser cotillion, guests, costumed or black tie, were treated to period food, festivities, and entertainments.

Other costume looks can include:

-- Riverboat Gambler (see left)
-- "Festive" Black Tie
--  Western
-- etc.