Official blog of the UKEA

Welcome to the United Kingdom Escape Artists' official blog. If you've got a news story you'd like to share email us at [email protected].

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Theft in entertainment - by Roslyn Walker

For those of us in the world of show business our act is what pays the bills, keeps food on our tables and a roof over our heads. So when another performer decides to take that act, copy it exactly and perform it as their own it is quite right for the originator to be upset about it. In the past few months there has been many examples of magicians using acts that others rely on, and have relied on for years, in such a way that it destroys their income and the ability to carry on working. Creating an act, or even just a single routine within an act, takes time and money. What an audience sees has probably gone through many variations before becoming the polished product that’s performed for them. Within the magical arts, where the inner workings of a trick have to be kept secret, copying can have even more severe consequences. Especially when those secrets are taken and not only performed but also put up for sale to anyone to buy. This is the case with one of Teller’s signature pieces. He is claiming that a Dutch magician has not only taken his act and performed it in his show, but is also offering the secret for sale. It has been said that Teller even offered him money to stop performing and selling the routine, but the Dutch magician wanted more and so Teller has taken the decision to sue. You can read more about this story here: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/penn-and-teller-star-raymond-teller-sues-magician-over-rights-to-magic-trick-7648105.html But what for the rest of us? How can we protect our routines from rogue performers who will take anything just to make a quick buck? Some will say it's the nature of things. Others will say that it helps breed creativity. But I say theft is theft. And no amount of sugar coating will change that. I completely back Teller's choice to protect his work. But a lot of what gets exposed has been handed down from one performer to another for generations and there is no way of tracing the original creator. These effects still shouldn't be in the public domain. These effects, more than any other, should be the ones performers protect the most because they can't be protected by law. In every society there are those with low morals. But it is up to those individual communities to outcast those who step over the line. Unfortunately these people are being protected, nurtured and encouraged by others who should know better. The magical arts are in a sorry state of affairs and something needs to be done.

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Minimum Pricing Will Kill Rural Cider Production

Unless you are an avid drinker of traditional farmhouse cider you probably haven't heard about the governments plans to introduce a minimum price on drinks with a high alcohol content, this will include cider. The reason for this policy is to try and curb the country's thirst for binge drinking. But the knock-on effect will mean that traditional farmhouse cider makers will also have to hike up their prices. And we're not talking a few pence either. It's looking likely that if this policy gets passed a gallon of scrumpy that currently costs just £5 when bought on the farm straight from the barrel would cost more than double, about £12 per gallon. Maybe more. I understand why the government want to do this. The country has a problem and they want to be seen to be tackling it. However, traditional cider drinkers aren't part of the binge drinking culture. In fact I doubt very much that anyone who necks electric blue alcopops on a Saturday night like they're going out of fashion would be the same people who buy a gallon of scrumpy from a Somerset farm to share with friends. Treating these two groups of people in the same way is wrong, but what has any of it got to do with us? Well as many of the UKEA members know, it's outdoor events that form the bread and butter of the working escape artist. Many of these outdoor events are country fairs. And these fairs are chock full of traditional country things. Things like sheep herding, cattle shows and the selling of traditional farm produce. Cider falls into this category. If selling cider becomes too pricey there will be empty stalls at many a country fair. The fewer traders means less money in rent for an event, which means something has to go. One of those things could quite easily be one of us. Either cutting the act completely, or cutting the fee so dramatically that a professional act would choose not to perform. In turn this leaves the door open for those "not-so-professional" acts to step in. And that will ultimately end everything. So what we need to do is stand together with all those who have something to lose, and the easiest way to show solidarity is to sign this online petition. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/32849 You have to be a UK citizen, so of you're not please pass this on to anyone you know who is. And of course if you are, fill it in and then pass on the link. Stick it on your Facebook, post it on twitter or tattoo it to your face. Anything to get the word out. We need 1000 signatures minimum for it to even get a mention in parliament. So every name really does count. Save traditional cider, keep the country fair alive, keep EAs in work! http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/32849

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The Escape

The Escape is a film project celebrating the life and escapes of magician Bunny Neill. His daughter, Jessica, is heading the project and plans to recreate one of her father's greatest escape challenges. In 1967 Bunny was challenged by the Jersey Sun to escape from a sack, with his hands and feet cuffed. He was then nailed into a wooden packing crate and lowered into the Jersey Harbour. A fantastic escape in the truest sense you'd have to agree. Jessica is currently looking for sponsorship to help fund this project. You can also watch her short pledge video here: http://www.sponsume.com/project/escape-0

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Escapology on TV - by Roslyn Walker

I sat thinking about escapology on TV, or the lack of it, and started to wonder why. As far as I'm aware we haven't had a full escape related series hit UK screens. Certainly not in the 31 years that forms my lifetime. We've had escapes form elements of TV shows. I myself having appeared on Big Brother's Little Brother and on Odd One In. Before that we had David Straitjacket appear on various talk shows, and of course we've had illusions presented as escapes most recently on The Magicians, which I have to be honest did nothing for me. Not the suspended straitjacket performed by Luis de Matos in series 1 nor the exploding car off a cliff performed by Barry and Stuart in series 2. Anyway, the closest we've come to an escape series is Jonathan Goodwin's 7 Stupidest Things to Escape From and his two episodes of Death Wish Live, where he attempted to cheat the gallows and get buried alive. In the US he had One Way Out on Discovery. I heard talk of it airing here in the UK, but not having Sky or Cable I don't know if this ever happened. Having not seen the show I can't comment, but going by the many online reviews I've read it seemed to split the audience in half. Some loved it, others seemed to hate it. But its a very even 50/50 split. Despite many saying they loved the show Discovery cancelled it after just 6 episodes, which seems odd. So does this mean TV is just the wrong medium for escapology? I do a lot of live shows and people love the escapes. They always draw a crowd at outdoor events despite there being many other attractions bidding for people's attention. Why is it then TV networks don't want to know? What is it about an escape act that makes it unmissable viewing in the live arena but undesirable viewing when presented on TV? Steve Santini, as you will have seen from previous UKEA blog entries, has a new show. In it you see him perform some of his trademark escapes. But it's not an escape show, it's essentially an antiques type of show. When Houdini tried to break into the then new medium of film using his escapes the movies flopped despite him being an international superstar. If someone of Houdini's calibre can't make it work should we all learn the lesson that escapes just don't sell well on TV? I believe that there needs to be time to explore the story behind the escape. The audience needs to get to know the artist and there needs to be a reason for doing what he/she is about to do. From what I've read One Way Out started as a 1 hour show. And people loved it. But then the series got made and it got cut to 30 minutes. From what I've read this may have accounted hugely towards its failure. By halving the running time you seriously reduce the amount of time allocated to exploring the back story thus dooming any escape show. So maybe escapes are better suited to one hour specials that have time for the audience to really get to know the performer rather than short, sharp 30 minute shows that can't offer this. What do you think?

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David Straitjacket's new website

So, I've been trawling the web looking for escape related bits when I stumbled across UK Escape Artist David Straitjacket's new website. It's good to see David back in the saddle and hopefully this marks the beginning for a host of new escapes, challenges and shows from one of the UK's more creative EAs. For those that don't know David, he's a pro EA and sword swallower based in Manchester, UK and has a vast collection of world records, TV appearances and international tours under his belt. Check out www.davidescapes.com for more info on this UK escape artist.

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UKEA on Twitter

The UKEA has entered the 21st Century! Not only do we have our own website and blog, but we also have our very own fancy pants Twitter feed. You can follow us @OfficialUKEA or by heading over to www.twitter.com/OfficialUKEA If you've not signed up to Twitter, this is the perfect reason to do so. Not only will you be able to stay connected with us but you'll also be able to stay connected with other UKEA members and escapologists from around the globe.

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Deals From the Dark Side - Houdini Cuffs

Those of you in the UK may not have caught Canadian escape artist Steve Santini's latest TV show called Deals Fron the Dark Side.

Its not an escape show, but in this episode he does take a look at a pair of handcuffs that could have belonged to legendary Victorian escape artist Harry Houdini.

There's also a lovely little interview with the Queen of escapology, Dorothy Dietriche.

Catch the full episode here.

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A possible challenge handcuff

Found this whilst trawling eBay today, its a pair of handcuffs that secure with a single padlock.

You can find the listing here.

But just incase you're visiting us after the listing has ended below are a couple of images for you to look at.

Using these with a borrowed padlock would certainly create quite a challenge, especially if the padlock's keyhole was facing the prisoner or if these were placed on with hands at the rear.

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The Antique's Road Show

On the 11th March handcuff expert and UKEA member Chris Gower appeared on the BBC's Antique's Road Show when they visited West Sussex.

Chris discussed some of his extensive handcuff collection and gave an insight into what it takes to become so knowledgeable on these restraints.

If you missed it you can watch the full episode here.

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UKEA 2012 meeting

The annual UKEA meeting was held on the 24th March in Northampton this year and we had a great turn out. Professional performers mixed with expert handcuff collectors, historians and locksmiths to create a fantastic day of sharing, learning and teaching.

Guest speakers gave talks on everything from police handcuffing technique to escapes as modern art.

There were demonstrations of long forgotten escapes as well as classics from the days of Harry Houdini himself.

A myriad of handcuffs, locks and other restraints were also on show for members to look at (and in many instances try on).

Pro escape artist Roslyn Walker said: "It was an awesome day. I can't reveal too much about what goes on, but lets just say the UKEA annual meeting isn't your usual AGM.

"Every year I learn something new. And just when you think you can't learn anything else someone pulls a handcuff or other device I've never seen before out of a bag.

"For me the highlight was receiving a very special lock from the World's Most Handcuffed Man, Nick Janson. It's a completely unique piece that he used to use in his act during the 1970s that will soon be a feature in mine.

"To me this sums up what the UKEA is all about. The passing down of knowledge from one EA to another."

When you're at the meeting one thing you'll notice almost immediately is the deep respect the younger lads all have for the older guys who have worked hard touring their shows for decades. In some cases they've been on the road for some 40-50 years and they're still going strong. You very rarely find that kind of respect in any other walk of life these days and it's what makes the UKEA so special.

As one member said, this year was the best meeting so far. And those who were there will most certainly agree.

For more information on the UKEA you can visit www.UnitedKingdomEscapeArtists.co.uk.