Tim Ellis (magician) explained

Tim Ellis
Birth Place:Melbourne
Occupation:Magician, illusionist, publisher, producer
Website:www.timellismagic.com

Tim Ellis is an Australian performer, author and lecturer in the world of magic and illusion.

Biography

Ellis was born in Melbourne.[1] He began performing magic at the age of nine after his grandfather gave him a magic set as a gift.[2] [3] [4] [5] At the age of 14 he was the youngest magician ever admitted to The Magic Circle of Victoria and two years later won four out of their five annual awards. In 1980, he won the title 'Best Under 18 Magician of Australia'.[6]

In 1986, he created and produced 'National Magic Week',[7] a ten-day festival of the magical arts which was presented annually for the next nine years. In 1989, Ellis made national headlines when he locked himself in a crate, sealed it with chains, and was dropped into the Yarra River to promote Magic Week.[8]

Ellis produced and edited 'Australian Magic Monthly',[9] [10] a national publication for magicians which came out monthly for 100 issues, while writing a regular column on the Australian magic scene for the international Genii.[11]

Ellis was married to Kristina Todorovich from 1990 to 1998.

Ellis created 'MagicSports'[12] [13] [14] a form of improvised magic games based on Keith Johnstone's 'Theatre Sports'.

In 1992 he bought Australia's oldest magic shop, 'Bernard's Magic Shop'[15] [16] which he owned for several years.

In 1994 he was awarded second place in 'Micro Magic' at the FISM World Magic Championship in Yokohama, Japan.[17] This followed the 'Special Prize of the Jury' he was awarded at the 1991 FISM in Lausanne, Switzerland for his 'Six Card Rap'.[18] [19]

Ellis was married to Sue-Anne Webster from 1998 to 2011.[20] Ellis performed as a guest artist at the FISM World Championship of Magic, performing in the Close Up Gala in 2000 and the Stage Gala in 2003.[21] In 2001, Ellis and Webster were voted 'Most Valuable Performers' by their peers at the close up magic convention 'Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic' in Batavia, New York.[22]

Ellis sat on the jury at the FISM World Championship of Magic in 2003 at Den Haag, in 2006 at Stockholm, and 2009 in Beijing.[23] In 2004 Ellis and Webster produced three magic teaching DVDs,[24] [25] [26] and together with a team of Melbourne magicians they set a new Guinness World Record for the world's longest magic show by performing non-stop for 75 hours at Luna Park, Melbourne, Australia.[27] [28] The previous record was 24 hours.[29] In the same year Ellis produced the 29th Australian Convention of Magicians.[30]

In 2007 Ellis was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.[31]

After the 2007 show Poker in the Face,[32] [33] Ellis presented two shows for the 2008 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Illusionarium with Ellis & Webster[34] and Something About Needles & Razorblades. Later that year he performed The Wizards of Aus[35] at The Melbourne Magic Festival. The 2009 Festival saw his new shows AspyCadabra, and Ellis in Wonderland performed with Sue-Anne Webster. The 2010 Festival saw two new shows Escape From Reality and Illusionarium 2010 and in 2011 they premiered Once Upon A Time... 2012 his solo shows The Mad Hatter's Magical Tea Party and Timeless Magic followed by three new shows in 2013 The Mad Hatter's History of Hattery, As Seen on TV and In Dreams.[36] In 2014 he presented the improvised show Magic vs Music: The Audience Always Wins and 1 Defining Moment as well as Immaculate Deceptions for the Bally On High Festival. At the 2015 Melbourne Magic Festival he presented The Mad Hatter: Return to Wonderland and the poker themed show Full House, as well as producing MagicSports which won the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award for 'Funniest Show'. At the 2016 Festival he presented This Is Magic and an updated version of In Dreams. For 2017 This Is Magic returned and his popular character from Young Talent Time was resurrected in the show Professor Googalfitz Explains it All.[37] In 2018 the Festival moved to the Melba Spiegeltent and Tim teamed with Carisa Hendrix to present the show World of Wizards and also performed The Late Night Magic, Comedy & Something Ellis Hour and Spellbinder at The Laneway Theatre. In 2019 he presented The Mad Hatter's Magical Tea Party[38] and As Seen on TV. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the 2020 Melbourne Magic Festival was cancelled and Tim spent most of the year performing 50 shows via Zoom.[39]

Tim is the artistic director and founder of the Melbourne Magic Festival and president of The Australian Institute of Magic.[40]

He has performed on television programs including Midday, Good Morning Australia, The Daryl Somers Show, Young Talent Time, Hey Hey It's Saturday, Sunrise, and The Today Show. He also appears in Nadia Tass's feature film Matching Jack (2010).[41]

Works

Stage shows

YearShowDatesNotes
1981-84The Magic Club - A Musical Magical1981 to 1984An ensemble cast of teenage magicians performed at various Melbourne theatres
1984Magic Unlimited1984School show toured for the Victorian Arts Council
1987Illusion: The Ultimate FantasyOctoberCaulfield Arts Centre
1987The Wind In The WillowsJan to MarThe Australian Shakespeare Company in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens
1989Spellbinder1989School show toured for the Victorian Arts Council
1989The Greatest Show At The ShowSeptemberWith Peter Gray and Christof at the Royal Melbourne Show
1989Cunning StuntsFour Month SeasonThe Comedy Cafe, Melbourne
1990Pure MagicJan to FebA close up magic show at The Victorian Arts Centre
1991Dreamweaver1991School show toured for the Victorian Arts Council
1993Dreams & IllusionsDecemberPitrone's Cabaret Restaurant, Melbourne
1994Pure Magic1994School show toured for the Victorian Arts Council
1995International Stars of Magic1995Burswood Casino, Perth
1998Dreams & Illusions1998Capers Dinner Theatre, Melbourne
1999-2000Magic Unlimited's Best Show Ever1999 to 2000School Show toured throughout Victoria and Tasmania
2000Cunning StuntsAprilMelbourne International Comedy Festival
2004Magic Concert2004With Eun Gyeol Lee in Seoul, South Korea
2007Poker In The FaceAprilMelbourne International Comedy Festival
2008Something About Needles & RazorbladesAprilMelbourne International Comedy Festival
2008IllusionariumAprilMelbourne International Comedy Festival
2008 The Wizards of AusSep 22 to Oct 4The Melbourne Magic Festival
2008Something About Needles & RazorbladesOctoberThe Melbourne Magic Festival
2009AspycadabraJuly 8 to 11The Melbourne Magic Festival
2009Ellis in WonderlandJune 29 to July 4The Melbourne Magic Festival
2010Two Out Of A HatSeptemberNorthcote Kids Festival
2010Wow Magic On EarthMarchHong Kong
2010Illusionarium 2010June 28 to July 10The Melbourne Magic Festival
2010Escape From RealityJuly 7 to 10The Melbourne Magic Festival
2011Something About Needles & RazorbladesMayIMX, Las Vegas
2011Something About Needles & RazorbladesJulyThe Melbourne Magic Festival
2011Once Upon A TimeJuly 4 to 16The Melbourne Magic Festival
2012Timeless MagicJuly 3 to 11The Melbourne Magic Festival
2012The Mad Hatter's Magical Tea PartyJuly 2 to 15The Melbourne Magic Festival
2013The Mad Hatter's History of HatteryJuly 1 to 6The Melbourne Magic Festival
2013As Seen On TVJuly 8 to 12The Melbourne Magic Festival
2013In DreamsJuly 8 to 13The Melbourne Magic Festival
2014Magic vs MusicJune 30 to July 5The Melbourne Magic Festival
20141 Defining MomentJuly 8 to 11The Melbourne Magic Festival
2014Immaculate DeceptionsNov to DecThe Bally On High Festival
2015Full HouseJuly 7 to 11The Melbourne Magic Festival
2015The Mad Hatter - Return To WonderlandJune 29 to July 3The Melbourne Magic Festival
2016MagicSportsAprilThe Melbourne International Comedy Festival
2016This Is Magic!July 4 to 8The Melbourne Magic Festival
2016In DreamsJuly 5 to 9The Melbourne Magic Festival
2017This Is Magic!July 4 to 8The Melbourne Magic Festival
2017Professor Googalfitz Explains It AllJuly 3 to 7The Melbourne Magic Festival
2017-2018Pure MagicAugust to FebruaryThe Laneway Theatre
2018SpellbinderFeb to AugustThe Laneway Theatre
2018World of WizardsJuly 3 to 6The Melbourne Magic Festival
2018The Late Night Comedy, Magic & Something Ellis HourJuly 10 to 14The Melbourne Magic Festival
2019AspycadabraMarch to DecemberThe Laneway Theatre
2019AstonishmentApril to DecemberThe Laneway Theatre
2019As Seen On TVJuly 2 to 6The Melbourne Magic Festival
2019The Mad Hatter's Magical Tea PartyJuly 8 to 13The Melbourne Magic Festival
2020Out of Nothing. Something.Feb to DecemberThe Laneway Theatre
2021The Laneway Theatre Experience.Feb to DecemberThe Laneway Theatre
2022The Magic Menu. LiveFeb to DecemberThe Laneway Theatre
2022Magicsports vs Theatresports.JulyThe Melbourne Magic Festival
2023Dreamers.Feb to DecemberThe Laneway Theatre
2023The Mad Hatter's Magical Tea Party.JulyThe Melbourne Magic Festival
2024The Magic Box.Feb to DecemberThe Laneway Theatre
2024These Are A Few Of My Favourite TricksJulyThe Melbourne Magic Festival
2024Timeless MagicJulyThe Noosa Alive Festival

Published works

YearFormatTitleNotes
1989-98Monthly National MagazineAustralian Magic MonthlyEditor and publisher
1992Monthly Club MagazineThe Magic CircularEditor
1992Lecture NotesThe Secret Diary of Tim Ellis
1993Teaching VideoCunning Stunts
1993-95Teaching Videos - 18 VolumesBernard's Teaching Video SeriesProducer
2000Monthly National MagazineAMM 2000Editor and Publisher
2000Lecture NotesEllis in Wonderland
2001Lecture Notes24 Years of Living Next Door To Ellis
2001Lecture NotesRunaround Sue
2002Paperback BookThe Two Of UsProfiled in one chapter
2004Teaching DVDEllis in Wonderland
2004Teaching DVD24 Years of Living Next Door to Ellis
2004Teaching DVDRunaround Sue
2004Paperback BookEun Gyeol Lee's Book of Magic (First Ever Korean Language Magic Book)Contributor
2005TrickThe Tim Card Poker Deal[42]
2006Teaching DVDEllis & Webster's Cunning StuntsBar bets and easy magic for the public
2006Performance DVDEllis & Webster's Most Amazing Magic Volume 1
2006Performance DVDEllis & Webster's Most Amazing Magic Volume 2
2006Hardcover BookDictionnaire de la prestidigitation by Jean de Merry & André CioccaProfiled in one chapter
2007Paperback BookDeception Downunder by Brian McCullaghProfiled in one chapter
2010Paperback BookMagic's Most Amazing Stories by Ivan AmodeiContributor
2011Hardcover BookTimeless Magic
2012Paperback BookBamboozlers Volume 3 by Diamond Jim TylerContributor
2014Paperback BookWho Is Magic Babe Ning by Ning CaiContributor
2015Hardcover BookThe Bammo Ten Card Deal Dossier by Bob FarmerContributor
2016Hardcover BookLocked by Jim KleefeldContributor
2018TrickiDrop by Tim EllisReleased by Vanishing Inc.

Awards and honours

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tim Ellis (VI) . IMDb.
  2. News: Radio interview with Denis Walter on 3AW . Radio 3AW . Fairfax Media . 3 June 2009. 7 December 2009. Walter. Denis .
  3. News: A 'Magical' Life: Behind the Curtain with Illusionists Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster . Sight Magazine. Ocean Grove Baptist Church . 25 May 2008. 7 December 2009. Adams. Dave .
  4. Book: DeMerry, Jean . 2006 . Dictionnaire de la Prestidigitation . Paris . Editions Georges Proust . 2-913505-22-8.
  5. Unwin . Mat . September 2007 . Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster in their words . Las Vegas . Magic Magazine . 46–51 . Stan Allen .
  6. Book: McCullagh, Brian . 2007 . Deception Downunder: A Look at Magic in Australia . Melbourne, Australia . The Australian Society of Magicians p. 46. "He attended his first magic convention in 1978 (at fifteen years of age) and two years later won the Teenage Magic Competition at the National Convention.".
  7. Book: McCullagh, Brian . 2007 . Deception Downunder: A Look at Magic in Australia . Melbourne, Australia . The Australian Society of Magicians p.48. "Another extremely valuable contribution to Australian Magic that can be attributed to Tim is "Magic Week", which was founded in 1986, went national in 1991 and ended in 1994.".
  8. News: It’s Magic You Know . Broadsheet. Nick Shelton . 25 May 2008. 3 October 2017. Boyle. Patrick “In 1989, Ellis made national headlines when he locked himself in a crate, sealed it with chains, and was dropped into the Yarra River.” .
  9. Book: McCullagh, Brian . 2007 . Deception Downunder: A Look at Magic in Australia . Melbourne, Australia . The Australian Society of Magicians p. 46. "From October 1989 to January 1998 Tim edited, published and sold 'Australian Magic Monthly', which was just that.".
  10. Book: Deutch, Richard. 1993. The Australian Magician's Handbook . Sydney, Australia . Hodder and Stoughton p. 292. "Ellis is also the editor of 'The Australian Magic Monthly', a very professional publication." . 0-340-58456-4.
  11. Book: McCullagh, Brian . 2007 . Deception Downunder: A Look at Magic in Australia . Melbourne, Australia . The Australian Society of Magicians p. 46. "This resulted in his regular Genii column "Dateline Downunder",".
  12. News: Magic + Theater . Fun Inc. . Fun Inc. . 6 June 2008 . 7 December 2009 . Sturk. John .
  13. Fitt . Tom . December 1992 . Magic Magazine . 28–30 . Magicsports . Las Vegas . Stan Allen .
  14. MagicSports: Rules . Tim Ellis . Magic Unlimited. . 1991 . 7 December 2009 . Ellis. Tim.
  15. Book: DeMerry, Jean . 2006 . Dictionnaire de la Prestidigitation . Paris . Editions Georges Proust . 2-913505-22-8.
  16. Book: Deutch, Richard. 1993. The Australian Magician's Handbook . Sydney, Australia . Hodder and Stoughton p. 292. "Ellis, Tim. Internationally known magician/illusionist, owner of Bernard's Magic Shop." . 0-340-58456-4.
  17. News: FISM Magic World Championship Results 1991–1997 . Championship Results . The Official FISM Website . 7 December 2009 .
  18. News: Who's Who Among Magicians . Magic Biography and Magicians . MagicBiography.com . 12 November 2009. 7 December 2009. Johnson. Michael E .
  19. Book: DeMerry, Jean . 2006 . Dictionnaire de la Prestidigitation . Paris . Editions Georges Proust . 2-913505-22-8.
  20. Book: Linnell, Garry . 2002. The Two of Us . Melbourne, Australia . Penguin Books "The Melbourne-based couple married in 1998 and now perform together around the world, as well as making appearances on the corporate dinner circuit." . 0-14-300069-1 .
  21. News: Who's Who in Magic . E Book . Lybrary.com . 2009. 7 December 2009. Whaley . Barton .
  22. News: Lou Gallo MVP Award Winners . Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic . FFFF . 7 December 2009. O'Brien. Obie .
  23. News: MNW No. 128 Tim Ellis . Podcast Interview . The Magic Newswire. The original magic news and information portal on the internet Est 1994 . 9 August 2009. 7 December 2009. Vickers. Dodd .
  24. News: 24 Years of Living Next Door To Ellis . DVD Review . About.com Magic and Illusion . 9 August 2009. 7 December 2009. Kawamoto. Wayne .
  25. News: Ellis in Wonderland . DVD Review . Inside Magic . 25 September 2004. 7 December 2009. Quinlan. Tim .
  26. News: Runaround Sue . DVD Review . Online Visions . 25 September 2004. 7 December 2009. Shane .
  27. News: Magicians Conjure Record Attempt . The Age . Fairfax Digital Media . 5 April 2004. 7 December 2009.
  28. News: Longest Magic Show Honor Belongs in Melbourne . Inside Magic: Magic News Updated Daily For The Professional Magician . Inside Magic . 28 March 2005. 7 December 2009. Quinlan. Tim .
  29. News: Casting A Magic Spell . https://web.archive.org/web/20080309191330/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2007/05/19/stories/2007051950030100.htm . usurped . 9 March 2008 . Hindu on the Net . The Hindu . 19 May 2007. 7 December 2009. Kavitha. S S .
  30. News: Conventioneering . 'Magic Makers' The Official Newsletter of The Australian Society of Magicians pp 8–10 . The Australian Society of Magicians . August 2004. 7 December 2009. Morton. Nick .
  31. Unwin . Mat . September 2007 . Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster in their words . Las Vegas . Magic Magazine . 46–51 . Stan Allen .
  32. News: Poker in the Face . Arts Review . . 17 April 2007. 7 December 2009. Razer. Helen .
  33. News: Poker in the Face . Readers Reviews . . 12 April 2007. 7 December 2009. Johnson. Nicholas .
  34. News: Illusionarium! starring Ellis and Webster . Theatre Review . The Groggy Squirrel . 26 March 2008 . 7 December 2009 . Crowley . Caitlin . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110301125127/http://www.thegroggysquirrel.com/articles/2008/03/20/2008-melbourne-comedy-festival-reviews/illusionarium-starring-ellis-and-webster/ . 1 March 2011 . dmy-all .
  35. News: The Wizards of Aus. Theatre Review. The Groggy Squirrel. 23 September 2008. 7 December 2009. Davidson. Erin. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081121151315/http://thegroggysquirrel.com/articles/2008/09/22/2008-melbourne-magic-festival-reviews/the-wizards-of-oz/. 21 November 2008. dmy-all.
  36. News: Melbourne Magic Festival disappears from Northcote after thrilling thousands . Theatre Review. Northcote Leader . 16 July 2014. 7 December 2009. Irwin. Julia "Although there were many highlights, arguably the most affecting came from local Northcote magician, festival founder and artistic director Tim Ellis, with 1 Defining Moment. Ellis masterfully conjured both humour and pathos in a largely autobiographical series of defining moments leading up to the ultimate revelation. Set to a poignant soundtrack, the audience was quickly moved from tears to laughter and back again. A truly magical performance.".
  37. News: Professor Googalfitz Explains It All at The Melbourne Magic Festival . Blog. Weekend Notes . 4 June 2017. 13 January 2021. Thorogood. Helen.
  38. News: MMF 2019 Review:The Mad Hatter's Magical Tea Party. Blog. Tay About Town . 8 July 2019. 13 January 2021. Artomonow. Tay.
  39. News: Magicians Have Something Up Their Sleeves For Virus Lockdown . Newspaper . The Age . 25 June 2020. 13 January 2021. Woodhead. Cameron.
  40. News: Australian Institute of Magic Officers . 16 July 2022 .
  41. Web site: Tim Ellis (VI) . . 7 December 2009.
  42. News: Magic Review . The Tim Card Poker Deal by Tim Ellis . About.com Magic and Illusion . 7 December 2009. Kawamoto. Wayne .
  43. News: Magicians attempt record for world's longest magic show in Melbourne . Age Newspaper. Nine Entertainment . 8 June 2016 . Brown. Simon Leo .
  44. News: 2015 Melbourne Magic Festival Award Winners . Melbourne Magic Festival. Australian Institute of Magic . 2015 .
  45. News: Magicians Conjure Record Attempt . Age Newspaper. Nine Entertainment . 5 April 2004 .
  46. News: Lou Gallo MVP Award Winners . Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic . FFFF. O'Brien. Obie .
  47. News: FISM Magic World Championship Results 1991–1997 . Championship Results . The Official FISM Website .
  48. News: FISM Magic World Championship Results 1991–1997 . Championship Results . The Official FISM Website .