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Tim and Sue-Anne travel the world with their lectures 'Ellis in Wonderland' and '24 Years of Living Next Door to Ellis', as well as an Intensive Creativity Workshop based on Tim's FISM award-winning act 'Runaround Sue' and combining elements of 'MagicSports'. The workshop is a more interactive "hands on" version of the second half of the '24 Years' lecture. ELLIS IN WONDERLAND This 3 hour lecture has been acclaimed as one of the best magic lectures ever created and has been performed all across the USA and throughout Europe. Some say it's far too entertaining to be a lecture, and way to informative to be a show! The lecture has been designed to entertain, educate and inspire.  | The lecture features tricks for close up magicians like 'Credit Card Fax', 'Deckstress', 'Deck Vanish', 'Jazz Cards', 'Cash to Credit Card'. Stage effects including 'Ultimate Blades', '7 Keys to Paradise', 'Bill to Anything', 'Shakespeare's Monte', and Mentalism effects including 'Deathslates' and 'Cellular Thinking'. You'll also learn tips on approaching people for strolling magic, thumbtip handling tips, and get great ideas for Fantasio Candles. PLUS you'll see performances of 'Runaround Sue' and 'The Six Card Rap'. The lecture notes contain essays on 'Close Up Magic', 'Floorshows', 'MagicSports', and humorous articles like 'What if magicians were like...' and 'A Magical Glossary'. The notes are 36 pages long, illustrated by Sue-Anne Webster. A DVD is also available with even more bonus features. |
“Your lecture notes were among the BEST I've ever read. The selection of tricks, advice (not to mention the humor - I laughed out loud MANY times) and the clear manner in which it was written made it one of my all time favorites. I'll be using many of the ideas!" - Jeff Hobson.
REVIEWS OF THE '24 YEARS' LECTURE LAS VEGAS - DARWIN'S MAGIC CLUB "Tim Ellis and Sue Anne Webster entertained Darwin's Magic Club this past Wednesday night. It was a packed house and nobody left during intermission which was near midnight. Maybe that is all that needs to be said for a review. What other clubs and other internet sites have said is true: this lecture is really worth your time. In effect, they crammed the essence of two lectures into the allotted time. They addressed all branches of magic except grand illusion. Their passion (that's the only word I can think of) for the subject matter was obvious. They addressed problems that walk around magicians in corporate settings must contend with. Their solutions were "real world". One clever, no risk idea to break the ice was explained. They performed and explained their stage cups and ball routine which has to become a classic. Even though I have enough cups and balls routines under my belt, I had to have their detailed version explained in their notes. It can be seen from the back of a hall and the final loads are strong. Both got by me. You do need a suitcase style table to perform it. If you already use one, you should study this routine. Even if you don't use the whole thing, you can integrate their ideas for final loads into your own routine. Most of you know that their Six Card Repeat performance is extremely strong. I saw why Wednesday: two rappers doin' their thing. Very funny and a fitting end to an extremely informative lecture which contains something for everyone. Both performers alternate talking to the lecture audience. And it is obviously choreographed. Nobody is winging it. The result is the listener does not get tired or bored. And the amount of material, which I have just scratched, is clearly and concisely explained. There is nothing really difficult taught. The only difficult part may be in deciding which effects one wishes to attack first. The two standing ovations Sue Anne and Tim got from my fellow vagrants were well deserved. If your ring or group has not booked this duo to lecture, now might be the time while they are in the States." - Gary Norsigian, Las Vegas, 2003 FLORIDA - TAMPA BAY MAGIC CLUB "The Tampa Bay Magic Club had the good fortune to have Tim Ellis and his lovely wife Sue-Anne for a 3-hour lecture in Clearwater, Florida, last night. Three hours wasn't long enough. Most of us would have stayed for another three hours if the time had been available. This was without a doubt the best lecture I have seen in this century, and I would put it in the top 10 lectures I have seen in the last 40 years. With Sue-Anne standing in full view for most of the lecture it takes some darn good magic to draw the attention away from her (at least for male section of the audience). But Tim is up to the task and he does keep the attention on the magic. He opened with Ultimate Blades, his version of razor blade eating, and fooled everyone with it. One at a time, each razor blade is used to cut a piece of paper (really) and then put directly into his mouth. After eating 5 blades he swallows a couple feet of dental floss and brings the blades out threaded. Not only is this method a fooler, Tim provides the presentation to make it entertaining magic (as he does with every effect in the lecture). He showed and explained a couple of great ideas on approaching people when doing walk around and getting your name and phone number in the spectators hands without actually handing them a business card. Deckstress is a card trick that many of us agreed was worth the price of the lecture. This simple to do card trick is very versatile and with Tim's presentation ideas it will find its way into the 'A' list of a lot of people. With Deckstress, and several other effects, Tim gives some variations that turn it into a completely different looking effect. Without going into a lot of detail, the rest of the lecture included Tim's method for changing a bill (or bills) into a credit card and vice versa, his original idea for bill to lemon (or anything else), another great but simple to do card effect, tips on vanishing and appearing candles, tips on thumbtips, a great method for 7 Keys to Baldplate, tips on working corporate and other shows, tips on developing creativity in magic. This lecture definitely has something for everyone. The highlight of the night was Tim's FISM award winning cups and ball routine. This is probably the most original routine I've ever seen and certainly one of the most entertaining. It's one of the few routines that has a theme other than the magician showing that he can make the balls jump around and a final load that fits the theme perfectly. Running a close second in the highlight race was Tim and Sue-Anne doing 6 card repeat- with jumbo cards while Tim and a rap song. Just one of many examples of their ability to make an old trick new and make it entertaining. Sue-Anne was more than just a distraction to Tim's magic. She is an integral part of the lecture. She also talked about women in magic, why women magicians can't just do the same things men do, and what they should do instead. She's spent a lot of time thinking about this subject and her advice should be welcomed not only by women magicians, but by men that can learn from the differences. My one big regret of the night is that we didn't have another hour for Sue-Anne to perform more of her magic. The lecture notes are very well done and give plenty of details to help you recreate things when you read them a few months later. Included when you buy the lecture notes are two samples of the ideas mentioned above to get your name and phone number into the hands of spectators, and a CD of their new promo video. Do I really have to say that I highly recommend seeing them? Whether it's their lecture or just a performance, you'll get more than your money's worth." - Bob Klase, Tampa Bay, 2001 CHICAGO - MIDWEST MAGIC Like most of us, I have attended a wide range of lectures. At some I get amazed at the talent of the lecturer(s), but frankly, would never do anything shown because of the technical difficulty, style, prep time, expense or whatever. Others have one or two bits I use, and consider the time well spent. Others make me dig around in my boxes of old, tired, worn out husks of tricks, dust them off, and give them a new shot. Tim and Sue-Anne, however, have put together a lecture that is, frankly, one of the 6 or 7 best lectures I have ever attended. Right up there in that group you have to rate individually, because each is special in it's own way. If you have a chance to see these fine performers, please do so. If your "real job" boss says you have to work that night, list your resume on Monster.com and go anyway. If your spouse helps you in your performance, buy an extra ticket and drag her kicking and screaming to the lecture. She will come away with a new appreciation of what teamwork, presentation skills, and innovation can bring to a "magic show." Tim and Sue-Anne are an engaging duo who are truly 'working magicians'. They do trade shows, school magic, parties, etc. and with Tim's background in magic and Sue-Anne's training in theatre they craft an amazing production - a lecture that comes across as a magic performance. You see the true inside work, but not just the nuts and bolts, thoughts on creativity, application, and even how the same tired routines can be given a fresh look and an exciting new patina. Tim shares practical stuff that you KNOW works, because it works on YOU. Watching his version of the Six Card Repeat done to rap music is an event in itself, and we should charge an extra price to see it. His FISM award winning cups and balls routine, Runaround Sue, is an amazing piece of work. While these two events are not broken down in the lecture, there are some exciting surprises available for lecture attendees regarding one of these eye-popping routines. I won't spoil it here. What you WILL see broken down is a 'workers' paradise of material. Things you will definitely use - all the way from tips on business cards, introducing yourself at a walkaround gig without fear of rejection or intimidation (Hey! Tell me how great THAT would be!); to stage and close up work on the Razorblade trick that had our eyes bulging. Card tricks, sure! Again, some things you can put to use right away - no fans or flourishes, sorry, but again solid magic that your audiences will remember, and ask for. I'm going to dig around today for that forcing deck I haven't used for a while and turn it into a goldmine! Oh yes, and one bit I am not even going to mention, but you're going to want to get it fast, before the world ruins it. It's something Sue-Anne does in a mini-lecture after the lecture, for a select group, and you'll DIE when you see it performed. Even the production values in the lecture notes are a lesson in professionalism. This is one you won't want to miss! I'm heading to www.MagicUnlimited.com for a look now to see what else I can learn. Have I left the impression that I was pleased? Good! - Claude Van Horn, 2002 BIRMINGHAM - BRITISH RING The lecture was very professionally put together, fast paced, and entertaining. Tim started the evening with his version of the 'Razor Blade Swallowing', a trick that can leave a nasty taste in your mouth (normally of steel and blood) but Tim had made this trick virtually safe. It should be said at this point that although Tim performed most of the magic, Sue-Anne was a big part of the act as she was constantly introducing, commentating and role-playing throughout the evening. Next a great card trick that was one of Tim's favourites and most requested. Titled 'Deckstress' this is a great effect where the magician tells the audience that he will try and force a card and the assistant must not let him. A card is freely selected and removed from the pack. The rest of the pack can be shown to be perfectly normal where as the selected card has written on the back the words "I knew you would name the…." A clever trick. We then saw a near miracle when a can of coke was opened by the ring pull and emptied of it's contents and then the can was crumpled. The magic began to work as Tim explained that he would reverse time and as he said that, the can slowly and visibly uncrumpled and looked like nothing had ever happened and not only was the can undamaged but the ring pull was now back in it's place sealing the can. Once again Tim pulled the ring pull and emptied the now full can. This trick was the only one not explained in the lecture, but detailed notes explaining the method were on sale. If you bought these you were given a tutorial by Sue-Anne on exactly how it worked after the lecture. To finish the first half we saw Tim's FISM award-winning routine using cups and balls and, as with everything Tim performed, it was original and clever. Using stainless steel milkshake cups a very clever routine was given with a surprise finish as one of the cups was shown to be full of milkshake. In the second half we were shown again an original take on the Linking Rings and this performed to music in a very futuristic and hi tech theme. Then Tim threw out a challenge that someone would pick a feely chosen piece of music from some CDs brought in by Jimmy Carlo and, to that music that he was hearing for the very first time, he would perform the rings and it worked very well. A nice vanish of a deck of unboxed cards was shown using the topit and, although difficult, Tim showed us how to make it easier. The lecture finished with yet another FISM award winning routine, this time with the Six Card Repeat. Put to music Tim dressed as a young American youth rapped his way through the routine. Tim is the only Australian magic act to win FISM twice and along with his wife the two make a great magical pair. Comments at the bar: Original, "wasn't she gorgeous", entertaining, "wasn't she gorgeous", clever, and "wasn't she gorgeous" were just some of the comments made after what really was an excellent evening. - Andy Kirk, 2002 FOR MORE REVIEWS CLICK HERE
24 YEARS OF LIVING NEXT DOOR TO ELLIS This 3 hour lecture is like two lectures for the price of one! The first half sees Sue-Anne playing Elly-May Drudge, Tim's nosy next door neighbour who explains all of his secrets in hilariously original ways. The second half uses Tim's FISM award winning routine 'Runaround Sue' as a way to understand the creative process as we learn not only how it works, but why. We also demonstrate 'MagicSports' and encourage others to use it to release their hidden originality. This is the lecture that saw Tim and Sue-Anne nominated '2005 Lecturers of the Year' at The Magic Castle, Hollywood.  | The lecture features tricks for close up magicians like 'Coins Across', 'Barehand Coin Vanish', 'Hi Tek Deck', 'Big Deal'. Stage effects including 'Kruger Kard Trick, '7D, 'Divide & Conquer', and Mentalism effects including 'Spiral Bound'. You'll also learn how to become creative through performances of 'Runaround Sue' and 'MagicSports'. PLUS in an extra private workshop for lecture note owners, you'll learn Ellis & Webster's 'Soda Resurrection', their work on Anders Moden's 'Healed & Sealed'. The lecture notes contain essays on 'Women In Magic', 'Riders', 'MagicSports', and humorous articles as well. The notes are 24 pages long, illustrated by Sue-Anne Webster. A DVD is also available with even more bonus features. |
. “Good solid magic and practical advice!" - Tom Ogden
REVIEWS OF THE 'ELLIS IN WONDERLAND' LECTURE OHIO - BATTLE OF THE MAGICIANS "Tim and Sue-Anne's lecture was a professional production on its own. Each trick was thoroughly explained, but in such an entertaining manner that I kept forgetting that it was a lecture, and not the big Headliner's show (I have to get the DVD!). Their spot on the headliner's show was even better (if that is possible)." - Annie Williams, 2005 NEW YORK - TANNENS MAGIC SHOP "I attended your lecture last night at Tannens. LOVED IT! I want to reiterate how much I enjoyed your lecture. I attend as many lectures as possible, having gotten into magic late in life (four years ago - I'm 41). I have sat with some of the great minds in contemporary magic such as Eugene Burger, Jeff McBride, Aldo Colombini, etc. I have never enjoyed a lecture as much as I did last night. Not just the magic, but the energy you brought was phenomenal. I read your bios this morning on the subway going to work. Tim, yours was interesting. But Sue-Anne's is just amazing! What a fascinating history. If you will be lecturing anywhere else in the area, please let me know, as I will send everyone in magic I know to attend. "Again, thanks for a phenomenal lecture." - Jeff Liebowitz, 2005 FECHTER'S FINGER FLICKING FROLIC "It was a real treat to watch your lecture at FFFF ... easily one of the best and most creative presentations for a lecture that I ever saw... hats off to you both for striving to push the envelope ..." - Danny Archer, 2005 PENNSYLVANIA - HERSHEY'S MAGIC SHOP "On Monday I viewed your show and lecture at the Hershey Magic shop in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I'm the one guy going into the USO touring program. I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed your lecture and received more from it than any other lecture I've seen this year. Not too many performers combine both theatre, character development skills, and magic into a lecture- you both did all three wonderfully. I do believe I will add Spiral Bound to my stage show in the near future. I really liked your suggestion on having the numbers add up to your phone number, and having them call it from another spectators cell phone. I just purchased 'phone' speakers which can plug into the cell phone and project the dial ring and message very loud and clearly. I think it will be fun to try out- and already seems like it will be a great piece of magic. All of the items in the lecture could be used for so many more pieces of magic! Just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed it:) Also, Sue-Anne's notes on School tours really is a gem; I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Thanks again! Keep in touch, - Matt Tomasko, 2005 FOR MORE REVIEWS CLICK HERE
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