Written by the Winner of The Magic Circle Comedy Award 2008/09
Published Reviews
"There is a massive amount of accurate, interesting and totally relevant information in this book. Ian's writing style is easy to read, intelligent and coherent. The subject matter is covered exhaustively and humorously. If this doesn't become the standard stand-up magicians' bible, I will be very surprised." Mark Leveridge, Magicseen
"Ian concentrates on the comedic magician, and the advice he gives is invaluable. I highly recommend it." Matt Field, The Magic Circular
"Possibly the best book ever to be written on modern Stand-up Comedy Magic. I wish I’d had it 20 years ago." John Archer from magicweek.co.uk / reviews
"Don’t confuse this with those ‘how to earn a million dollars a year’ books. This is a practical book from a professional magician working today’s market." David Britland from cardopolis blog
"This book cannot be too highly recommended. If you are in earnest about using comedy whether professionally or othewise, you ought to read it!" Walt Less, Abra
"A well-written book with lots of sound advice." John Lovick, MAGIC
A Few (unsolicited!) Comments from Purchasers
"I absolutely LOVED your stand up book. It's the first book of its kind I have read where I actually believed the author had real life experience in the subject he was writing about. I genuinely think this book should be considered a modern classic. Congratulations." Derren Little, Writer of British TV sit-com hit, Benidorm
"Beautifully produced, unputdownable and full of practical hints tips and information all delivered so concisely. Written in a way - beautiful - open - honest - sincere, that only a man so comfortable within himself and his performances can write. Yours is a book which will sit proudly on my shelf alongside Geoff Durham's, Michael Bailey and a couple of other select volumes for years and years to come." Brendan Byrne
"In my opinion it is simply superb. It certainly should be up there alongside the existing classics in performance books." Paul McCrory
"I had expected it to have an intelligent, useful stimulating analysis of stand up. What I had not anticipated was just how well it reads. The writing style is brilliant." David Owen
"A terrific treatment of a difficult subject." Roberto Giobbi
"A book bursting with tested ideas for the stand-up magician who wants to add comedy to their act. Do I like it - I love it!" Graham Reed
"I have had nothing but raves from my clients who purchased your book." Denny Magic Studio
"Thank you for the book: with winter fast approaching, it came just at the right time - and I am warming myself by the flames as we speak." John van der Put
About the Book
- Ever wanted to make that leap from entertaining a few people to several hundred?
- Ever wanted to make your audience laugh so much that they remember you as much for your comedy as your magic?
- Ever wanted to earn your living as a stand-up?
Stand-up, A Professional Guide to Comedy Magic explains all the techniques required to achieve these goals. It is a step by step manual on how to combine comedy with magic, from writing original lines through to developing your stage persona to maximising the benefits of audience participation.
But this book is no theoretical treatise; it is based on ‘real world’ experience, supported by numerous contributions from today’s top stand-ups.
Pre-publication Praise for the book
“This book takes all the guessing out of how to become a complete comedy magician. I am pleased and proud to be included with all these great comic performers!”
Michael Finney (top US stand-up)
“Invaluable reading for anyone with an interest in becoming a better comedy performer - or a better performer of any kind for that matter.”
Andrew O’Connor (top TV producer)
“The advice in your book is excellent, anybody aspiring to be a stand-up magician will gain a huge amount from it.”
Noel Britten (top UK stand-up)
“In stand-up you are either going well or struggling, there isn’t much grey area. Ian’s book stormed it!”
Pete Firman (top UK stand-up)
“You were really funny and I laughed my face off.”
Levent (top US stand-up)
