Uncategorized Archives - Paul Kieve

Groundhog Day wins Best New Musical Olivier Award

houdin — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 14:32:11 +0000

Groundhog Day, the new Tim Minchin musical with illusion effects by Paul Kieve, has triumphed at the London Olivier Awards as Best New Musical. The show continues performances at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway, New York.

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Catherine Tate Live

houdin — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 13:47:28 +0000

Paul was honoured to co-devise a brand new sketch with genius comedian Catherine Tate for her sold out live tour.

The sketch was the first revival of character ‘Lauren’ in 9 years who decides to have a bash at knife throwing during a school outing to a circus museum. The show toured the UK during November and December 2016.

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Kate Bush collaborates with Paul Kieve on live show ‘Before The Dawn’

houdin — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 21:33:19 +0000

Kate Bush released her fourth album The Dreaming, in 1982, and it featured a track called Houdini. The cover depicted Kate as Bess Houdini, secretly passing Harry a key during a kiss. A 14 year old Paul Kieve, already a fervent fan of Ms Bush, attended a signing session in London, and took the chance to give Kate a book on Houdini.

Some 32 years later, Paul received a surprise call from Kate to invite him to work on her first live show in 35 years. In their first creative meeting, Kate brought the book along – she had always kept it.

The contents of the live show which blends puppetry, spectacle and illusion, openedto rave reviews. Kate Bush has used magic in her previous concerts, working with Simon Drake on her legendary 1979 ‘tour of life’. Her 22 shows at London’s Hammersmith Odeon sold out 77,000 tickets in just 15 minutes.

The Independent described ‘Before The Dawn’ as “undoubtedly the most ambitious, and genuinely moving, piece of theatrical pop ever seen on a British stage”

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Ruddigore (Opera North) UK Tour

twodayservice — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:58:00 +0000

Opera North’s acclaimed production of Ruddigore, by Gilbert and Sullivan, is currently touring the UK, and coming to The Barbican Centre in November. Paul was called in to assist on one of the most famous Ghost scenes of all, when the framed portraits of generations of Murgatroyd family come to life.. Conducted by the highly talented and dapper conductor John Wilson.

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Paul lectures to leading magic historians at Hackney Empire

twodayservice — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:22:34 +0000

Paul has a long association with the beautiful Hackney Empire Theatre, appearing there in his ‘Zodiac Brothers’ act shortly after it re-opened in 1987. In September 2011 he presented a lecture about the magicians who had appeared at the theatre to a group of the world’s leading magic historians including John Gaughan, Mike Caveney and Bill Kalush. The lecture covered performers from the theatre’s first performances in 1901 right through to the present day. From Houdini, Chung Ling Soo, David Berglas up to Simon Drake’s Secret Cabaret and beyond. Afterwards he took the distinguished group on a guided tour around the amazing building. Paul’s 1997 book ‘Hocus Pocus’ is set largely around the theatre.

Paul Kieve shows a group of magic enthusiasts around the Hackney Empire (photo by Reiner Walter)

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