News

Marc Makes Magic in Saudi

Hambledon Magician Marc Dominic made history last week when he was the first western magician to perform in Saudi Arabia, appearing in the first ever national outdoor roadshow, to the general public for a Saudi Company.

Marc entertained between 5,000 – 9,000 Saudi Arabians each night as part of Mobaliy’s ( a mobile phone company) national Falah promotion. The events were aimed at 16 – 27 year olds but as this sort of event has never been seen before in Saudi, many others turned up.

The shows were restricted in content due to the Islamic Laws in Saudi Arabia and Marc’s show had to be vetted by the Saudi Religious Police and was altered accordingly so that both his stage and close up acts could be performed without music.

Marc says “ It was a strange experience as the Saudi men in general haven’t experienced magic and the simplest of things astound them.” However it wasn’t all plain sailing for Marc, as magic is often seen as evil by some of the Bedouin tribes and on live TV one spectator was heard to cry out..” this is not a man this is a devil!” At times, due to crowd numbers. Marc had to be flanked by 6 armed guards, trying to maintain order as people clambered to see his magic.

Marc was part of a team of 8 entertainers including world record holders, fire acts, stilt walkers and jugglers. Marc said “ It was a great atmosphere and nice to be able to meet real people and perform for them in the real Saudi Arabia and not in some company’s compound.”

With various events in cities like Riyadh, Jeddah and Demam it wasn’t all plain sailing as each city had its own rules. In Demam, delayed baggage, meant all the acts had to put together new shows when no props arrived . Armed with only a pack of cards and his magic skills Marc had to create a number of stage acts and close up effects from nothing. “ It was difficult as Saudi Arabia is not known for its magic shops!!” Marc said.

The venue and the temperatures also caused some unique problems. In some of he venues the humidity was so high Marc’s cards would end up warping after only 2 hours of use! As well as trying not to de-hydrate whilst performing!. “ It was both a very physically and mentally demanding job, I think I lost about 6lbs a week in weight!”

Marc Gets Ugly!

Marc Dominic gets to try something new this Christmas after 3 years playing Pantomime Dame Marc is becoming Ugly – well an Ugly Sister at least.

He starts rehearsals on 23rd November for his 7th Pantomime with Mark Andrews Productions. He is to play “Posh” one of the Ugly sisters in Cinderella, at the Civic Centre in Middleton Manchester. The show opens for a on 29th November and runs till 14th Dec playing 2 shows a day.

Marc said “Sometimes it’s nice to do something different and develop other performing skills outside magic. In Panto you develop you improvisational skills as well as your ability to draw your audience out.” He added “it’s great because we play to 80% capacity which is over 700 people a day, many have come back from pervious years.”

It is Marc’s first time as Ugly sister though he has played Pantomime Dames for several years including Widow Twanky in Aladdin, and Dame Trot in Jack & The Beanstalk. After he finishes in Manchester he is acting as Magical Advisor on two other Mark Andrews Productions, Aladdin in Hunstanton and Jack and The Beanstalk in Leamington Spa.

In a break between dress fitting Marc said “It’s nice to keep traditions alive in that Variety acts have often done pantomime, it is still going strong unlike the summer season.”

One day as he gets older Marc hopes to emulate many great Magicians like Masoni and play a truly Magical and Wicked Abanarza in Aladdin. For more details of show times and dates contact The Civic Center, Rochadale.

Making Magic

Ever wondered where magicians learn magic? Well, Impact Productions have the answer. They as part of an ongoing training programme sent 6 magicians to take part in an Exclusive Master Class with Paul Daniels. This training focused on how to get more comedy into your magic. Photo: Liz Wilcox, Paul Daniels, Steve Evans, Marc Dominic and Russ Stokes.

This day is currently the third that Impact have organised this year - already they have had development sessions with David Acer - An Canadian Muti Award winning Comic and Magician, David Kaye - New York's most popular children's entertainer whose client list includes Sting and Madonna as well as technical lessons with Daryl - The world's greatest close-up magician.

Paul Daniels said of the course he ran "Only the most dedicated of performers come to these classes and they walk away knowing they are the best of the
best."

Marc Dominic, Managing Director of Impact Productions and himself a multi-award winning magician said, "no matter what our performers do whether it is close-up magic, trade shows or children's birthday parties our commitment to ensuring they are the best in the country is reflected in the support we give, with courses like these, as part of our on-going development programme."

Impact who specialise in the provision of Magicians and mix and mingle entertainers for corporate and family functions have in-house training on psychology of misdirection and some new children's shows lined up over the next few months.

Presss Release: 28th November 2003

Marc Dominic has sold his entertainment business Impact Productions for an undisclosed sum. Impact Productions has been bought by a couple members of the management team.

The reason for the sale has coincided with a number of events in Marc’s life. The first is a relocation to Havant due to his wife changing jobs. The second is that at 35 he is retiring from working as a Ronald McDonald for McDonalds Restaurants Limited. After 15 years Marc has decided to focus on his corporate close-up work and develop his many children’s shows.

Marc said "It is a big step but having performed throughout Europe, at 10 Downing Street, The Albert Hall and other major events I want to give a bit more time to my family. I have enjoyed my time with McDonalds and hope to develop other areas of work."

Marc will continue to work both independently and alongside the new company.

Impact Productions, Marcs former company, will carry on trading and booking entertainers throughout the Midlands and Marc will be acting as a consultant for several months, they can still be contacted on 0800 783 6348.

Marc hopes the move will see him performing more in the capital and along the south coast.

For more information on Impact Productions and there services please call Marc Dominic on 0121 447 7411.