Alan Shaxon
Alan Shaxon (28 December 1933 - 27 October 2012) was a professional magician and a former president of The Magic Circle. He specialised in cabaret performances and was billed as one of England's foremost magicians.[1]
The Magic Circle gave Shaxon its highest award, "The Maskelyne", for services to British Magic. His television appearances have been seen by millions and he cruised the world in cabaret on the finest luxury liners, and entertained on four occasions at Buckingham Palace. He was a friend and confidant of magic legend and inventor Robert Harbin and inherited many props of Harbin's after his death in 1978. Alan continued to perform a number of Harbin's illusions including the "Blades of Opah II". Shaxon's signature effects included The Hydrdostatic Glass, Confabulation, Thumb Tie, Aerial Fishing and the Human Gasometer.
Shaxon taught Tom Cruise the sleight of hand for "Mission Impossible", and appeared as the character "Eddie Spangle" alongside in Rowan Atkinson in an episode of "Mr. Bean".
He wrote two books during his lifetime, My Kind of Magic (1970) and Practical Sorcery (1976). After he died a draft manuscript for a third book was discovered and this was completed by Scott Penrose and Steve Short. It had no working title but when it was published in 2014 it was entitled The Sophisticated Sorcerer.
Alan died on the 27th October 2012 following a short illness.[1]
