Tim Ellis
Born
Melbourne
Occupation(s)Magician, illusionist, publisher, producer
Websitewww.timellismagic.com

Tim Ellis is an Australian performer, author and lecturer in the world of magic and illusion.

Biography

Ellis was born in Melbourne.[1] He began performing magic at the age of nine after his grandfather gave him a magic set as a gift.[2][3][4][5] At the age of 14 he was the youngest magician ever admitted to The Magic Circle of Victoria and two years later won four out of their five annual awards. In 1980, he won the title 'Best Under 18 Magician of Australia'.[6]

In 1986, he created and produced 'National Magic Week',[7] a ten-day festival of the magical arts which was presented annually for the next nine years. In 1989, Ellis made national headlines when he locked himself in a crate, sealed it with chains, and was dropped into the Yarra River to promote Magic Week. [8]

Ellis produced and edited 'Australian Magic Monthly',[9][10] a national publication for magicians which came out monthly for 100 issues, while writing a regular column on the Australian magic scene for the international Genii.[11]

Ellis was married to Kristina Todorovich from 1990 to 1998.

Ellis created 'MagicSports'[12][13][14] a form of improvised magic games based on Keith Johnstone's 'Theatre Sports'.

In 1992 he bought Australia's oldest magic shop, 'Bernard's Magic Shop'[15][16] which he owned for several years.

In 1994 he was awarded second place in 'Micro Magic' at the FISM World Magic Championship in Yokohama, Japan.[17] This followed the 'Special Prize of the Jury' he was awarded at the 1991 FISM in Lausanne, Switzerland for his 'Six Card Rap'.[18][19]

Ellis was married to Sue-Anne Webster from 1998 to 2011.[20] Ellis performed as a guest artist at the FISM World Championship of Magic, performing in the Close Up Gala in 2000 and the Stage Gala in 2003.[21] In 2001, Ellis and Webster were voted 'Most Valuable Performers' by their peers at the close up magic convention 'Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic' in Batavia, New York.[22]

Ellis sat on the jury at the FISM World Championship of Magic in 2003 at Den Haag, in 2006 at Stockholm, and 2009 in Beijing.[23] In 2004 Ellis and Webster produced three magic teaching DVDs,[24][25][26] and together with a team of Melbourne magicians they set a new Guinness World Record for the world's longest magic show by performing non-stop for 75 hours at Luna Park, Melbourne, Australia.[27][28] The previous record was 24 hours.[29] In the same year Ellis produced the 29th Australian Convention of Magicians.[30]

In 2007 Ellis was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.[31]

After the 2007 show Poker in the Face,[32][33] Ellis presented two shows for the 2008 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Illusionarium with Ellis & Webster[34] and Something About Needles & Razorblades. Later that year he performed The Wizards of Aus[35] at The Melbourne Magic Festival. The 2009 Festival saw his new shows AspyCadabra, and Ellis in Wonderland performed with Sue-Anne Webster. The 2010 Festival saw two new shows Escape From Reality and Illusionarium 2010 and in 2011 they premiered Once Upon A Time... 2012 his solo shows The Mad Hatter's Magical Tea Party and Timeless Magic followed by three new shows in 2013 The Mad Hatter's History of Hattery, As Seen on TV and In Dreams.[36] In 2014 he presented the improvised show Magic vs Music: The Audience Always Wins and 1 Defining Moment as well as Immaculate Deceptions for the Bally On High Festival. At the 2015 Melbourne Magic Festival he presented The Mad Hatter: Return to Wonderland and the poker themed show Full House, as well as producing MagicSports which won the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award for 'Funniest Show'. At the 2016 Festival he presented This Is Magic and an updated version of In Dreams. For 2017 This Is Magic returned and his popular character from Young Talent Time was resurrected in the show Professor Googalfitz Explains it All.[37] In 2018 the Festival moved to the Melba Spiegeltent and Tim teamed with Carisa Hendrix to present the show World of Wizards and also performed The Late Night Magic, Comedy & Something Ellis Hour and Spellbinder at The Laneway Theatre. In 2019 he presented The Mad Hatter's Magical Tea Party[38] and As Seen on TV. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the 2020 Melbourne Magic Festival was cancelled and Tim spent most of the year performing 50 shows via Zoom.[39]

Tim is the artistic director and founder of the Melbourne Magic Festival and as of July 2022 president of The Australian Institute of Magic.[40]

He has performed on television programs including Midday, Good Morning Australia, The Daryl Somers Show, Young Talent Time, Hey Hey It's Saturday, Sunrise, and The Today Show. He also appears in Nadia Tass's feature film Matching Jack (2010).[41]

Works

Stage shows

Year Show Dates Notes
1981-84 The Magic Club - A Musical Magical 1981 to 1984 An ensemble cast of teenage magicians performed at various Melbourne theatres
1984 Magic Unlimited 1984 School show toured for the Victorian Arts Council
1987 Illusion: The Ultimate Fantasy October Caulfield Arts Centre
1987 The Wind In The Willows Jan to Mar The Australian Shakespeare Company in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens
1989 Spellbinder 1989 School show toured for the Victorian Arts Council
1989 The Greatest Show At The Show September With Peter Gray and Christof at the Royal Melbourne Show
1989 Cunning Stunts Four Month Season The Comedy Cafe, Melbourne
1990 Pure Magic Jan to Feb A close up magic show at The Victorian Arts Centre
1991 Dreamweaver 1991 School show toured for the Victorian Arts Council
1993 Dreams & Illusions December Pitrone's Cabaret Restaurant, Melbourne
1994 Pure Magic 1994 School show toured for the Victorian Arts Council
1995 International Stars of Magic 1995 Burswood Casino, Perth
1998 Dreams & Illusions 1998 Capers Dinner Theatre, Melbourne
1999-2000 Magic Unlimited's Best Show Ever 1999 to 2000 School Show toured throughout Victoria and Tasmania
2000 Cunning Stunts April Melbourne International Comedy Festival
2004 Magic Concert 2004 With Eun Gyeol Lee in Seoul, South Korea
2007 Poker In The Face April Melbourne International Comedy Festival
2008 Something About Needles & Razorblades April Melbourne International Comedy Festival
2008 Illusionarium April Melbourne International Comedy Festival
2008 The Wizards of Aus Sep 22 to Oct 4 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2008 Something About Needles & Razorblades October The Melbourne Magic Festival
2009 Aspycadabra July 8 to 11 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2009 Ellis in Wonderland June 29 to July 4 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2010 Two Out Of A Hat September Northcote Kids Festival
2010 Wow Magic On Earth March Hong Kong
2010 Illusionarium 2010 June 28 to July 10 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2010 Escape From Reality July 7 to 10 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2011 Something About Needles & Razorblades May IMX, Las Vegas
2011 Something About Needles & Razorblades July The Melbourne Magic Festival
2011 Once Upon A Time July 4 to 16 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2012 Timeless Magic July 3 to 11 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2012 The Mad Hatter's Magical Tea Party July 2 to 15 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2013 The Mad Hatter's History of Hattery July 1 to 6 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2013 As Seen On TV July 8 to 12 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2013 In Dreams July 8 to 13 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2014 Magic vs Music June 30 to July 5 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2014 1 Defining Moment July 8 to 11 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2014 Immaculate Deceptions Nov to Dec The Bally On High Festival
2015 Full House July 7 to 11 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2015 The Mad Hatter - Return To Wonderland June 29 to July 3 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2016 MagicSports April The Melbourne International Comedy Festival
2016 This Is Magic! July 4 to 8 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2016 In Dreams July 5 to 9 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2017 This Is Magic! July 4 to 8 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2017 Professor Googalfitz Explains It All July 3 to 7 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2017-2018 Pure Magic August to February The Laneway Theatre
2018 Spellbinder Feb to August The Laneway Theatre
2018 World of Wizards July 3 to 6 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2018 The Late Night Comedy, Magic & Something Ellis Hour July 10 to 14 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2019 Aspycadabra March to December The Laneway Theatre
2019 Astonishment April to December The Laneway Theatre
2019 As Seen On TV July 2 to 6 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2019 The Mad Hatter's Magical Tea Party July 8 to 13 The Melbourne Magic Festival
2020 Out of Nothing. Something. Feb to December The Laneway Theatre

Published works

Year Format Title Notes
1989-98 Monthly National Magazine Australian Magic Monthly Editor and publisher
1992 Monthly Club Magazine The Magic Circular Editor
1992 Lecture Notes The Secret Diary of Tim Ellis
1993 Teaching Video Cunning Stunts
1993-95 Teaching Videos - 18 Volumes Bernard's Teaching Video Series Producer
2000 Monthly National Magazine AMM 2000 Editor and Publisher
2000 Lecture Notes Ellis in Wonderland
2001 Lecture Notes 24 Years of Living Next Door To Ellis
2001 Lecture Notes Runaround Sue
2002 Paperback Book The Two Of Us Profiled in one chapter
2004 Teaching DVD Ellis in Wonderland
2004 Teaching DVD 24 Years of Living Next Door to Ellis
2004 Teaching DVD Runaround Sue
2004 Paperback Book Eun Gyeol Lee's Book of Magic (First Ever Korean Language Magic Book) Contributor
2005 Trick The Tim Card Poker Deal[42]
2006 Teaching DVD Ellis & Webster's Cunning Stunts Bar bets and easy magic for the public
2006 Performance DVD Ellis & Webster's Most Amazing Magic Volume 1
2006 Performance DVD Ellis & Webster's Most Amazing Magic Volume 2
2006 Hardcover Book Dictionnaire de la prestidigitation by Jean de Merry & André Ciocca Profiled in one chapter
2007 Paperback Book Deception Downunder by Brian McCullagh Profiled in one chapter
2010 Paperback Book Magic's Most Amazing Stories by Ivan Amodei Contributor
2011 Hardcover Book Timeless Magic
2012 Paperback Book Bamboozlers Volume 3 by Diamond Jim Tyler Contributor
2014 Paperback Book Who Is Magic Babe Ning by Ning Cai Contributor
2015 Hardcover Book The Bammo Ten Card Deal Dossier by Bob Farmer Contributor
2016 Hardcover Book Locked by Jim Kleefeld Contributor
2018 Trick iDrop by Tim Ellis Released by Vanishing Inc.

Awards and honours

  • Excellence in Magic Award - Melbourne Magic Festival (2017)
  • Guinness World Record (with team of Melbourne magicians) – World's Longest Magic Show, 85 hours (2016) [43]
  • Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award (for MagicSports) – Melbourne Magic Festival (2015) [44]
  • Nominated Lecturers of the Year (with Sue-Anne Webster) – The Magic Castle, Hollywood (2005)
  • Guinness World Record (with team of Melbourne magicians) – World's Longest Magic Show, 75 hours (2004) [45]
  • Most Valuable Participants (with Sue-Anne Webster) – Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic, New York (2001) [46]
  • Second place, Close Up Magic – FISM World Magic Championships – Yokohama, Japan (1994) [47]
  • Special Prize of the Jury – FISM World Magic Championships – Lausanne, Switzerland (1991) [48]
  • Best Stage Magic in Australia – National Australian Magic Convention (1990)
  • Best Trick – National Australian Magic Convention (1986 & 1990)
  • Best Close Up Magician in Australia – National Australian Magic Convention (1986)
  • Best Close Up Magician – Ballarat, Newcastle, and Adelaide Magic Conventions (1989)
  • Best Card Magician – Adelaide Magic Conventions (1989)
  • Teenage Champion Magician of Australia – National Australian Magic Convention (1980)
  • Harmony Trophy – Magic Circle of Victoria (1978, 1979)
  • Ron Kreyt's Shield for Close Up Magic – Magic Circle of Victoria (1979)
  • Improver's Trophy – Magic Circle of Victoria (1979)
  • Librarian's Trophy – Magic Circle of Victoria (1979)

References

  1. ↑ "Tim Ellis (VI)". IMDb.
  2. ↑ Walter, Denis (3 June 2009). "Radio interview with Denis Walter on 3AW". Radio 3AW. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  3. ↑ Adams, Dave (25 May 2008). "A 'Magical' Life: Behind the Curtain with Illusionists Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster". Sight Magazine. Ocean Grove Baptist Church. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  4. ↑ DeMerry, Jean (2006). Dictionnaire de la Prestidigitation. Paris: Editions Georges Proust. ISBN 2-913505-22-8.
  5. ↑ Unwin, Mat (September 2007). "Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster in their words". Magic Magazine. Las Vegas: Stan Allen: 46–51.
  6. ↑ McCullagh, Brian (2007). Deception Downunder: A Look at Magic in Australia. Melbourne, Australia: The Australian Society of Magicians p. 46. "He attended his first magic convention in 1978 (at fifteen years of age) and two years later won the Teenage Magic Competition at the National Convention.".
  7. ↑ McCullagh, Brian (2007). Deception Downunder: A Look at Magic in Australia. Melbourne, Australia: The Australian Society of Magicians p.48. "Another extremely valuable contribution to Australian Magic that can be attributed to Tim is "Magic Week", which was founded in 1986, went national in 1991 and ended in 1994.".
  8. ↑ Boyle, Patrick “In 1989, Ellis made national headlines when he locked himself in a crate, sealed it with chains, and was dropped into the Yarra River.” (25 May 2008). "It's Magic You Know". Broadsheet. Nick Shelton. Retrieved 3 October 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ McCullagh, Brian (2007). Deception Downunder: A Look at Magic in Australia. Melbourne, Australia: The Australian Society of Magicians p. 46. "From October 1989 to January 1998 Tim edited, published and sold 'Australian Magic Monthly', which was just that.".
  10. ↑ Deutch, Richard (1993). The Australian Magician's Handbook. Sydney, Australia: Hodder and Stoughton p. 292. "Ellis is also the editor of 'The Australian Magic Monthly', a very professional publication.". ISBN 0-340-58456-4.
  11. ↑ McCullagh, Brian (2007). Deception Downunder: A Look at Magic in Australia. Melbourne, Australia: The Australian Society of Magicians p. 46. "This resulted in his regular Genii column "Dateline Downunder",".
  12. ↑ Sturk, John (6 June 2008). "Magic + Theater". Fun Inc. Fun Inc. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  13. ↑ Fitt, Tom (December 1992). "Magicsports". Magic Magazine. Las Vegas: Stan Allen: 28–30.
  14. ↑ Ellis, Tim (1991). "MagicSports: Rules". Tim Ellis. Magic Unlimited. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  15. ↑ DeMerry, Jean (2006). Dictionnaire de la Prestidigitation. Paris: Editions Georges Proust. ISBN 2-913505-22-8.
  16. ↑ Deutch, Richard (1993). The Australian Magician's Handbook. Sydney, Australia: Hodder and Stoughton p. 292. "Ellis, Tim. Internationally known magician/illusionist, owner of Bernard's Magic Shop.". ISBN 0-340-58456-4.
  17. ↑ "FISM Magic World Championship Results 1991–1997". Championship Results. The Official FISM Website. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  18. ↑ Johnson, Michael E (12 November 2009). "Who's Who Among Magicians". Magic Biography and Magicians. MagicBiography.com. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  19. ↑ DeMerry, Jean (2006). Dictionnaire de la Prestidigitation. Paris: Editions Georges Proust. ISBN 2-913505-22-8.
  20. ↑ Linnell, Garry (2002). The Two of Us. Melbourne, Australia: Penguin Books "The Melbourne-based couple married in 1998 and now perform together around the world, as well as making appearances on the corporate dinner circuit.". ISBN 0-14-300069-1.
  21. ↑ Whaley, Barton (2009). "Who's Who in Magic". E Book. Lybrary.com. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  22. ↑ O'Brien, Obie. "Lou Gallo MVP Award Winners". Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic. FFFF. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  23. ↑ Vickers, Dodd (9 August 2009). "MNW No. 128 Tim Ellis". Podcast Interview. The Magic Newswire. The original magic news and information portal on the internet Est 1994. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  24. ↑ Kawamoto, Wayne (9 August 2009). "24 Years of Living Next Door To Ellis". DVD Review. About.com Magic and Illusion. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  25. ↑ Quinlan, Tim (25 September 2004). "Ellis in Wonderland". DVD Review. Inside Magic. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  26. ↑ Shane (25 September 2004). "Runaround Sue". DVD Review. Online Visions. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  27. ↑ "Magicians Conjure Record Attempt". The Age. Fairfax Digital Media. 5 April 2004. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  28. ↑ Quinlan, Tim (28 March 2005). "Longest Magic Show Honor Belongs in Melbourne". Inside Magic: Magic News Updated Daily For The Professional Magician. Inside Magic. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  29. ↑ Kavitha, S S (19 May 2007). "Casting A Magic Spell". Hindu on the Net. The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 March 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  30. ↑ Morton, Nick (August 2004). "Conventioneering" (PDF). 'Magic Makers' The Official Newsletter of The Australian Society of Magicians pp 8–10. The Australian Society of Magicians. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  31. ↑ Unwin, Mat (September 2007). "Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster in their words". Magic Magazine. Las Vegas: Stan Allen: 46–51.
  32. ↑ Razer, Helen (17 April 2007). "Poker in the Face". Arts Review. The Age. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  33. ↑ Johnson, Nicholas (12 April 2007). "Poker in the Face". Readers Reviews. The Age. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  34. ↑ Crowley, Caitlin (26 March 2008). "Illusionarium! starring Ellis and Webster". Theatre Review. The Groggy Squirrel. Archived from the original on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  35. ↑ Davidson, Erin (23 September 2008). "The Wizards of Aus". Theatre Review. The Groggy Squirrel. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  36. ↑ Irwin, Julia "Although there were many highlights, arguably the most affecting came from local Northcote magician, festival founder and artistic director Tim Ellis, with 1 Defining Moment. Ellis masterfully conjured both humour and pathos in a largely autobiographical series of defining moments leading up to the ultimate revelation. Set to a poignant soundtrack, the audience was quickly moved from tears to laughter and back again. A truly magical performance." (16 July 2014). "Melbourne Magic Festival disappears from Northcote after thrilling thousands". Theatre Review. Northcote Leader. Retrieved 7 December 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  37. ↑ Thorogood, Helen (4 June 2017). "Professor Googalfitz Explains It All at The Melbourne Magic Festival". Blog. Weekend Notes. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  38. ↑ Artomonow, Tay (8 July 2019). "MMF 2019 Review:The Mad Hatter's Magical Tea Party". Blog. Tay About Town. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  39. ↑ Woodhead, Cameron (25 June 2020). "Magicians Have Something Up Their Sleeves For Virus Lockdown". Newspaper. The Age. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  40. ↑ "Australian Institute of Magic Officers". Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  41. ↑ "Tim Ellis (VI)". IMDb. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  42. ↑ Kawamoto, Wayne. "Magic Review". The Tim Card Poker Deal by Tim Ellis. About.com Magic and Illusion. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  43. ↑ Brown, Simon Leo (8 June 2016). "Magicians attempt record for world's longest magic show in Melbourne". Age Newspaper. Nine Entertainment.
  44. ↑ "2015 Melbourne Magic Festival Award Winners". Melbourne Magic Festival. Australian Institute of Magic. 2015.
  45. ↑ "Magicians Conjure Record Attempt". Age Newspaper. Nine Entertainment. 5 April 2004.
  46. ↑ O'Brien, Obie. "Lou Gallo MVP Award Winners". Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic. FFFF.
  47. ↑ "FISM Magic World Championship Results 1991–1997". Championship Results. The Official FISM Website.
  48. ↑ "FISM Magic World Championship Results 1991–1997". Championship Results. The Official FISM Website.
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