Ian Fenn
Associate of The Inner Magic Circle
Ian Fenn is a former radio producer and a recognised historian of radio magic. He began researching the history of magic on the radio in February 2023.
On air since 1922
Magic on the Air
Ideas for radio magic, podcasts and ZOOM shows
Ian Fenn and Arthur Setterington
Radio is a powerful promotional vehicle for magicians that the magic press have long neglected. This book combines Ian Fenn’s research with the previously unpublished thoughts of Arthur Setterington to help you make the most of this challenging medium.
Hardcover · 273 pages
Read the introduction and a full chapter free
It’s unbelievable. It’s really fantastic. I’m sure there’s not been anything like it before. I can’t believe how much you’ve researched. Incredible.
David Berglas MBE, on the history section
About the book
Radio reaches thousands of listeners, yet the magic press has long neglected it as a way for magicians to win clients and audiences. Magic on the Air shows you how to use it.
Ian Fenn traces a century of magic on the wireless, from the first “tricks and patter” in 1922 to Sirdani, The Piddingtons and David Berglas, drawing on original scripts and broadcast archives. He turns what worked for them into practical advice: finding opportunities on air today, creating magic that works without pictures, and handling yourself in the studio.
The book also includes Arthur Setterington’s routine ideas from BBC Radio Humberside’s “Friday Pie”, published for the first time, with illustrations by Ken de Courcy.
It isn’t merely a book of tricks. It gives you what you need to create your own routines for radio, podcasts and Zoom that turn listeners into clients or live audiences.
273pages, in hardcover
20photographs
17previously unseen illustrations by Ken de Courcy
30routine ideas from “Friday Pie”
History of radio magic
Tuning across seventy years
The history section follows magicians who worked the wireless, many through original scripts and contemporary listings.
1922The early years
1926Cyril Shields
1932The big names experiment
1944Sirdani
1948The Amazing Fogel
1949The Piddingtons
1950The Great Marlo and Georgina
1952Sirdani returns
1953Pharos and Marina
1954David Berglas
1963John Wade and others
Scroll the dial sideways to see every station.
Free sample
Read before you buy
The introduction explains how the book came together. “Elevating your radio magic” sets out ten lessons drawn from Albert Daniels, The Piddingtons, David Berglas and others.
Contents
What’s inside
With a foreword by Jon Marshall of the Hull Magicians’ Circle.
- History of radio magic13
From 2ZY Manchester in 1922 through Sirdani, The Piddingtons, David Berglas and John Wade.
- Opportunities in radio today127
Interviews and straight talks.
- Creating radio magic141
Words, sound, music, location and types of effect.
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Ten lessons, from making pictures and speaking to the individual to working with somebody else. Read free
- At the radio studio163
- Routine ideas from “Friday Pie”171
Thirty routines in two series, including a newspaper prediction, the murder game, Houdini, the master magician, and catching a bullet.
- Recommended reading237
- Bibliography247
- Appendix: David Berglas and “The Forces Show”269
About the authors
Illustrations by Ken de Courcy
The magician Ken de Courcy illustrated Arthur’s original manuscript. His 17 drawings appear here for the first time.
Get the hardcover
273 pages, with 20 photographs and 17 illustrations. Published by Chopstix Media Limited.