There’s “magic” in the air

Before he even introduced himself the audience began asking questions: “Where did he come from? How did he do that?” when he switched places with Marion in a split second. “Where’s the middle of his body? And how did the boy’s shoe end up in the megaphone?”

“Isn’t she incredible? I couldn’t do this without her,” says Ted about his wife and partner in illusion, Marion. A Ballet Master, she enhances the show as she twirls back through time including the game show era of the 60’s and the medieval ages.

The tricks became more sensational. “Where did his wife go?” She crawled into the TV and disappeared.

He swirls three gold rings from three strangers. They confirm that they are in fact their rings after they’re linked. How’d he do that? He levitated his wife Marion. “No way!” “Amazing,” they said.

Whether it is a card trick involving Zelda the psychic chicken, a “bottle in the tube” stunt or sawing a lady in half, he invites children, adults, and even good-natured mayors to share the spotlight with him as he boggles their minds. They’re not the only ones who engage in “intense conversation” after they’ve watched him up close. His own professional peers are still scratching their heads. They have awarded him “Stage Magician of the Year”.

“I’m here!” he announced from the back of the Prince of Wales auditorium a mili-second after he freed himself from a straightjacket on the stage.

His feats will always be a mystery though some people claim they know the secrets.

But do we really want to know? The magic lingers as friends puzzle through the mystery. Bewilderment is far more delightful than deduction. Besides, did you notice the twinkle in Outerbridge’s eye?

When Ted Outerbridge was seven he saw three ropes of different sizes become equal in length. He felt goose-bumps and determined on the spot that he wanted to share that feeling with others.

Nearly four decades later with Discovery Channel appearances, consultations for the Cirque du Soleil, performances through Europe and North America and several awards and that motivation remains consistent. He still loves to astonish. “For me the magic has to come from the heart. It can’t just be a trick I bought.”

Even more mind-bending than his illusions are how he made time stand still. In this hectic-paced world, Ted Outerbridge stops the sands of the hourglass so busy families can come together to laugh and marvel. He creates pockets of time in the future for friends to reminisce and revel about an unforgettable evening. And that is magical.

He turns full-grown adults into kids again. Amazing! And he doesn’t just bend your brain, he reaches through your ribs and touches your heart with his sincerity. That is true enchantment.

“It’s an honour to be here. We hope our paths will cross again as we continue our journey through life,” he shared in closing.

Assiniboia is still talking about this gracious and mysterious couple. Generations of entire families will remember and be drawn together again.

© 2010 The Assiniboia Times by Pam Mytron
Photograph by Donna Cheyne, The Assiniboia Times