Issue 24 - January 09
The Magic Interview Series No. 3 Jonathan Goodwin
Double audio CD, running time approx. 106 mins
Available from: www.emagicalmedia.com
Price: £15.00
To this day, Jonathan Goodwin still carries around with him an iron-shaped scar on his chest. My own overriding image of him is of a hot iron burning through a sheet suspended over him, and this wedge-shaped chunk of small white-goods nastiness falling through the sheet and striking the next thing in its way which unfortunately happened to be Jonathan, tied in position on his bed. This unashamedly low-cost escapology stunt sums up Jonathan and his performance outlook very well; keep it real and recognisable in both situation and its jeopardy; and yes, be a bit bonkers.
Magician - and now escapologist - Jonathan Goodwin's mantra of keeping his performances real, relevant and relatable is a familiar one, and this two-disc set gives him ample time to talk about his philosophies as well as sketching in his biographical story as he speaks to Jay Fortune. This biographical story has been one with a somewhat rapid rise; graduating in Theatre Studies, walking into a magic-producer role for a live illusion show, becoming one of the Marvin's demonstrators at Hamley's, meeting Derren Brown, and then becoming The Colonel, one of Channel Five's Monkey Magic quartet all by the age of 21.
Disc one covers mainly Jonathan's background and subsequent rise to his regular TV appearances - (learn his original Monkey Magic nickname and the rather unpleasant reason for Pete Firman being Tufty) - whilst disc two concentrates on his first love of escapology. But peppered throughout are such views as: the magician as actor playing the part of a magician cobblers; magic competitions and conventions incestuous I absolutely don't see the point. These contentious opinions, however, are not just spewed out indiscriminately; these are considered arguments and judgments that Jonathan earnestly puts forth.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting interview in which Jonathan speaks honestly, charmingly and fully. He has a great voice for radio, and is relaxed and amiable thus ensuring a more comfortable experience for the listener. Another good point is that we don't hear that much from Jay Fortune yes that is a compliment. Jay poses the questions, then sits back to allow his interviewee the time and space to answer.
Though by the end you may begin to understand why such a well-rounded, pleasant-sounding young man would want to strive to do such horrendous things in the name of escapology, there still remains that gap to actually going out there and willingly doing them. That part I'll leave to Jonathan, and be content in not following him.
Oh, and one final warning the cow stuff is definitely not for the squeamish. DL
What's Hot : Thought-provoking and rewarding
What's Not: Nothing really. It's an extensive audio
interview on CD - and that's exactly what you get!
Star Rating - ****
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