Ross Skiffington

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Ross Skiffington
Born
New Zealand
EducationAuckland University
OccupationMagician, actor, director

Ross Skiffington is a New Zealand-born Australian magician, actor, and theatre director, who has received two lifetime achievement awards for his contributions to magic.

Contents

Biography

Skiffington trained as an actor, graduating with a Diploma in Fine Arts from Auckland University. He moved to Australia in 1975 and obtained Australian citizenship in 1984. [1] He has performed as an actor on television programs including The Box , Cop Shop , Division 4 , The Sullivans , Holiday Island , Carson's Law and Skyways . He has performed as an illusionist on television programs including The Mike Walsh Show , The Don Lane Show , The Ray Martin Show , Young Talent Time , and The Bert Newton Show .

Theatrical and magical shows which Skiffington has created and directed include: Tricks, Electricks, Patrick’s Hat Trick, The Fabulous Fontaines!, Chiller!, CHINOIS!, Silver’s Grand Magic Circus, and the Melbourne Festival of the Arts Opening Night Spectacular. He frequently works with a company of performers, dancers and choreographers whom he has gathered together. His illusions are devised and built by his illusion technician, engineer Gordon Arney. [2]

In addition, Skiffington has worked extensively in theatrical productions, notably with the Bell Shakespeare Company, for which he has worked as both an actor and magician. [3]

Skiffington has frequently worked as a consultant on magic for large-scale theatrical productions. In 2006 he spent six weeks teaching actor Guy Pearce how to perform the tricks of Harry Houdini for the film Death Defying Acts . [4] He worked as a magic consultant for the 2008 production of The Magic Flute by Opera Queensland. [5]

Most recently, Skiffington has been performing regularly at The Magic Mansion. [6]

Awards

Ross Skiffington has received two lifetime achievement awards:

He was also the winner of four awards at the 17th Australian Society of Magicians Convention. [8] These were for 'favourite trick', 'stage', 'comedy' and 'cabaret'.

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References

  1. McCullagh, Brian (2007). Deception Downunder: A Look at Magic in Australia 'The ASM's Most Famous Member'. Melbourne, Australia: The Australian Society of Magicians pp. 32–33.
  2. Morton, Nick (May 2002). "'ASM Meeting Review – Monday 8th April 2002'" (PDF). ’Magic Makers’ The Official Newsletter of The Australian Society of Magicians p. 6. The Australian Society of Magicians. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  3. Duke, Robin (15 March 2006). "The Comedy of Errors". Theatre Review. The Stage, UK. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  4. Pandaram, Jamie (21 September 2006). "Master passes on a few tricks of the trade". Arts Review. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  5. "Roll Up Roll Up". Event Guide. Our Brisbane.com. July 2008. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  6. "The Magic Mansion". Official Site. Magic Mansion. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  7. McCullagh, Brian (2007). Deception Downunder: A Look at Magic in Australia 'The ASM's Most Famous Member'. Melbourne, Australia: The Australian Society of Magicians pp. 32–33.
  8. "Australian Magic Conventions". Blog. Magic Unlimited. Retrieved 10 December 2009.