Magical duo come to Micklefield this weekend (From Bucks Free Press)

Magical duo come to Micklefield this weekend

10:20am Friday 19th October 2012 in Freetime By Rebecca Cain

ROB West and Rhys Morgan managed to fool two top American magicians last year.

But how will they fare with the Micklefield audience this weekend as part of Theatre in the VIllages.

Described as Victorian time-travelling magicians the duo do not take themselves too seriously.

Rhys told Freetime to expect an evening of family fun. Rob and Rhys met at Oxford University when they were both studying science subjects and neither of them had yet discovered magic.

Rhys said: "We did a lot of bad student theatre and we bonded over how bad it was. When we met neither of us were doing magic."

Unbeknown to the other they each started learning magic and soon they were sharing tips.

Rob, 25 studied physics and Rhys did chemistry. When they finished they went to the Edinburgh Fringe to perform and decided if it didn't go well they would never speak of it again.

But they needn't worry as they made a profit and continued performing while also doing PGCEs to become teacher.

They taught for a year and half before they could quit to do magic full time last December.

Rhys said: "Luckily we get on well. We lived together for a couple of years as well. We both live with our respective partners now about half a mile apart."

And he said they make sure Monday to Friday 10am-4pm they work on new material and admin.

The duo, who are based in Oxford, appeared on Penn & Teller: Fool Us on ITV, which was hosted by Jonathan Ross, and challenged UK magicians to try and outwit one of the world's most respected acts. They wrote a new trick specifically for the show using silhouettes of their historical friends, a devilish feat of memory and Mr Morgan' secret skill.

They managed to fool the pair and as a result they took a trip to America to perform on the stage of Rio, Penn and Teller's Las Vegas home.

They are described as a duo of Victorian parlour magicians who practise magic in the 21st century thanks to having their own time machines.

He said they enjoy taking part in programmes such as Theatre in the Villages. He said: "You always get very appreciative audiences. They are always good fun as you are bringing something slightly different to the village hall."

He said audiences can expect a magic show in a very traditional sense-a lot of tricks, and a bit of mind reading- in a family friendly show. Rhys said: "It is our full time jobs. The show is really the rewarding bit- the whole point of the job. It is what we work for- to stand on stage."

Morgan & West are at Micklefield Community Centre on October 20 at 6.30pm. Tickets are £8 (£6 students and under 16s) from Keith Hill Butchers or call 01494 522396. They are also at Hedgerley Memorial Hall on October 26 at 8pm but this is sold out. Call Jean Medway-Gash on 01753 784908.