Juggling twins play with danger
Under the shade of nearby trees, twin magicians David and Paul Jackman begin setting up their magic routine at the New York State Fair.
Crowds take notice and move towards the two men dressed in odd, colorful suits.
Once the show begins, David and Paul invite audience members to participate in the act – putting spectators in potentially dangerous positions as the duo juggles bowling pins in front of and behind a 12-year-old girl.
The magicians engage their audience using sheer technique and skill that can only come from a lifetime of practice.
The duo, known professionally as the Twin Magicians, has made a living from this type of entertainment. They started juggling for small crowds 36 years ago. This year, David and Paul take their performance to the next level by performing fire eating.
‘We need to make this dangerous,’ Paul Jackman said. ‘The more dangerous, the more exciting; the more exciting, the more fun.’
Initially, the fire eating and ‘people juggling’ pulled in their audiences. But the brothers’ enthusiasm and chipper humor still keeps crowds interested.
Having recently returned from a venture to California, the Twin Magicians have played for a variety of audiences: from the students at California State University to the New York Renaissance Fair.
This year’s appearance marks the duo’s first time at the fair – performing four shows a day near the State Park location.
After the fair ends, the brothers will return to their home in Cicero, N.Y., and plan to return to the fair next year.
‘We love the fair,’ David Jackman said. ‘We love magic. We figure they go together really well.’
Published on August 26, 2008 at 12:00 pm
