David Berglas
David Berglas
“One of our greatest living magical performers” – Derren BrownDavid Berglas is a performer who needs no introduction. His name is mentioned in hushed tones of reverence. He is a legendary man of mystery whose exploits are unmatched in the history of modern magic. David joins us as our special guest via live video conference at IMX 2011 for an unforgettable evening that will pull back the curtain on this truly remarkable man.
David defined magic on British television as was one of the very first magicians with his own show “Meet David Berglas” in 1954. Numerous other television series followed and were highly acclaimed in Holland, Sweden, Norway and Germany. In the 1970s he presented a one hour television special in Las Vegas. In the UK he caused a sensation with his Channel 4 series “The Mind of David Berglas” where he interviewed and entertained ebrity guests including Omar Sharif, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Peter Cook and Max Bygraves.
Winston Churchill, Aristotle Onassis, Paul Getty, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Michael Jackson, the Sultan of Brunei and most of the British Royal Family have all experienced first hand his incredible miracles of the mind.
From stage to screen – he has acted as creative consultant on numerous major films including:
*The 1967 version of Casino Royale, with Orson Welles, Peter Sellers, David Niven and Woody Allen
*Tim Burton’s Batman with Jack Nicholson in 1989
*George Lucas’s Willow with Warwick Davis
*Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon with Ryan O’Neal
*Albert R. Broccoli’s Octopussy with Roger Moore and four other James Bond movies.
The list of Honours accorded to the man is incredible:
*President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (British Ring) 1976-1977.
*In 1979 he was voted “King Rat” of the Grand Order of Water Rats, the world’s leading show business charity organization
*He is a past President of The Magic Circle (1989-1998)
*In 1991 he was surprised by Michael Aspel when he became the subject of television’s This Is Your Life.
*The Magic Circle presented him with the coveted “Gold Medal” in the year 2000, which was only the sixth ever to be awarded since 1905
*He has been honoured internationally by receiving top magic awards, including in 1980 the “Gold Plaque” in Sweden, in 1995 The Magic Circle’s “Maskelyne Award”, in 2005 the “Masters Fellowship” from the Academy of Magical Arts, and in 2008 the prestigious “Grolla” in Italy.
*Also in 2008 he was bestowed the “Griffin Award” and named “Grand Master of Mystery” by PSYCRETS (The British Society of Mystery Entertainers).
“Once in a lifetime comes a man who truly does create the impossible”While many know of his extensive career on stage – few know of his incredible work behind the scenes through his Foundation for Promoting the Art of Magic. His philanthropic endeavours have benefited the magical fraternity the world over and given hope & joy to thousands of young people from some of the most destitute conditions imaginable.
His story in magic is without a doubt larger than life …
Known for his numerous publicity stunts including going down the notorius Cresta Run blindfolded, manipulating and even smoking cigarettes underwater(!), performing Russian roulette, and touring the world, lecturing on and demonstrating memory feats – David Berglas’ performance remains unmatched. While his signature pieces include the levitation of a heavy table and a dangerous pulse stopping routine – the most beautiful of all comes in the form of a card effect … the “Holy Grail” of Card Magic known simply as “The Berglas Effect” … to see it performed – is to believe in true magic.
Experience the joy all over again at IMX as we celebrate the man, the magic & the mystery that is David Berglas.
