Ross Skiffington

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

Biography

Ross Skiffington trained as an actor, graduating with a Diploma in Fine Arts from Auckland University, moving to Australia in 1975 and obtaining Australian citizenship in 1984. [Brian McCullagh, "The Melbourne ASM's Most Famous Member," "“Deception Downunder”: A Look at Magic in Australia", published by The Australian Society of Magicians, Melbourne Assembly, on the occasion of the centenary of the ASM (2007), pp. 32–33.] He has performed as an actor on television programs including "The Box", "Cop Shop", "Division 4", "The Sullivans", "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. [ [http://www.magicians.org.au/files/vol5204.pdf Magic Makers] , volume 52, number 4.]

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. [ [http://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/bellMain2008/international/comedy/comedyReviews.htm The Bell Shakespeare Company, reviews of "The Comedy of Errors"] ]

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". [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/master-passes-on-a-few-tricks-of-the-trade/2006/09/20/1158431782421.html Master passes on a few tricks of the trade] ] He worked as a magic consultant for the 2008 production of "The Magic Flute" by Opera Queensland. [ [http://www.ourbrisbane.com/whats-on/performing-arts/the-magic-flute Our Brisbane, The Magic Flute] ]

Most recently, Skiffington has been performing regularly at "The Magic Mansion". [ [http://www.magicmansion.com.au/first.html The Magic Mansion] ]

Awards

Ross Skiffington has received two lifetime achievement awards:
*At the 27th Australian Society of Magicians Convention, for his "contribution to the art of magic" (2000).
*From Magic New Zealand, for “a lifetime dedicated to the magical arts” (2005). [Brian McCullagh, "The Melbourne ASM's Most Famous Member," "“Deception Downunder”: A Look at Magic in Australia", published by The Australian Society of Magicians, Melbourne Assembly, on the occasion of the centenary of the ASM (2007), pp. 32–33.]

He was also the winner of four awards at the 17th Australian Society of Magicians Convention. [ [http://rossskiffington.com.au/4.html Biography of Ross Skiffington] ]

References

External links

* [http://rossskiffington.com.au/ Official home page]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0804156/ Ross Skiffington at IMDB.com]
* [http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/records-archives/archives/cgi-alias/monpix?Disp_PHOTOGRAPH_DATE=CHECKED&Disp_DIMENSIONS=&Disp_I=&Submit=1&IMAGE_NUMBER=1719&Disp_NOTES=&PHOTOGRAPH_DATE=1977&Disp_SUBJECT_DESCRIPTOR=&Disp_IMAGE_TITLE=CHECKED&Disp_advanced=CHECKED&Disp_PHOTOGRAPHER=&Disp_COLOUR_BW= Photograph from 1977 production of "The Cherry Orchard"]