A".

"It was quite a sight watching all
these professionals in their white jack-
ets twisting and turning ropes and
rubber bands as the instruction tran-
scended the language barrier," said
Copperfield.
"Nothing I do is more important to
me than Project Magic, and I would
hope the concept of charitable giving
is something that would inspire both
young and old alike to take action in
their lives."
Copperfield's absorption with mag-
ic has prompted him to establish a
repository of antiquarian props and
books, items he obtained by buying ccil-
lections and individual finds. The In-
ternational Museum and Library of the
Conjuring Arts, located in Nevada, is
open to scholars on request.

Opposite page: The average time for
illusion development is two years.

Below: Some illusions represent pleasant
"Dreams," and others represent the
darker side of life, or "Nightmares."

A different kind of find for the illu- joying our engagement time together,"
sionist came in the form of writing — he said. "She is often at the shows and
watches from the
his own short story for
first row or in the
Tales
of
the anthology
wings.
the Impossible.
"Fortunately, be-
His piece, entitled
cause we both
"Snow," relates to a
control, to a large ex-
childhood fascination
tent, our schedules,
with snow as its natur-
we block out our re-
al magic changed the
spective calendars
appearance of the out-
for time together
doors. That fascination
away from work."
stayed with him and
Before Copperfield
materialized in an illu-
takes
the stage at
sion for his act.
the Palace, his crew
While Copperfield's
will arrange an inti-
personal history in-
mate setting with
cludes being raised in a
the use of curtains,
Jewish household, he
lights and space lim-
has not held on to the
itations.
traditions. His main fo-
"This is an excit-
cus offstage is model
ing
time for the art
Claudia Schiffer, his fi-
David Copperfield: "It is the
of
magic,"
he said.
ancee.
magician, above all other theatrical
"People forget that
"Claudia and I have and performing artists, who must
magic is the oldest of
carry the torch of wonder."
been delighted to be en-

the performing arts. It caters to
the spirit of reverence and mystery,
and it is the magician, above all
other theatrical and performing
artists, who must carry the torch of
wonder.
"I believe that no matter the stage
and no matter the trick — from the
vanishing pebble to the disappearing
Statue of Liberty - - magicians through
the ages have instilled in wide-eyed
children and even their jaded elders
an almost lost-childhood sense of dis-
covery.
"I am proud to be a part of it and,
therefore, feel a sense of duty in pre-
serving its artifacts for future genera-
tions."

❑

ft David Copperfield performs 6 and
9 p.m. Saturday, March 22, and
12:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sun-
day, March 23, at the Palace of
Auburn Hills. For information, call
(810) 377-0100.

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