Notts magicians to take to the stage in memory of conjuror Allen Tipton
MAGICIANS are to take to the stage to perform a charity show in memory of a Notts conjuror.
Former Nottingham Guild of Magicians president Allen Tipton died at his home in Ridsdale Road, Sherwood, last November, aged 79.
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Illusions: Magician Freddie Wilkinson, of Bakersfield, is organising a tribute show in memory of Allen Tipton.
As a mark of respect, a group of magicians that Mr Tipton helped over the years has organised a special show in tribute to him.
Organiser Freddie Wilkinson first met Mr Tipton when his was 15 and turned to him for help when he was starting out as a professional magician aged 18.
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Mr Wilkinson, now 36, of Bakersfield, said: "I met Allen when I joined the Nottingham Guild of Magicians and he took me under his wing.
"He was the nicest guy you would possibly wish to meet. Nothing was too much trouble and he would do anything for you."
Also in the line-up for the tribute show are Notts magicians Marc Oberon, Mark Roberts and Neil Haywood, as well as others from across the UK.
Mr Wilkinson said: "All of the performers were either taught by, helped or just encouraged by Allen over the years and this is their way of saying a little thank-you."
The Magic Show will take place at Arnold's Bonington Theatre on Friday, February 8. All the performers are giving their time and services for free, with profits from the event to be donated to When You Wish Upon a Star, the Old Basford charity that grants wishes to children with serious illnesses.
Mr Wilkinson said: "It seemed an ideal charity, as they help young people achieve their dreams and Allen spent his life doing the same, be it teaching, acting or helping out magicians."
A spokeswoman for When You Wish Upon A Star said: "We are delighted to be chosen as the beneficiary charity of this wonderful tribute evening in memory of Allen Tipton.
"Through his life, Allen inspired and helped young people and in his memory magical experiences and precious memories will continue to be created."
For information on how to donate in memory of Allen Tipton, visit www.whenyou wishuponastar.org.uk or call 0115 979 1720.
Tickets cost £10, with the show starting at 7.30pm. To book, call the theatre box office on 0115 967 0114.
Comments
by fredro
Friday, February 01 2013, 2:26PM
“I'm very sad to hear of Allen Tipton's passing away. I, too, was introduced - but into theatre, not magic - by him. Interested in a flat upstairs, and the landlady living across town, he invited me to look after/listen to his LPs while he went to see her. Thus I discovered 'West Side Story', raved about it, and he invited me to workshops on 'A Place Called Paradise' he was directing for Co-op Arts. To my surprise, I got the Tony/Romeo role - opposite (later, Allen's wife) Barbara Biddulph, and a severe case of theatre-bug, which later led to the Bristol Old Vic and a lecturer post at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (Allen thus further great-godfather to my students, including Dennis Lawson, David Hayman, Ian McDiarmid, Sheena Easton, Bill Paterson and Greg Fisher, to name but a few). His soft-spoken voice and gentle manner had not changed when, after many years, I visited him and Barbara, now in domestic bliss. The magician that he is, I'm sure he's still around somewhere, keeping a kindly eye on the ever-growing (to use the term originally related to Ben Jonson's followers) 'tribe of Allen'. My sympathies and thoughts go with/to Barbara - my first leading lady - at the loss of her, I'm sure, much-missed husband, companion, and (latterly) onstage other-half. I'm sure she has a million happy memories to treasure.”