Neil Tobin

Neil Tobin (born July 7, 1966) is a performer of magical and psychic entertainment, and a writer on related subjects.

Since his performance material often involves themes of spirit contact—in addition to demonstrations of telepathy, precognition, magic, and even divination—he often performs as "Neil Tobin, Necromancer."

Tobin was born in Chicago, Illinois.

Live Performance

In November and December of 2015, Tobin played the role of Erik Jan Hanussen in the world premiere of his original play, Palace of the Occult. Its first performance was on a Friday the 13th at Chicago's Prop Thtr, and a portion of proceeds benefited the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.[1]

He periodically appears as narrator with live orchestra, performing his original narration for Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf accompanied by magical effects, entitled Peter and the Werewolf.[2]

Starting on Friday the 13th of February 2004, Tobin began performing Supernatural Chicago at the Excalibur nightclub in Chicago. He wrote, produced, directed, and was the sole performer of the show.[3] The show, which was "popular with out-of-towners looking for a Chicago experience" and with "fans of theatrical magic," closed February 28, 2014 after a 10-year run.[4]

Tobin served as Medium of the Houdini Seance at Excalibur nightclub annually from October 2001 to October 2014. This event was presented on behalf of the Chicago Assembly of the Society of American Magicians during the last week of October to commemorate the late magician's death; Houdini helped found the Chicago Assembly in 1919.[5]

For private and corporate engagements, he performs a psychic-themed feature-length show called "A Necromantic Evening." He also entertains as a palmist and tarot reader at cocktail parties.

Performance: Other Media

Tobin has performed on broadcasts for WBEZ-FM, WGN-AM with Jonathon Brandmeier, WCKG-FM, KISS-FM, and WGN-TV (opposite Gary Sinise). He has appeared on "Ghost Adventures" and "Haunted Places" on The Travel Channel, and "Dead Famous" on The History Channel. He can also be seen in the documentary feature "Hearing Is Believing" on the DVD release of the movie White Noise. His original Halloween-themed narrative for Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, entitled Peter and the Werewolf, appears on a CD with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Writing

Tobin is co-writer and editor of Unspeakable Acts: Three Lives and Countless Legends of Tom Palmer/Tony Andruzzi/Masklyn ye Mage, which is available directly from the publisher and at magic shops throughout the world. For the general public, he wrote "Magical History Tour," a temporary exhibit focused on Chicago's contribution to the world of magical performance for the Elmhurst Historical Museum, which ran June 2010–January 2011; it was awarded a Certificate of Excellence from the Illinois Museum Association. He was also a consultant for "Magic," a temporary exhibit running June 2012-January 2013 at the Chicago History Museum. For the trade, Tobin has contributed material to several magicians' publications, including Genii (magazine), M-U-M, Vibrations, Magicol, and Oracle. He has written two plays, in which he has also performed: Palace of the Occult and Supernatural Chicago.

Consulting

Theatre companies have relied on Tobin's expertise to provide technical assistance, design magical sequences, create specialized props, and teach performance techniques to their actors for productions. These include "Ingmar Bergman's The Magician" for National Pastime Theater;[6] and two acclaimed productions at Chicago's Mercury Theater: the Jeff Award-nominated production of "Barnum"[7] and the Jeff Award-winning production of The Addams Family.,.[8]

Affiliations

Neil Tobin is past president for the Chicago Assembly of the Society of American Magicians; in this capacity, he has chaired the Chicago Magic Competition at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, the Chicago History Museum, and a run of five summers at Navy Pier. Additionally, he is a member of the Board of Directors for the Psychic Entertainers Association.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Playwright Enters The Mind of German Psychic in 1933 Berlin from the Chicago Tribune, November 13, 2015
  2. ↑ "Peter and the Werewolf" Kicks Off Orchestra Miami's Family Concerts from the Miami Herald, October 24, 2015
  3. ↑ Haunting Tales Fill Late-Night Haunt from the Chicago Tribune, October 27, 2005
  4. ↑ Spirited "Supernatural" Reaches End of the Line from the Chicago Tribune, February 27, 2014
  5. ↑ news/wgntv-news-102805larrysworld,0,2750659.story?coll=wgntv-morning-news-1 Houdini's Halloween from WGN-TV and Red Eye, October 28, 2005
  6. ↑ The Magician at National Pastime Theater
  7. ↑ 'Necromancer' Neil Tobin Brings Magic to Mercury Theatre's BARNUM, Chicago Broadway World
  8. ↑ http://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/columnists/offbeat/offbeat-with-phil-potempa-mercury-theater-s-addams-family-a/article_ddbc84bb-c49f-56ef-86a7-3743b55dcc76.html
  9. ↑ http://oakpark.suntimes.com/things-to-do/arts/tobin-DIW-02062014:article

Sources

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