Lusimus . THE RADLEY BROADSHEET Alexander Downer (1964) There’s a mix of hypnotism to different ends in the pilot. What do you prefer, and what’s the most interesting thing you’ve ever done? Absolutely – the guests on the show are hypnotised to do different things. We have the moderately more sensible element of curing fears but also have a huge amount of fun. Personally it’s the pranks that I most enjoy – getting people to do things they’d never normally dream of doing and having a laugh in the process is, as we young say, ‘dope’. The most interesting, however, was definitely curing someone’s fear. I don’t want to say too much about it as it’s all in the show but that just demonstrates what a powerful thing hypnosis is and how it can be used seriously to have a positive impact on someone’s life. How much set-up did the pranks in the show need? Was it a bit more nerve-wracking to pull off those street stunts? Surprisingly little. Unlike magic, for example, hypnosis requires no sets, gimmicks or Debbie McGees. Just a voice and good training. Having said that there was an incredible production team working on the show who did a huge amount of work behind the scenes. Particularly my makeup artist Nicole, who had one hell of a job! Have you ever had a hypnosis attempt go disastrously wrong? Fortunately nothing major has happened to me – you do hear scare stories of people never waking up but I don’t believe them. I was very nearly expelled from school for hypnotising two friends and making them chase each other. The headmaster sat me down and his first remark was “Archie, don’t hypnotise me during this meeting”. If he had tried to expel me I’d have definitely given it a go.
If E4 order a full series, have you any further ideas for stunts and set-ups you’d like to include? I know everyone says this but I am full of ideas for a series. Just doing one episode made me think of buckets of things we could do. Watch this space... Archie’s publicity material includes the following: Archie’s previous audiences have included most of the Royal Family, David Cameron Brian Moore, Alex Ferguson, Chris Tarrant, Rory Bremner, Jack Dee, Paloma Faith, Ellie Goulding, DJ Fresh, and many other private clients. Performing from Geneva to Guildford, New York to Newbury and Canberra to Chelsea, Archie makes every event that much more special. A member of the Magic Circle, you can be assured that Archie Manners will deliver. Whilst many Magicians perform the same tricks with effortless boredom, Archie’s aim is to make Magic entertaining. Archie’s usual form of magic involves mix and mingling with people, performing close up magic in their hands. Using Cards, Coins, Fire, Sponges, Rope or anything else he can get his hands on he can perform extraordinary things. Further to that Archie can perform a 20 minute stage show Act, well rehearsed from his run at the Edinburgh Festival in 2012, to compliment his round-the-tables closeup magic. This has been phenomenally successful at a variety of larger events.
The Hon. Alexander Downer, the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and one of Australia’s most distinguished politicians and diplomats, spoke to a large audience of Radleians and Dons in September as part of the weekly 6.2 Lecture series. He is shown above in Hall with Hamish Aird and the Senior Prefect, Charles Betton.
Matthew Barzan, United States Ambassador
For more information, a demonstration or informal chat please do get in touch with Archie. He is always happy to meet and give you a demonstration of what he does, with absolutely no obligation. www.archiemanners.com
Archie with Jamie Laing (2002) of ‘Made in Chelsea’ – you can find this on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcvVspSAws4
The Radley Theatre was full for a talk in September by His Excellency, Matthew Barzun, United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, shown above with the Warden, John Moule 13