Sue-Anne Webster

Sue-Anne Webster
Born
Sydney, Australia
Occupation(s)Magician, illusionist, publisher, producer
SpouseGeoffrey McSkimming (author)
Websitewww.9diamondspress.com/magic

Sue-Anne Webster is an Australian magician, actor and writer who has been recognised internationally for her contributions to the art of magic.

Biography

Sue-Anne Webster trained as an actor at The Australian Playhouse Studio and The Actor's Centre in Sydney, and was Assistant Director at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation[1] for programs including Beatbox and the mini-series Tusitala.,[2] She has performed as an actor on television programs including Real Life, The Masters, and several television commercials. She has performed as an illusionist on television programs including The Price Is Right, Location Location Amazing Homes, StarStruck, Today, Mornings with Kerri-Anne, Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton, Fox Morning News (USA), Top Billing (South Africa), The 23rd FISM World Championships of Magic Stockholm 2006 (UK), WB Kids, ETV (Hong Kong), and Nadia Tass's Australian feature film Matching Jack (2010).

Theatrical and magical shows which Sue-Anne Webster has created and directed include: Cunning Stunts, Dreams & Illusions, Magic Unlimited's Best Show Ever, Wizards of Aus, Illusionarium,[3] and Private Eye.[4]

In addition, Webster is one of two living Australian magicians to be included in the book Dictionnaire de la Prestidigitation[5] covering the world history of the art of magic, and is the only Australian to be included in Historias de Magas Antiguas y Modernas, an international history book of prominent female magicians throughout history.[6] Webster is founder and first president of the Australian Institute of Magic.

In 2001, Sue-Anne Webster and Tim Ellis[7] were voted Most Valuable Performers by their peers at the close up magic convention Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic in Batavia, New York.[8] In 2005 was the duo were nominated Lecturers of the Year by The Academy of Magical Arts at The Magic Castle in Hollywood.

Webster has frequently worked as a consultant on magic for television including The Panel and Blue Heelers.

Author

From 2010 to 2012, Webster wrote a regular magic column in the NSW School Magazine, the oldest literary magazine for children in the world. Her writings in the magic world include contributions to Magic Magazine and Genii.[9] She has also had many articles published in New Idea, Reader's Digest, That's Life! and Australian Geographic.[10]

I Dream of Jeannie

Webster is also the official I Dream of Jeannie 'Jeannie' lookalike for www.IDreamOfJeannie.com and is recognised internationally for her uncanny characterisation.[11] In 2009, she presented an 'I Dream of Jeannie Tribute Show' at the Melbourne Magic Festival.[12]

Theatre

She premiered two shows in 2008, one for The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Illusionarium with Ellis & Webster[13] and The Wizards of Aus[14] at The Melbourne Magic Festival, and many more shows including Ellis in Wonderland (2009), Illusionarium 2010 and I Dream of Jeannie solo (2010), Once Upon A Time..., and Secrets (2011), Phyllis Wong and the Forgotten Secrets of Mr Okyto magic performances at promotional appearances with author and husband Geoffrey McSkimming.

Awards and honours

  • Queen's Scout Award (1981)[15]
  • Nominated Lecturers of the Year (with Tim Ellis) - The Magic Castle, Hollywood (2005)
  • Guinness World Record (with team of Melbourne magicians) - World's Longest Magic Show, 75 hours (2004)[16][17]
  • Best Stage Magic Act in Australia - National Australian Magic Convention (2004)[18]
  • Most Valuable Participants (with Tim Ellis) - Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic, New York (2001)[19]
  • Silver Medal, Stage Magic - National Australian Magic Convention (1999)[20]
  • Best Actress Award, Ignite Film Festival (2008)
  • Best Actress Award, Ignite Film Festival (2010)

Published works

  • AMM 2000 - Monthly National Magazine, Co Editor with Tim Ellis(2000)
  • Ellis in Wonderland - Lecture Notes (2000)
  • 24 Years of Living Next Door to Ellis (2001)
  • Have You Ever Thought About School Tours? - Lecture Notes (2001)

Videos & DVDs

References

  1. ^ Horgan, Brendan (2006). Radio With Pictures pp. 84–85. Sydney, Australia: Lothian. ISBN 978-0-7344-0870-9.
  2. ^ Lundquist, Patterson. "Sue-Anne Webster". Profile. I Dream of Jeannie.com. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  3. ^ Crowley, Caitlin (26 March 2008). "Illusionarium with Ellis and Webster". Melbourne International Comedy Festival Review. The Groggy Squirrel. Archived from the original on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  4. ^ "Private Eye". Show Listing. The Age Melbourne Fringe Festival 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  5. ^ DeMerry, Jean (2006). Dictionnaire de la Prestidigitation. Paris: Editions Georges Proust. ISBN 2-913505-22-8.
  6. ^ Navarro, Gema (2007). Historias de Magas Antiguas y Modernas. Spain: Florence Art Edizioni. ISBN 978-84-931508-5-3.
  7. ^ Linnell, Garry (2002). The Two of Us. Melbourne, Australia: Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-300069-1.
  8. ^ O’Brien, Obie. "Lou Gallo MVP Award Winners". Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic. FFFF. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  9. ^ Unwin, Mat (September 2007). "Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster in their words". Magic Magazine Pp. 46–51. Las Vegas: Stan Allen.
  10. ^ Simmonds, Diana (1 July 2009). "Disappearing Act". Feature Article. Australian Geographic. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  11. ^ Lundquist, Patterson. "Sue-Anne Webster". Profile. I Dream of Jeannie.com. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  12. ^ "Melbourne Magic Festival 2009 Listing". Official Site. AIM. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  13. ^ Crowley, Caitlin (26 March 2008). "Illusionarium with Ellis and Webster". Melbourne International Comedy Festival Review. The Groggy Squirrel. Archived from the original on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  14. ^ Davidson, Erin (23 September 2008). "The Wizards of Aus". Theatre Review. The Groggy Squirrel. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  15. ^ "Famous Scouts – Sue-Anne Webster". Profile. Scouts Australia. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  16. ^ "Magicians Conjure Record Attempt". The Age. Fairfax Digital Media. 5 April 2004. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  17. ^ Quinlan, Tim (28 March 2005). "Longest Magic Show Honor Belongs in Melbourne". Inside Magic: Magic News Updated Daily for the Professional Magician. Inside Magic. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  18. ^ "Australian Magic Conventions". Blog. Magic Unlimited. 2 May 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  19. ^ O’Brien, Obie. "Lou Gallo MVP Award Winners". Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic. FFFF. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  20. ^ "Australian Magic Conventions". Blog. Magic Unlimited. 2 May 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2009.