The College of Magic, the Mother City’s only magical arts organisation, welcomed the Jive Cape Town Funny Festival’s international performers Mooky Cornish and Raymond Raymondson to its sprawling and wondrous Victorian manor in Claremont on Saturday 21 July 2018. 

With it being the first day back at the College of Magic after their winter school holiday, the organisation’s more than 200 students were excited to be re-immersed into their beguiling training which includes lessons in magic and its allied arts of juggling, mime and clowning, puppetry and ventriloquism. The Festival performers’ visit was a thrilling treat for the students! 

Mooky, a Canadian comedienne best known as the former lead clown for the renowned Cirque du Soleil, is a pianist, puppeteer, mask maker, accordion squeezer and chicken trainer!  Frenchman Greg Lackovic, who performs as Raymond Raymondson, began studying the art of magic and illusion at age 14. A gold medalist of the visual arts of the stage and music in 2014, this lauded artist shares his special brand of magic at festivals, cabarets and theatres worldwide. 

After a whirlwind tour, led by the non-profit organisation’s CEO Yolandi van Jaarsveldt, of the College of Magic’s century-old building and facilities which include Africa’s largest magic museum and the Magic Shop, South Africa’s only brick and mortar magical supplies store; the dynamic duo joined the Mime and Clowning, Puppetry and Juggling classes.  Mooky imparted some well-earned tips for entertaining audiences and how to step up a puppetry performance with the learners, while Raymond dazzled them with his gravity-defying juggling feats. 

Celebrating 38 years of teaching the art of magic and its allied arts as well as vital life-skills to children and adults in 2018, the College of Magic, the only organisation of its kind in the world, regularly hosts international artists for visits and guest lectures at its charming Victorian mansion: 

“What an absolute treat for our students to learn from and be inspired by international performers who have achieved immeasurable success in magic and its allied arts of clowning, puppetry, juggling and busking! We truly appreciate the support of the Jive Cape Town Funny Festival and their commitment to having their star global acts visit us each year. Thank you to Mooky and Raymond for sharing their entertainment expertise with us!”, says van Jaarsveldt. 

The Jive Cape Town Funny Festival runs at the Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch until Sunday 5 August, 2018. Please visit www.funnyfestival.co.za for more information about the Festival. 

For more information about the College of Magic, please visit www.collegeofmagic.com or call +27(0)21 683 5480