Psychology major uses studies in magic shows From page $ shows has been that of wife. girifrie:.d or glamorous assistant. Although she does wear a tux- edo for her stage shows (‘it’s comfortable and professional’’), Thulin says she tries to do magic acts that are *‘feminine’’, listing as examples tricks that incorporate flowers, silks and a parasol. The Capilano Highlands resident first started learning about magic when she was nine years old. A year later, she made her first pro- fessional appearance — at a birth- day party — and there was no looking back. In her early years as a magician, Thulin was a member of the Dogwood Mystics, a club that practised magic and exchanged trade secrets. When the club fold- ed, Thulin was left on her own. The only other magicians’ organization was the Vancouver Magic Circle, but until a few years ago, membership was available to men only. ‘‘Being a female magi- cian is very difficult,” she com- mented. ‘‘It’s very political."* Thulin says she did receive great support from parents Dennis and Edith Thulin right from the begin- ning, with her mother reading magic books out loud to her while she practised the tricks at the kitchen table before school. Thulin is currently doing two to three shows per week, averaging 60 performances per ycar. She offers two different shows, a full-length magic performance to music that can be adapted to in- clude audience participation, and a children’s show which features a large amount of participation, balloon animals and other take- home treats. She is also hired to circulate at grand openings and shopping malls, handing out her 30 different balloon animals. Whatever setting she finds herself in, Thulin puts on a per- formance that both she and her Brigadoon Bakery |Producis now available Ad expires Aug. 6th/88 audience have fun with. **A good magician not only fools people, but entertains them as well,” she said. During her stage shows, Thulin performs what she calls ‘‘clean’’ magic. Her. act, which includes pulling a.cane out of the air and making a silk handkerchief appear in a previously empty balloon, is executed without any special trick equipment. — Thulin’s favorite trick is linking up steel rings '‘— a relatively com- mon trick, but one she has been perfecting for 10 years and says she does ‘‘beautifully.”’ As well as remaining busy pro- fessionally, Thulin is also a full- time UBC student and will be graduating next year with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. She plans to eventually obtain a masters in counselling psychology. Her studies help with her magic show, she says, because the per- formance of magic’ involves perception and misdirection and “‘a magician has to be able to understand people and their age abilities.”* Sometimes, however, school and the stage come in direct conflict, especially around Christmas — a popular entertaining time, but also her final exam period. While Thulin says her future plans are still unclear, she definite- ly doesn’t want to give up magic for good, but would like to per- form on a part-time basis. ‘‘Hope- fully, Ill have ai flexible employer."* Thulin performs for companies, clubs, schools, stores and birthday parties, and prides herself on “‘delivering quality at a reasonable price.”° For further information, call Thulin at 988-7085. ‘til end of August, hurry for besi selection | Biring Shoes & Accessories | 3028 Edgemont Blvd. Edgemont Village, N.V. 988-5030 LACK FOREST § 499 CHAM Sliced Side BACON PORK TENDERLOIN HINDS, SIDES & LOINS, plus $949) $549 . FREEZE PAKS AVAILABLE. iGreg’s Quality Meats 3127, Edgemont Blvd. North-Van 988-6328 (MEAT) A CUT ABOVE AVERAGE 7 ~ Wednesday, August 3, 1988 - Capitzne Chronicle