Paul Romhany (born 25 October 1968) is a New Zealand-born magician best known for his Charlie Chaplin magic act. He has been awarded many industry awards including the PCAM Gold Medal and the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Top Variety Act award. Paul has entertained the royal family of Monaco, performed at the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, and appeared in over 100 countries.
Biography
Paul Romhany was born in 1968 in Auckland, New Zealand. At the age of eight he saw his first Charlie Chaplin film, The Circus, attended a live magic show, and became interested in ventriloquism. He joined the Shore City Magicians Club, a magic club with a focus on youth. At the age twelve Paul won his first talent quest and began to perform semi-professionally.
He graduated from Auckland University with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1990 and a Diploma in Teaching from Auckland Teachers Training College in 1991.
Paul's first break in showbusiness came when he toured New Zealand and Australia as part of the World Festival of Magic show alongside American performers Chuck Jones and Ricki Dunn, who became a lifelong friend and mentor.
After many years of experimenting with different performing styles and characters Paul decided to concentrate on a Charlie Chaplin silent magic act, for which he has become internationally known.
Paul has written over 24 books, including a best-selling book for the general public on cat readings. Paul releases a new book each month as part of his Pro-Series range of books for magicians. He has released over fifty original magic effects and routines, ranging from close-up to stage. He regularly lectures to magic clubs, and consults for magicians for both television and stage.
In 2012 he created 'Vanish' magazine, a free downloadable trade magazine for magicians. 'Vanish' is read by over 80,000 magicians worldwide.
In June 2013 VanishLive was launched. VanishLive is a daily roundup of magic news from around the globe plus articles and reviews of magic products, tricks, DVDs etc.
In October 2015 Paul Romhany was presented with the Grand Master of Magic Award, the highest honour for a New Zealand magician.
Awards and honours
2015 Grand Master of Magic Award, New Zealand's highest honour for a magician
2014 Robert Houdin Award, presented by Stevens Magic Emporium, Kansas, March 2013 2012 Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Top Variety Act 2003 PCAM Gold Medal, People's Choice Award 1992 Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Rising Star Award
Publications
The Real Deal - 2012
Flown Away - 2012
How To Tell Anybody's Personality By The Way They Laugh And Speak - 2011
Briefcase Illusion - 2011
Top Ten Travel Picks - 2011
Performing Mentalism for Young Minds Vl. 2 - 2011
Mental Epic Compendium - 2010
Extreme Magic MakeOver - 2010
Performing Mentalism for Young Minds Vl. 1- 2010
Magic from Down Under - 2009
Lunch Is Served - 2009
Extreme Magic Makeover - 2009
Entertaining On a Cruise Ship - Edition 1 - 2008
Laughter in the Workplace - 2008
Secrets of a Walk About Ventriloquist - 2004
Pawmistry - 1998
Pro-Series Books :
SwitchBoard Clipboard
Winning Numbers
Multiplying Bottles
Signed Card on Blue Stake
Bearly Impossible
Bill 2 Can
Color Change Hanky
Headline Prediction
Orange, Lemon, Egg & Canary
Six Card Repeat
DVDs :
Multiplying Bottles with DVD and Audio CD
Romhany On Stage
Lunch Date
Minuette Aces
References
External links
Paul Romhany Official Website
Vanish Magazine
Paul Romhany Interview on Talk Magic, June 2021
Paul Romhany - Revolutionizing Live Performance and the Online Magazine, The Variety Artist Podcast, December 2018 Romhany Report Blog Interview with The Magic Convention Guide, 2009 iTricks Feature Article