I had the privilege of meeting Ali Bongo at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas in 2006. I was practicing some scarf magic in one of the Orleans Hotel corridors, during some downtime and he came out of a lecture he had just given, en route to another. He stopped and watched me, then wanted me to show him my techniques, which he said he hadn't seen before! Then, he taught me a few scarf tricks of his own! That 15 min. period of "sessioning" we did I will remember for the rest of my life! RIP Ali
And don't forget Ali Bongo was the magical genius behind both Jonathan Creek and the brilliant Ace of Wands! RIP Ali - the world is a little bit duller without you!
I remember Ali Bongo performing at George Dixon Junior school. I was sitting on the floor about two rows back from the front as I was quite little. Im 56 now and 6 foot, lol. Where have the years gone.
when I was a little bastard, Ali was on TV all the time, and I couldn't wait for his acts to end, coz I was a little bastard, but watching this now as a 56 year old, it's made me laugh and realise what a funny and talented dude he was, similar to Charlie Chaplain, never understood him when I was a little bastard too, but later on, realised how brilliant he was, age is wisdom as they say.
Thanks for the post- what a great man & magician- advisor to the greats inc. Copperfield Daniels & Nixon. I remember his kid's Saturday morning show which inspired me to try a bit of conjuring myself (with limited success!) But what an inspiration. Sympathy to all his family and followers
The GREATEST magical entertainer and Inventor of modern times. aka David Nixon/ Paul Daniels. A true STAR OF STARS!!!! Nobody told me, I just found out by chance. RIP Alister. You and Cyril with have your work cut out Harvey. (Prince Karim/ Knight & Daye)
A wonderful act ..... I had the joy of seeing him perform this live at the Greenwich theatre ... I bet he was exhausted after he did this routine ... Thanks for posting.
Used to watch this on a Saturday mornng,along with Top Of The Pops,in our boarding school senior common room at Eltham. He went to Sutton Valence,who we played at cricket :)
+skawashers It wasn't bad in the late 60's. It seemed quite rural then, almost. The school was in Mottingham, and adjoined the old Lewisham Hospital grounds, which had reverted to nature. There seemed to be lots of trees around, and we'd see foxes coming out of the woods in the early morning. We used to catch voles and feild mice, stag beetles and all manner of creatures around there back then. Biggin Hill was nearby too, so we could watch the Red Arrows practicing their aerobatics.
+Steve Reekie It isnt like that anymore... Ive Lived all around that area. starting at Joydens wood where i grew up . Now living around abbey wood . So not moved too far away from where i was Born
Wow! so energetic! Never seen him perform this act. Incredible. Total commitment to character. I have learned of his many contributions to magic and seen him only with other performers on stage until now thanks for posting this. I perform magic shows for children and I am truly inspired. All the tricks he performed in this act were fast and visual too. Some very simple but funny and visual. He combined the tricks in the act so well to. True Genius.
One of the biggest illusions he pulls off is that you almost think you are looking at "end of the pier" stuff. Whereas in reality, the timing, technical brilliance and sheer energy is almost too much to take in. The attention to detail is amazing. Thanks for posting this , I became aware of Mr. Bongo through his appearances on a TV show called Zokko.
Anyone remember 'Murray' with a Little magic shop opposite the ABC theatre stage door? Sixty tricks in sixty seconds? Australian Illusionist. Invisible Ray & Mascar?
I had the privilege of meeting Ali Bongo at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas in 2006. I was practicing some scarf magic in one of the Orleans Hotel corridors, during some downtime and he came out of a lecture he had just given, en route to another. He stopped and watched me, then wanted me to show him my techniques, which he said he hadn't seen before! Then, he taught me a few scarf tricks of his own! That 15 min. period of "sessioning" we did I will remember for the rest of my life! RIP Ali
What a wonderful memory of Ali Bongo How Lovely!
Nice. Thank you for sharing.👍
Used to love Ali Bongos Cartoon Carnival on BBC 1 .I was about 7 at the time 🎆💥⭐⚡
How could anyone give that a thumbs down. Brings back memories of when I was a lot younger....
And don't forget Ali Bongo was the magical genius behind both Jonathan Creek and the brilliant Ace of Wands! RIP Ali - the world is a little bit duller without you!
I remember Ali Bongo performing at George Dixon Junior school. I was sitting on the floor about two rows back from the front as I was quite little. Im 56 now and 6 foot, lol. Where have the years gone.
A very sad day, seeing Ali Bongo at a xmas kids party is one of my earliest memories.
A wonderful magician. God bless him. R.I.P.🌹🌹🌹🌹
Sad news indeed.......Used to love him as a kid when he did Saturday morning tv..
:-(
when I was a little bastard, Ali was on TV all the time, and I couldn't wait for his acts to end, coz I was a little bastard, but watching this now as a 56 year old, it's made me laugh and realise what a funny and talented dude he was, similar to Charlie Chaplain, never understood him when I was a little bastard too, but later on, realised how brilliant he was, age is wisdom as they say.
Thanks for the post- what a great man & magician- advisor to the greats inc. Copperfield Daniels & Nixon. I remember his kid's Saturday morning show which inspired me to try a bit of conjuring myself (with limited success!) But what an inspiration. Sympathy to all his family and followers
Wow that was some great stage presence!
R.I.P. Ali - one of the greats.
FAB :)
Thanks for posting that, my eyes are streaming with laughter, He was a genius,,, End of another chapter. Bless him.
A Leyend...We are going to miss him...
Seeing Ali live at the 1976 Houdini Club of Wisconsin Convention is one of my fondest memories. Could that man move!
The GREATEST magical entertainer and Inventor of modern times.
aka David Nixon/ Paul Daniels.
A true STAR OF STARS!!!!
Nobody told me, I just found out by chance. RIP Alister.
You and Cyril with have your work cut out
Harvey. (Prince Karim/ Knight & Daye)
brilliant. we'll all miss him, especially people like me who met him on several occasions
Ali Bongo was the Magical Adviser for the cult TV Ace Of Wands, Dr Who, The David Nixon Magic Show and Jonathan Creek.
A wonderful act ..... I had the joy of seeing him perform this live at the Greenwich theatre ... I bet he was exhausted after he did this routine ... Thanks for posting.
RIP Ali Bongo~
Thanks for posting. I sad sad loss but his creativing will ensure his legacy as a giant of magic.
Used to watch this on a Saturday mornng,along with Top Of The Pops,in our boarding school senior common room at Eltham. He went to Sutton Valence,who we played at cricket :)
+Steve Reekie boarding school in eltham. Its hardly a Picturesque area
+skawashers It wasn't bad in the late 60's. It seemed quite rural then, almost. The school was in Mottingham, and adjoined the old Lewisham Hospital grounds, which had reverted to nature. There seemed to be lots of trees around, and we'd see foxes coming out of the woods in the early morning. We used to catch voles and feild mice, stag beetles and all manner of creatures around there back then. Biggin Hill was nearby too, so we could watch the Red Arrows practicing their aerobatics.
+Steve Reekie It isnt like that anymore...
Ive Lived all around that area. starting at Joydens wood where i grew up .
Now living around abbey wood . So not moved too far away from where i was Born
Wow! so energetic! Never seen him perform this act. Incredible. Total commitment to character. I have learned of his many contributions to magic and seen him only with other performers on stage until now thanks for posting this. I perform magic shows for children and I am truly inspired. All the tricks he performed in this act were fast and visual too. Some very simple but funny and visual. He combined the tricks in the act so well to. True Genius.
Rest in peace Ali you will be missed so much from the magic community.
RIP Ali Bongo!
Thanks for posting. A great memory of one amazing man. Goodbye Ali, the likes of whom will never be seen again :-(
A Manic Genius.
One of the biggest illusions he pulls off is that you almost think you are looking at "end of the pier" stuff. Whereas in reality, the timing, technical brilliance and sheer energy is almost too much to take in. The attention to detail is amazing.
Thanks for posting this , I became aware of Mr. Bongo through his appearances on a TV show called Zokko.
@gonzalomagic The music is a jazzy version of "In a Persian Market" by the light music compser Albert William Ketelbey.
Indeed it was and very fitting.
i wish i met hin he is so good
I have but One Comment.
Class! Pure Class! Nothing more nothing less.
Just.... "CLASS" ! :)
thankyou
Should have been of the Gong Show
how fun :D
I do seem to remember he always had a couple of slots on a Saturday morning BBC kids show but I can't remember what it was.
Ali Bongo's Cartoon Carnival? I'm looking for videos of it with no luck to date.
wow
He had more magic in his little finger than the Magic Dwarf Danial's! and Nixon.
I am looking for the Balloon trick,
Anyone remember 'Murray' with a Little magic shop opposite the ABC theatre stage door? Sixty tricks in sixty seconds? Australian Illusionist. Invisible Ray & Mascar?
i thought he was a scouser
Very entertaining . If you're five
😂
This dude would be cancelled in 2021, just for those slitty eyed glasses alone.
RIP Ali Bongo!