RIP Bruno Hennig - Joro

[Zig Zagger]

Magicians in Germany and beyond are mourning the loss of Bruno Hennig, who passed away on September 6, 2023 at the age of 95. Internationally known for his "Joro Switch" of a folded playing card and his "Dancing and Floating Cork" made famous by Fred Kaps, he was a respected and beloved member of the magic community for about 70 (!) years.

In the 1950s, he became well known as "Joro, the Chatty Magician" through a number of early TV appearances, although he never turned pro. He was the first magician in Germany to come up with the idea of turning the well-known Finger Cutter into a full-fledged stage illusion to cut through the arm of a lady from the audience. His guillotine routine soon became one of the most copied acts ever in this country.

Since Joro didn’t speak English, his sphere and fame remained mostly limited to the German-speaking countries. But there are at least three more routines that define his approach to magic and his legacy, and they would surely deserve an international audience, too:

His "100% Prediction" ("Hundertprozentige Vorhersage") comes pretty close to the perfect card trick; in a variation with written messages from the audience thrown onto the stage it has already found its way into many mentalists‘ programs.

Joro’s "Ring Mess" ("Ringdurcheinander") is a slightly bizarre double ring transposition that includes two ring switches (one with a wand, the other with a ring case) that are as clever, easy and versatile as the "Joro Switch" and thus are well worth checking out for any ring performer.

Finally, Joro’s "Grand Coin Transposition" ("Grandiose Münzwanderung") is one of the best audible effects I know of in all of magic. Based on Patrick Page’s clever "Money Bag", several coins travel invisibly from one bag into another and land inside a glass with a loud „clink“. (This is so magical that even kids applaud spontaneously here!)

Beyond these signature pieces he has authored a few books and hundreds of articles, mostly improving or streamlining effects with simple means to maximum effect. He also neatly built all the props and gimmicks he needed by himself.

Thank you, Joro, for all your clever and entertaining magic, and rest in peace!

[Richard Kaufman]

I would like to see printed descriptions of the three best items you cite, possibly for inclusion in Greater Magic.

[Brad Henderson]

His classic card switch should definitely be in GM - it has become the basis of so much work since then

[Richard Kaufman]

Brad, do you mean with the box?

[Brad Henderson]

Yes. The shuttle pass-container based switch

[Brad Henderson]

Ab Dickson taught a great application with this technique.

[Krenz]

I wish I could have met him in person.

Back in the 80's, Jay Marshall loaned me his copy of the Linking Ring that had Bruno's work in it. Very inspiring.

When I did my Penguin lecture, his student contacted me, and told me that Bruno was happy with my work on his routine. He sent a photo, which I treasure.



It hurts to hear that he has passed.

[Zig Zagger]

I would like to see printed descriptions of the three best items you cite, possibly for inclusion in Greater Magic.

I'll be happy to dig them out and send them to you, Richard!

[Zig Zagger]

Yes. The shuttle pass-container based switch

According to Wittus Witt, Bruno Hennig performed his "Card in Box" and what would become the Joro Switch for the first time over a morning beer with Kalanag and Fred Kaps in Cologne on April 20, 1958. Kaps then asked for permission to perform this piece, too. The rest is history.

[Philippe Billot]

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3930&p=42412&hilit=Kaiserhof#p42412

Here you have J.C. Klein-Henning's testimony about The Card to Box method. He is Bruno Henning's grandson.

[Zig Zagger]

Thank you, Philippe, I hadn't been aware of that old post! That's very much in line with what Joro told Wittus Witt many years later.

Please note that the correct spelling is Hennig, not Henning. (A recurrent slip, as the name Henning is much more common.)

[Philippe Billot]

OK. Thank you Zig Zagger

[Paco Nagata]

Looking for information about him, I found this interesting interview on YouTube.
It's in German, but I found out that in YouTube settings you can get subtitles in English.
During the interview he talks about interesting things like how he took up Magic...

https://youtu.be/51YXoO-kV6c?si=7FYCs8QZ1jutlGld

[Krenz]

…I found this…

Nice find! Thanks for sharing it Paco!

[Paco Nagata]

You're very Welcome, Krenz! ^_^