Werner Reich - Death Camp Conjuror

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Scott Wells
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Werner Reich - Death Camp Conjuror

Postby Scott Wells » May 16th, 2019, 11:30 am

There is one person at each MagiFest that attracts my attention. I love and enjoy watching the "usual suspects" whom we often see and hear at magic conventions. But Joshua Jay and Andi Gladwin have a way of always finding and attracting that "certain someone" whom I have never seen or may never see again, but I know will be worth the trip to see. This year for me, it was Werner Reich, Auschwitz Concentration Camp Survivor and magician. His on-stage conversation with Josh was moving, emotional, and very inspirational. So, I was anxious to see if he would share a few words and experiences with the podcast listeners. I was thankful that he agreed and we sat down in his room for a quiet one-on-one conversation.

Werner was not a magician in the camps, but he met and was inspired by another prisoner (Levine) who apparently stayed alive by entertaining the SS with magic. He taught Werner a trick that kept his mind occupied during the horrific days in interment. Afterwards, Werner learned magic and developed an interest in mentalism and is now a member of the Psychic Entertainers Association (P.E.A.). He is also one of the subjects in "The Death Camp Magicians" by William Rauscher.

You can see some photos, read the blog, listen online and download the MP3 file at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/sco ... rner-reich

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Ron Giesecke
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Re: Werner Reich - Death Camp Conjuror

Postby Ron Giesecke » May 21st, 2019, 7:54 pm

That was a great podcast, Scott. Thanks for having him.

MagicbyAlfred
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Re: Werner Reich - Death Camp Conjuror

Postby MagicbyAlfred » May 22nd, 2019, 2:21 pm

Scott Wells Wrote: "Werner was not a magician in the camps, but he met and was inspired by another prisoner (Levine) who apparently stayed alive by entertaining the SS with magic. He taught Werner a trick that kept his mind occupied during the horrific days in interment."

It is a moving story. That Levine was able to survive by captivating those otherwise evil SS people with magic is the strongest testament to the power of magic I have ever heard or been aware of. Would have been amazing to witness the performances!

As for Werner, he was fortunate to run across Levine and learn a trick. How many of us, when we've been in a funk or facing some kind of problem (in most cases, paling in comparison to what Werner and Levine faced), have turned to our cards or coins or whatever to find solace in what otherwise can be a crazy and challenging world?

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Werner Reich - Death Camp Conjuror

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 22nd, 2019, 3:18 pm

Levine is The Great Nivelli, someone I saw perform in New York City when I was a kid.
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Jeffrey Cowan
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Re: Werner Reich - Death Camp Conjuror

Postby Jeffrey Cowan » May 22nd, 2019, 10:53 pm

The New York Times did a great feature article on them a few years ago: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/05/nyre ... -play.html

Huffington Post also did an article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/werner-r ... ccounter=1

Props to Scott for ensuring that more magicians learn their story.
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