On the 19th May Bertie Pearce will entertain us with his talk on ‘Creating an Imaginary World’ Theatrical scene design is one of the world’s most beautiful, varied and lively art forms. Bertie looks at the relationship between actor and audience and how this transformed the space and architecture of theatre throughout the ages. Beginning with the Greeks and their remarkable innovations to pageants, masques and liturgical drama, through the science of perspective to court theatre, then a quick glance at Commedia dell’arte before entering the Elizabethan stage of the Globe ad The Fortune, arriving at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. From great architects such as Inigo Jones and Frank Matcham to practictioners such as Granville Barker and Gordon Craig and designers Cecil Beaton and Oliver Messel, Bertie brings to life the magical world of theatre.
Biog: Bertie Pearce is a Member of The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star. He has performed all over the world in weird and wonderful places including: The Magic Castle in Hollywood; The Kulm Hotel in St Moritz and The Bertie and Boo Cafe in Balham,London. His ‘Soiree Fantastique’ Show at The Magic Circle in 1999 was a sell out and in 2003 he put on “All Aboard – The Comedy of Cruising” at The Bridewell Theatre in London which sold out for 11 nights. In 2008 he performed with his sister Boo in
‘A Spoonful of Magic’ at The Polka Theatre in Wimbledon and this was followed by Bertie and Boo’s “Wonders of The World’ Show which played at the Brighton Festival Fringe.
He is widely sought after for close-up magic and cabarets for private parties and fundraisers. In 2003 he was awarded the Carlton Comedy Award by the Magic Circle and twice won the award for Originality from The International Brotherhood of Magicians which won’t surprise anyone who has seen his act.
He inherited a fascination with conjuring from his maternal Grandfather Charles Derek Hill who was a classic amateur conjurer of his day, building illusions at the family firm, Higgs and Hill. Equipped with a BA(Hons) in drama from Manchester University, Bertie went on to the Ecole Internationale du Theatre Jaques Lecoq in Paris. After a summer season in Jersey and two pantomimes he served time on the Cruise Ships for four years. His eyes were opened to the wonders of world travel and some unbelievable passengers which provided the material for his show All Aboard. In 2009 Bertie became an accredited Nadfas Lecturer and has toured extensively sharing his passion for Magic, Punch and Judy, Victorian Pastimes and Charles Dickens. His love of people and performance ensures that there is always a new and exciting gig around the corner.
Aside from performing Bertie loves the calm of the Sussex countryside where he has lived all his life. He loves gardening, forestry, making things and is very involved in his local church All Saints Church Crowborough. He is married and has two children, six light sussex chickens, two pigs and a border terrier called Buttons.
