Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 46 "When I speak with magicians in other states," Eric says, "they react with incredulity when I tell them that I routinely travel more than four hours for a single day's stand. We're what you might call 'high-grass performers'. If someone is throwing a party on their ranch, it's usually hard for them to find entertainment. We'll go, beat down the grass for a tent and stage, and we'll be glad to do it." "Add to that travelling in the winter and I am pretty sure that we shatter the 'performing diva' stereotype," he laughs. ough winter largely signifies the end of their outdoor engage- ments, it does not mean that Butte Magic rests. ey still tour, and put on regular shows at the Mother Lode eater, but winter also means that the troop has a bit more time at home, which James says he uses to improve his technique. Eric, for his part, is helping to build new props with Lord Alden. As for Nelson —- not a fan of snow — when asked for his opinion of winter in Montana, he simply let loose a string of unprintable words. But winter also means more time with friends and loved ones, like Butte magic intern Tristan, who the troop shanghaied from the the- ater for his "ability to play the trombone while dressed as Sasquatch — a hard act to follow," and fellow intern Julie, who in addition to being a jack-of-all-trades within the troop, is Eric's girlfriend, the two having met and fallen for one another at a fencing tournament. ough she is talented and game, Eric says "she refuses to let me cut her in half… maybe she will one of these days." He admits that she "will kill" him if that "makes it into the article, but c'est la vie." As I heard these stories and met these people, I began to see something romantically quixotic about the group. When I had the opportunity to see them perform, they were dressed in 19th century garb, and doing the kinds of tricks that might have amused folks on the dusty streets of Virginia or Nevada City, or old Boze- man, or, of course, Butte. Eric the Excellent laid down on a bed of nails, but not before inviting curious members of the audience to confirm for themselves the solidity, and sharpness, of the hundreds of nails protruding from the board. He rested on it as comfortably as if it were memory-foam. As if that were not enough, he then invited a child from the audience to stand on his chest. A boy of • Outdoor Vistas • Farm Animals as Companions • Gardening Plots • Fishing Pond for Residents • Miniature Golf Course • All-inclusive Pricing heartlandassistedliving.com Heartland Assisted Living On a Working Farm A L L I N S U R A N C E AC C E P T E D 8 8 7 4 U S H I G H WAY 2 1 2 • R O B E R T S , M T 5 9 0 7 0 ( 4 0 6 ) 8 6 1 - 9 5 0 0 F I N D U S O N FAC E B O O K PHOTOGRAPHY BY @MISCONFANPAGE Sir James, Pat Nelson, and Eric the Excellent

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