Historical Magician
Jannes de Goochelaar has been performing magic for the Romans since AD 150, but he's equally at home entertaining audiences in the Middle Ages, the Golden Age and Victorian times. His costumes, props and tricks are all based on historical examples, yet even the sharpest historians are sometimes left scratching their heads.
Jannes works his magic with everyday objects, a piece of rope, or even a 500-year-old bronze ring dug up from the ground. Now that's a little bit of genuine time magic! His coins tell stories about the period his audience has travelled back to. Combining entertainment with education is one of Jannes' specialities. There's usually a joke or two along the way, too.
Mingling with the crowd
With his basket full of tricks on his back, Jannes wanders among the audience, gathering a crowd as he goes. He brings out the child in adults without ever talking down to children.
A 'performance' can be very short: a coin appearing from behind someone's ear, accompanied by a joke and a wink. Or it can grow into a 15–20 minute show, as more and more people gather around.
A full medieval show is also possible. Jannes even has his own medieval stage!
Although based in the Netherlands, Jannes can also perform in English. His Dutch accent comes along for the ride, as do his informal style and the occasional spontaneous joke.
For events, BIG and small
Jannes specialises in family entertainment and particularly enjoys performing at historical events, whether at museums, castles, Roman archaeological sites, heritage events in medieval buildings, exhibitions about the Eighty Years' War or even a Dickens festival.
These are settings where Jannes really comes into his own. But he's just as much at home at cultural festivals, street fairs and shopping centres, as well as at the opening of a new school, company events and weddings.
Jannes is happy to welcome guests as they arrive, or point them in the right direction with an arrow through his head: 'Follow the arrow!'
His trumpet can also be used to announce speakers or declare the buffet open. A little funfare goes a long way!
Magic workshops
Jannes also runs magic workshops for both adults and children. These are often informal sessions after a performance, when he senses that there's interest. But workshops can also be more structured.
At a wedding, for example, the children might learn a few tricks while the adults are still sitting around the table. Sometimes the tables are turned, and the children become the entertainment themselves, eager to amaze the guests just like Jannes.
Jannes also runs workshops for groups of adults. These can work particularly well as a company outing. Jannes talks about the history of magic, performs some tricks, teaches them a few tricks of their own, and finally the groups perform for one another.
Sadly, the Roman Empire fell. The whole Roman Empire? Well, no! IANNVS is still holding out bravely! He performs the sort of conjuring tricks that fooled the Roman emperors, and now you can watch it all unfold right under your imperial nose.
IANNVS even conjures with a few genuine 2,000-year-old Roman sestertii (coins). If that isn't magic, what is?
IANNVS is also happy to explain what a Roman dodecahedron is, although archaeologists today — and, for that matter, scientists the world over — still don't know what these objects were actually used for... A genuine Roman mystery with a magical twist.
Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur. Jannes' magic words. In other words: The world wants to be deceived, so let it be deceived.
Because VENI VIDI FOETSIE — I came, I saw, and your denarius disappeared!
Roman magician
Jannes de Goochelaar is a true wonder-worker from the late Middle Ages. Alchemy? Witchcraft? There's no need to worry! Quite the opposite: this friendly medieval magician produces one little marvel after another from up his sleeve. He travels from place to place with his basket on his back, presenting one wonder after another with a friendly manner and a good dose of comedy. He creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels at home.
Thanks to his knowledge of everyday life in the Middle Ages, Jannes brings the period to life in a way that feels completely natural and convincing. But above all, this is an act bursting with fun.
His costumes, props and tricks are all based on historical examples, but even the sharpest historian will be left scratching their head. The magic of the past, performed right under your very (deceived) nose.
Jannes is also happy to point visitors in the right direction: 'Follow the arrow!' Even spectators flocking to watch medieval battles get expertly directed with a sword through his body. After all, he's just been there himself!
Medieval magician
Jannes appears as a magician from the late 16th or 17th century. This act is a perfect fit for the many historic buildings found across Europe, and also works wonderfully at events centred around battles from the Eighty Years' War.
From the annual 1 April celebrations in Jannes' own hometown of Brielle, commemorating the capture of the town in 1572, to exhibitions of Rembrandt's work, archaeological excavations or simply a street fair in a historic town, Jannes feels right at home.
Golden Age magician
Jannes is a Victorian magician from around 1850. This makes him a natural fit for winter events, Dickens festivals and Christmas markets. His costume is based on a drawing by the famous Dutch artist Anton Pieck.
As a classic magician in a top hat and smart suit, Jannes produces one little marvel after another from up his sleeve. With his friendly manner and gentle humour, he creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels at home, from street urchins to factory directors.
This act is, of course, perfect for Dickens festivals and Christmas events. Jannes usually has to be careful not to make too much of a show of his coin tricks. Before you know it, Scrooge has pinched his money! But look — even without Scrooge, the coin has suddenly vanished.
Victorian magician
A beautiful medieval stage sets the scene, complete with enchanting lighting and sound.
In this theatrical show, Jannes tells the story of how he learned magic from his great-great-grandfather, the Great Enchanter. We encounter invisible medieval playing cards, and a little fairy from the audience helps a bush thief get away with a bush. Of course, Jannes fills the show with baffling medieval magic for young and old alike, with plenty of audience participation.
This family show was specially developed for schools, community centres and museums, but it can also be performed at medieval events, provided there is an indoor space available, preferably one that can be darkened. A monastery attic or a castle cellar would be ideal!
Each performance can accommodate up to 200 people. The show lasts around 30 minutes and can be performed several times.
Costumes from either the 14th or 15th century are available for this show.
Stage show
'The Magic of the Middle Ages'
Especially developed for the Dutch archeological theme park Archeon and its winter programme, Jannes created two exclusive shows: 'Tijdtovenarij' (Time-twisting magic) and 'Geheim in het Klooster' (A Secret in the Monastery). Both shows are in Dutch.
The shows take place in the magnificent medieval monastery's large upper hall. One year it's 'Tijdtovenarij', the next it's 'Geheim in het klooster'. Both shows feature plenty of lighting and sound, using the latest technology.
More information about the shows:
