How René Frotscher came to be working his magic in Munich
René Frotscher has an authentically British accent—and the deadpan humor to match. But, he is actually German. This is easily explained by the fact that, although his early kindergarten years were spent in Germany, his parents, whom he describes as “late hippies,” relocated to London in 1975. Frotscher’s first recollection of the hobby that would later become his career was watching a magician perform at a children’s birthday party. It excited his curiosity enough for him to spend his pocket money on Paul Daniels magic cards, and for his uncle, a puppeteer, to send magic kits from East Germany. He later took magic lessons at school as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. With so much on offer in London, Frotscher’s father often took him to magic shows and circuses and he recalls seeing The Great Soprendo, Marcel Marceau, the Great Kovari, Alan Shaxon and Popov the Clown, amongst others. He also joined the meetings of an independent magic club in north London, the enticingly named Grand Order of Wizardry. After beginning his A-levels in London, Frotscher’s father decided that it was time to transfer back to Germany, and before you could say abracadabra, they were living in Munich and Frotscher was struggling with the German education system. One and a half years and little progress later, it was back to London. While this short stint in Munich did nothing for Frotscher’s formal education, he learned valuable life lessons, had a great time partying and gained essential work experience at a magic show called Zauber Zauber, which came to the Deutsches Theater for a month. Here, Frotscher worked as a strolling magician—greeting and entertaining the audience as they arrived. Watching the show and performing to the general public every night gave his motivation such a boost that he was determined to get more active in the magic world on his return to London. And, true to his word, it was not long before Frotscher had become a member of The Magic Circle aged just 17. Back in London, Frotscher passed his A-levels and went on to study at Thames Valley University. He took a degree in Applied Language Studies, which consisted of French, Spanish and Latin American politics. In his third year, he studied in Toulouse and Buenos Aires, which meant that returning to London for the final year was an inevitable struggle—perhaps something to do with the dismal weather and lack of Latin flair. But life was never boring. Frotscher funded his studies by taking on weird and wonderful magic jobs, such as working between a belly dancer and a plate smasher at a Greek taverna, on a Thames riverboat and at college balls. Due to an upcoming world magic convention in Yokohama, Frotscher developed a serious interest in Japan. In his typically quiet yet ambitious way, he took an intensive Japanese course alongside his final-year degree work. Around this time he was introduced to a Japanese student whose father owned a private kindergarten in Osaka and was looking for an English teacher. As Frotscher felt that there were not a lot of opportunities around for graduates like him at the time, he took up the offer to go to Japan. He was employed as a live-in gai-jin (literally “outsider”) to ensure that the 350 youngsters had foreign contact. While this would be enough to make most people break out in a cold sweat, Frotscher insists that he was not daunted at the prospect of teaching 30 three- to six-year-olds. He spent a successful two years in Japan, performing magic at amusement parks and in shopping malls on weekends and even managed to secure a lucrative spot on a prime-time TV show. He developed a show in Japanese and also mastered stage magic—much more visual than his previous close-up style—and was rewarded with what he describes as “the most appreciative, just ecstatic” audiences. Frotscher’s French girlfriend (now wife), Corinne, gave up her career as a lawyer to join him in Japan for his second year. When the couple left Japan in 1996 they decided to head for Munich as it seemed a good compromise between London and Toulouse. After a period of culture shock—they found Munich fairly stern compared to the polite, service-oriented lifestyle in Japan—they settled here, and now have three children: Lena, 5, Leo, 2, and Luis, 11 months. As well as performing at private functions, Frotscher also entertains international crowds at corporate events. His close-up style is guaranteed to convert even the most cynical of people. After all, when the playing card that you picked earlier pops out of the pack you have in your hand, you too will start wondering if it really is magic! Check Frotscher’s Website, www.renemagic.com, for more information, or call (089) 65 11 39 77.