Timothy Hyde

Timothy Hyde is a New Zealand born Australian based magician, speaker, actor, writer and publisher.

Timothy was born in Wellington New Zealand in 1955. While training as a primary school teacher at Wellington Teachers College (1974–1976), he also appeared in numerous productions at Wellington's Unity Theatre, Downstage Theatre and helped establish the Wellington Children's Theatre Co-op. After two years teaching he began a full-time career as a performer, joining the experimental Chameleon Theatre Group, later known as Chameleon Circus. They toured extensively throughout New Zealand with support from the Department of Internal Affairs, appearing at universities, prisons and arts festivals. He moved to Sydney in 1980, busking for three years, before establishing himself as a regular at Sydney's Comedy Store and building a career in both family and corporate entertainment together with his wife Lynda. His family entertainment credits include being the first magician to sign a long term contract as resident illusionists at the largest theme park in the Southern Hemisphere – Australia's Wonderland. He also performed seasons for Warner Brothers and at Sega World Sydney. In 1992 and 1993 he produced the entertainment program at the Sydney Royal Easter Show's prestigious Colgate Stage.

He was in high demand as a support act for international acts visiting Australia and has toured extensively with such acts as – James Taylor, K C and the Sunshine Band, Demis Roussos, Gloria Loring, Johnnie Ray and with locals Marcia Hines, Rodney Rude, Col Elliot and Joe Perrone.

His success in the industry has been acknowledged by his peers and subsequently he has appeared on the cover of many leading industry journals including Australian Magic Monthly, Genii Journal & Magicana magazines. In 2012 he was the featured interview in Magic State of Mind, a series that has featured many of the magic industries biggest names.

In 1999 he set up the unique MagicCoach project, coaching other magicians worldwide and publishing both books and online newsletters. The trendsetting newsletter was the internet's first regular online magic marketing newsletter, with guest contributors including – Mac King, James Randi and Billy McComb and a subscriber base of over 2000. His significant catalogue of publications for performers places him in the top five most prolific authors in the field in Australian history.

In the last decade he has worked mainly in the corporate area, both as an entertainer, speaker and Master of Ceremonies. In 2006 he was awarded the Walter Dickman Award by the National Speakers Association of Australia for services to the speaking industry and the community. He has been engaged by the National Speakers Association of Australia to be Master of Ceremonies at their own convention from 2003 – 2009. and at the NSA (USA) convention. His unique blending of magic and work as an MC has taken him around the world, presenting in – Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, South Africa, Cambodia, USA and Hong Kong multiple times in the last few years.

When he is not engaged in corporate assignments he appears as a headline entertainer on luxury Cruise Ships. Appearances have included - Cunard's Queen Mary 2, Crystal Symphony, Silversea Cruises's Cloud & Shadow, and multiple contracts on Princess, P&O Australia & P&O UK.

TV, Video & Film

He was featured in a NHK Television special on the Magic of Australia and has appeared on – Ray Martin's Midday, Mr Squiggle,The Afternoon Show with James Valentine, Young Talent Time, HG & Roy's Club Buggery, several television commercials, music video appearances with Austen Tayshus & Anthony Ackroyd and was a featured extra in the Australian movie Those Dear Departed.

Stage

• Leonard & Virginia – Chameleon Theatre Group / Chameleon Circus 1977-1979 Writer Performer
• Cuba Street Capers – Chameleon Theatre Group / Chameleon Circus 1977-1979 Writer Performer
• Daniel's Journey – Chameleon Theatre Group / Chameleon Circus 1977-1979 Writer Performer
• Dummies at Dinner – Chameleon Theatre Group / Chameleon Circus 1977-1979 Writer Performer
• Chameleon in Cabaret – Chameleon Theatre Group / Chameleon Circus 1977-1979 Writer Performer
• Magic Spectacular - Australia's Wonderland – (1992–1993) – Hanna Barbera Theatre
• Magic Spectacular - Sydney Royal Easter Show – Colgate Stage, performer, producer, Master of Ceremony 1992 – 1993
• Magic Spectacular – Bondi Pavilion – Writer Performer,Two Self Produced Christmas Holiday Seasons (1992–1993)
• Magic Spectacular – Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre
• The Smallest Circus on Earth – 1984–1987 School & Kindergarten performances
• The Master of Disaster 1980 – 1984 Writer Performer – Comedy Venues
• Humpty Dumpty – The Pantomime, Footbridge Theatre – 1985 Title Role
• Unsuitable for Adults Terry Johnson – Belvoir street theatre – (1988). The role of Keith
• Mumbo Jumbo – Clarendon Theatre Katoomba – Writer Performer(1992)
• The Cabaret of Dr X – Clarendon Theatre Katoomba ( 1993) Writer Performer, with composer Peter Dasent

He acted as a magic consultant for Neil Armfield's production of Steve Martin's The Zig-Zag Lady at Belvoir street theatre.

Some of the following books were originally published as physical books but they are all now available as eBooks

• MagicCoach 200 - The Best of MagicCoach Vol 2 (2017)
• BWC (2016)
• The Expert MC - Toolkit & Resource Manual (2015)
• Motivate Your Memory (2009) –
• Sleight of Mind – Kickstart your Creativity (2008)
• Brilliant Brainstorming (2008)
• MagicCoach 100 – The Best of MagicCoach (2000)
• Whimsy – An Audio Adventure (1998)
• The M4 Notes (1994)
• The Magic Spectactular Magic & Fun Activity Book (1993)
• Secret Notebooks of Mr Hyde Vol 1 (2004)
• Secret Notebook of Mr Hyde Vol 2 – Magazine Memory (2009)
• Hunter Knot Revisited (2006)
• Multiply Your Merchandising (2000)- Revised Edition (2015)
• Routines for Rascals (2009)
• Magically Speaking (2001)
• The World's Greatest Puzzles (2006)

He has also contributed stories and regular articles for magic journals including – Australian Magic Monthly, Vanish, Genii Journal, Vibrations and a cover story for Magic Magazine on his colleague Raymond Crowe.

He contributed a story to Penguin Australia's compilation "There's more to life than sex and money"

His online MagicCoach project was launched in 1999.