At the Magic Castle tonight as Jonathan completed his last show completing his farewell performances. GM Joe Furlow showed a video highlighting some of Jonathan illusions.
Magic Castle President Jim Steinmeyer, presented a plaque honoring Jonathan. This marked over 40 yrs. of performing. It was tearful and yet great to see him perform some of his fantastic illusions, closing with “Metamorphosis”

Can anyone ever REALLY retire from magic? I'll tell you in two words. Immmmm possible.

I do wonder if maybe he just lost the desire after the tragic death of his "sort of" adopted daughter (who was also his assistant) last year. That was the first thing I thought of when I heard of his retirement.

What a beautiful, amazing life! And career.

My understanding (based on a conversation with Mr. Pendragon that week) was that it was only a farewell performance in the Palace.
This of course, leaves all the other showrooms at the Castle available to him... should he choose to work them.
Not to mention that he hasn't given up all the touring with Masters of Illusion.

I see.

That seems incredibly manipulative.

What does?

The idea he "retired" but it turns out only in that specific theater.

Sounds like someone just badly misunderstood something and felt the need to post it. Oh, well. Stuff happens.

Last 2 sentences came from Oliver Hardy, right? Anyway, glad to hear Mr. Pendragon has not retired altogether. His version of metamorphosis is absolutely the best. Lynn

True!

If you're gonna steal, might as well steal from the best.

I just saw Jonathan Pendragon perform Live at Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, KS on April 28th, 2017. He was part of the Masters Of Illusion LIVE Tour ensemble which also included Chipper Lowell and Michale Turco. Great show! They never announced in the promotional material who was going to be involved in the show. I think, from what I understand, the cast changes regularly (or seasonally). Anyway, it was such a fantastic shock and surprise to find out he was performing that night!

I am trying to retire, but I still have contracted dates through 2019. My performance at the Magic Castle was a special event that celebrated my 40 years in the Palace of Mystery, but also the last time I will work the room as living in Vermont makes the kind of show I present impossible to do without an exhausting amount of effort before, during and after the week. My body isn't up to it at 65 years of age with my injuries. I will only work the close-up room, but on rare occasions. I am trying to work more behind the scenes and was recently asked to train a young illusionist for the "Now You See Me - live tour." That and writing is where I am headed. Mr. Doyle, it's not manipulative at all. Didn't you hire my ex to go to Cancun back in 2010? How did that go?

I'm so happy to hear it is not some silly publicity thing. Thank you for telling the story.

Congratulations Jonathan! Well deserved.

(Sounds like there is a good story behind the Cancun show! 😜)

So cool to hear from Jonathan himself on here! No matter what venues you choose Jonathan, all the best to you!