Houdini’s Magic Bars will install works of the legendary magician at their two locations in Broadstairs and Canterbury on 16th August

Brighton street artist The Postman are set to work with Kent’s Houdini’s Magic Bars next week installing works of the legendary magician at their two locations in Broadstairs and Canterbury on 16th August to celebrate their five-year anniversary.

Houdini’s Magic Bar was founded by Sam and Claudette Watson in 2016 in Broadstairs with a second in Canterbury opening in 2018. These special bars offer different kinds of live magic by some of the finest magicians in the country while you sit and drink and relax.

Since opening they have not only entertained thousands of people, including the likes of Derren Brown and Jamie Raven, but have won some 15 awards for their unique concept, experience and high customer service.

“We are thrilled to have The Postman agree to leave their mark at both of our venues!,” says Sam Watson.

“We have been performing magic and making amazing cocktails to the public for five years and to mark this special anniversary we wanted the man himself to be here at long last… So, after many chats and with the help of The Postman, Harry Houdini will be on the walls of both of our bars. The guys at The Postman are unique and full of mystic and that’s why they are perfect for us. They have given Houdini a 21st century twist which we love and a huge amount of work has gone into the artworks. We can’t wait to have him here at long last. Welcome home Harry!”

The Postman was created in Brighton in 2018 when two people met by chance and discovered a shared love for street art. The pair became best friends and have since set off on many adventures together. They are rather private individuals and prefer to operate anonymously and work with an ever-growing circle of friends called The Postman Collective. Their work is inspired by a passion for photography and iconic imagery. A love for music and pop culture manifests itself throughout their works, while their unique style also takes influence from their roots in graffiti culture.

“When we got offered the job at the Houdini bars, we got very excited as we hadn’t a) made an artwork of a magician before and b) painted an official mural in Canterbury and Broadstairs,” says The Postman. “It was also a challenge as all we had to work with was a couple 100+ years old facial images of the famous illusionist.

“The remaining pieces of the artwork had to be created from scratch, so we visited a few costume stores to gather material and staged a photo shoot. Bringing Harry Houdini into the 21st century and sharing him with our audience is an honour for us.”

Many of their artworks live exclusively on the streets and are never available for purchase. They describe these pieces as ‘impermanent art’, which fades over time, and their fans love to seek these out before they disappear. Their style of street art aims to entertain and cheer up the public. It’s positive and inclusive nature allows people from diverse communities to see themselves represented and heard.

“In our daily lives we are unwillingly bombarded with adverts that are hard to escape from. We want to spread love on the streets by creating free art for people to enjoy.,” says The Postman. “Art that doesn’t discriminate. Art that surprises you in places where you least expect it. Art that is colourful, that celebrates our hero’s past and present and shows them in new light.”

Sam Watson is himself an award-winning magician, who founded the Black Card Club (a magic club in Kent) and is a member of the Magic Circle - with an associate of the Inner Magic Circle with silver status for his services to magic.

Sam started performing magic at the age of 11 after falling in love with the art when watching Paul Daniels on TV every Saturday night and then a magic set for Christmas kicked off his serious interest.

He was picked to perform at the House of illusion in Salou, Spain when he was just 17 and performed as an illusionist every night for a season. On his return he was one of Kent’s busiest performers working at weddings and corporate events. It was Sam’s dream to own a magic bar, and when his wife, Claudette saw a perfect location, they went for it - on a whim, with no bar running experience - just passion and the love of magic.

INSTALLATIONS: Monday 16th August ,

12pm - 6 St Peters Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT12AT

4pm - 158 High Street, Broadstairs, Kent, CT101JB