{{Short description|British magician}} {{Multiple issues| {{More footnotes needed|date=June 2014}} {{BLP sources|date=April 2026}} {{Tone|date=April 2026}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Use British English|date=November 2013}}
'''Andrew Van Buren''' is a British theatrical performer. His act includes elements of stage magic, plate spinning and juggling.
Van Buren tours his own shows, specialising in theatre, corporate and cabaret settings, and has appeared on television. He is associated with and runs several projects in the entertainment industry, including The Philip Astley Projects CIC.
==Early life== Andrew Van Buren born in Stoke-on-Trent and lives in Newcastle-under-Lyme, he spent his childhood touring the world with his parents' Fred Van Buren and Greta's magic and illusion show. Having been taken on stage for the first time at just six weeks old, he learned his trade growing up in theatres and circus, in television studios and on film sets, on-stage, off-stage and backstage as well as gaining experience in fairgrounds. During this time he met many stars of yesteryear, including spending time on the Muppet Show and Star Wars sets in Elstree Studios London. He teamed up with a Hungarian State Circus artiste who taught him the art of trick cycling, which led to his performing unicycling, juggling and plate spinning with real breakable plates.
After touring with his parents, Van Buren headed off performing on his own at a young age. During the 1980s he started performing in nightclubs, raves and clubs, his big break was being asked to represent Great Britain at World Expo before Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales. He went on to tour with Music Hall Legend Danny La Rue for three years in the biggest UK theatres with the Danny La Rue show. He appeared in tours and Summer Season shows alongside veteran theatre and television stars of the time, including John Inman, Little and Large, Cannon and Ball<ref>Night at the Music Hall https://comedykings.co.uk/index.php/1996-a-night-at-the-music-hall/</ref>, Hinge and Bracket, The Nolan Sisters, Jimmy Cricket, Ray Alan and Lord Charles, Paul Daniels, plus from the pop music industry Bucks Fizz, Erasure and many more. These shows paved the way for Van Buren to upscale his own shows to a grander scale and in new directions. Van Buren also developed and performed at corporate events with his famous plate spinning, working for large global companies at their conventions and conventions, including work for Pfizer, ICI, TSB, Santander, National Lottery and many more, often alongside the companies CEOs and coining the plate spinning metaphor for work / life balance.
==Key past venues and projects == Van Buren and company have performed around the world, notably at the Brit Awards in the London Arena, the 2002 Commonwealth Games and before members of the British Royal family at World Expo in Seville, Spain. He has regularly performed with and made appear, disappear and float in mid-air the cast of British soap opera ''Coronation Street'', comedian Peter Kay<ref>{{cite web | title=Corrie star plans variety show | date=13 August 2004 | url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/corrie-star-plans-variety-show-1103202 }}</ref> and Lulu. He has worked in British venues including The Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena in London, as well as regularly performing on international cruise ships and regularly presenting shows in the United Arab Emirates.
Van Buren also has appeared and advised in the television and film industry, for resident shows, bespoke productions and theatre tours, including for The Royal Shakespeare Company.
On 8 September 2011, Van Buren presented the opening show of the New Mitchell Arts theatre in his home area of Hanley Stoke-on-Trent England – the first theatre stage he worked on as a child solo performer, returning 30 years later to present one of his illusion shows as the launch of the new £4 million refit venue.
During 2013 amongst other projects Van Buren rescued and worked as Magic consultant, stagecraft choreographer and adviser on the show Houdini, which toured theatres in the UK – written by and starring BAFTA winning actor, director and producer Stuart Brennan, with Jamie Nichols as Houdini and the Harry Potter Film actress Evanna Lynch as Bess Houdini, the play received strong reviews with The Stage Newspaper referred to the play as "a delicious piece of theatre that combines great drama with a generous helping of tricks and illusions".
==21st Century Magic Illusion Show spectaculars== Uniquely combining circus skills with magic and illusions, Van Buren presented a large-scale magic illusion show called Van Buren's Abracadabra Magic Around The World in Blackpool Tower Circus during the 2007 season<ref> Van Buren Magic Around the World Blackpool Tower Circus https://magicweek.co.uk/magic_reviews/magic_shows/review_show_magic_around_the_world_2007.htm</ref> supported by a cast of 24 international performers. Presenting numerous large-scale illusion shows around the world including regular appearances in the Middle East – UAE, Dubai<ref> Van Buren Dubai Spiegeltent Show https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/all-set-for-dubai-summer-surprises</ref>, Doha, Sharjah. In partnership with Gandey World Class Productions in 2013 Van Buren & Gandeys launched The Victorian Wonders Carnival Show – the tented show description is "a mixture of Victorian Steampunk wonders mixed with elements of a theatrical play, sideshows and a large-scale magic and illusion show with the showmanship of the fairground". Its first performance was at the Brighton Festival<ref> Van Buren Gandey Victorian Wonders Carnival https://www.ents24.com/brighton-events/victoria-gardens</ref> before launching it on its still ongoing world tour, currently based in the Middle East and Far East as well as touring with Cirque Surreal.
Alongside "Van Buren & Gandeys touring Victorian Wonders Carnival", Andrew and his wife Allyson are currently themselves personally touring the UK with their Outdoor arena show – "Van Buren's Victorian Wonders Show" performed at fetes, carnivals, festivals, Rallies, agricultural and all forms of outdoor event. This show is performed from their touring Art Nouveau theatre stage.
== Philip Astley Projects CIC == Alongside running the Van Buren Organisation and his other projects, Van Buren is continuing an ongoing quest to gain the inventor of the modern circus Philip Astley greater recognition.
In 1981, Van Buren's father helped to create and themed the Philip Astley / Circus Newcastle-under-Lyme UK carnival.
In 1992, Van Buren commissioned a portable life size statue to be made of Astley, then alongside his father they created and developed a Summer of Astley events celebrating the 250th anniversary of Philip Astley's Birth. Over the years Andrew has become an expert on the life & legacy of the "original ringmaster" Philip Astley.
In 2009, Van Buren started a third personal attempt to not only raise awareness in Philip Astley and his legacy but also attempting to give Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire a unique selling point to help develop tourism, this resulted in Andrew Van Buren and Cllr Wenslie Naylon creating the Philip Astley Project.
The Philip Astley Project working committee alongside Cllr Wenslie Naylon and Van Buren includes: Appetite, The Brampton Museum, The Friends of Brampton Museum, Keele university, Staffordshire University, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District, Newcastle-under-Lyme Civic Society, Newcastle-under-Lyme College and Performing Arts Centre, New Vic Theatre, Staffordshire Film Archive, Staffordshire Libraries and Information Services, The Van Buren Organisation work together creating events, overseeing art installations, uniting archives, developing exhibitions and curating cultural and heritage links globally.
In 2017, The Philip Astley Project in conjunction with Manchester Metropolitan University and Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) Brazil created the first Philip Astley & the Legacy of the Modern Circus Symposium.
In 2018, over 100 Astley events celebrated the 250th anniversary of the first modern circus. This included Van Buren unveiling a plaque to Astley and the 250th anniversary of Modern Circus in Monte Carlo with Prince Albert II, Prince of Monaco and Princess Stéphanie of Monaco. During the anniversary year, Van Buren oversaw the unveiling of monuments in Newcastle-under-Lyme which generated news items and articles worldwide. Van Buren made repeated appearances on multiple TV and Radio News to promote the anniversary.
Van Buren worked as adviser on the 2019 published hardback book ''The First Showman'' by Karl Shaw, which tells the story of Philip Astley as well as Van Buren's journey to gain Astley and his birthplace of Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent recognition on the global map.
2024 saw the opening of the Philip Astley Visitor and Activity Centre in the heart of Newcastle-under-Lyme, a key feature of the growing Philip Astley Heritage Trail.
To date Van Buren and the Philip Astley Projects CIC has brought over £2m investment into the Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent area.<ref>{{cite web | title=Centre celebrating father of modern circus Philip Astley to open in Staffordshire | date=20 February 2024 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crgr0n2gjlmo }}</ref>
==Television's Plate spinner and Guest Appearances== Van Buren has appeared as special guest on numerous television programmes including Chat Shows, Gameshows, News shows, TV specials and pop music videos.
The Financial Times Newspaper in 2016 ran an article in their FT Weekend Magazine on Andrew as the FT Masterclass, calling Van Buren "the UK's pre-eminent plate spinner".<ref>{{Cite web | title= Financial Times Subscribe to read | url=https://www.ft.com/content/ca47c2f8-754d-11e6-b60a-de4532d5ea35 | access-date=2025-07-30 | website=www.ft.com}}</ref> BBC TV Blue Peter, the first Blue Peter <ref>{{cite web | title=Plate Spinner Andrew Van Buren platespinning - TV Blue Peter | website=YouTube | date=8 February 2015 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVUNeoNHsHM }}</ref> appearance broadcast live from World Expo in Seville Spain - Van Buren representing Great Britain performing for Prince Charles & Diana, Princess of Wales. ITV Cilla Black's ''Moment of Truth'',<ref>{{cite web | title=Plate spinner Andrew van Buren on Cilla Blacks Moment of Truth ITV | website=YouTube | date=7 August 2015 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB4whYBLdB0 }}</ref> ''Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway'', ''The Generation Game'', CBBC's children's variety show ''The Slammer''. Plus appearances on Noel Edmonds' ''Telly Years'', and ''CBBC Best of Friends'', ''The Des O'Connor Show'', "Every Home Should Have One" series, {{Proper name|CH4 Big Breakfast}}, and BBC ''The Money Programme'' as the corporate businessman / magician / plate spinner in the "Enron Special", "The Banks that Robbed the World" and "Money Programme Special". Also appearing on the opening credits and all of the links for the 20-episode series ''Spin Cities'' alongside international DJ Judge Jules. Many appearances on Dubai UAE and Sharjah UAE TV.
Van Buren has provided many circus skills appearances for the City of Culture adverts, Habitat adverts, Senate Services, plus more recently provided pizza spinning for the superstore Morrisons ident adverts "Pizza spinner" either side of the ''Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway'' TV show.
Van Buren made a music video appearance for Charlotte Church's song "Call My Name" and appearances on CD-UK.
In 2015, Van Buren starred alongside Stephen Mulhern & Sherrie Hewson plate spinning on ITV variety show ''Get Your Act Together'' with American magicians Penn & Tellar, singer-songwriter Brian McFadden, glamour model Danielle Lloyd, Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas, and singer Ray Quinn.<ref>{{cite web | title=Plate spinning spinner Andrew van Buren ITV Sherrie Hewson Stephen Mulhern | website=YouTube | date=4 May 2021 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YcLGlHZ_pM }}</ref>
In 2016, Van Buren featured in the ground breaking special 360 degree interactive film of BBC Breakfast News behind the studio scenes.<ref>{{cite web | title=BBC Breakfast - Behind the scenes (360 video) - BBC News | website=YouTube | date=20 December 2015 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZGqeOfZZk0 }}</ref>
In 2018, Andrew and Allyson made a return appearance featured on the new version of BBC Generation Game with their Generation Game Show classic of the plate spinning with contestants smashing dozens of plates. The two episode show was hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins alongside Potters Wheel expert, comedian and actor Johnny Vegas plus Spandau Ballet's Martin Kemp.<ref>{{cite web | title=Plate spinner Andrew van Buren plate spinning on BBC TV Generation Game 2018 | website=YouTube | date=4 May 2021 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae9UbgpZhAo }}</ref> That same year, his World Juggling Tour film covered twenty countries including Monaco, Russia, America, etc.<ref>{{cite web | title=World Juggling Tour 2018 | website=YouTube | date=20 April 2018 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKb6Jkbt5Cg }}</ref>
In 2019, Andrew and Allyson were featured on the Channel 4 series Extreme Cake Makers which showed behind the scenes of the Van Buren Studio's as well as the creation of the Extreme Philip Astley Cake, commissioned by Andrew and created by award-winning cake maker Suzanne Thorp of The Frostery.
2022 television appearances include Channel 4 Grand Designs and the 'Made with Love' 2022 – 2023 marketing campaign for Summerill and Bishop luxury homeware.<ref>{{cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjFO9_8D72o/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link}}</ref>
In 2026, Van Buren provided the plate spinning and stunt doubling for singer/songwriter James Blake's album ''Trying Times''. His skills were used for the cover art, music videos and promotional material. <ref>{{cite web | title= James Blake Album Trying Times | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/james-blake-announces-new-album-trying-times-and-shares-striking-single-death-of-love-3924994 }}</ref>
==Family history== ''The Van Buren Story'', a documentary produced by Professor Ray Johnson MBE of Staffordshire Film Archive was released on DVD during 2010, with a new updated Directors Cut released in 2019.
In November 2020, Van Buren was interviewed by the ''Panto Podcast'' online, in which he talked in depth about life growing up in show business, his families history, life behind the scenes and touring his shows.
==Affiliations== Van Buren is one of only a few Gold Star members of The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star – Andrew Van Buren MIMC.<ref>{{Cite web | title=The Official Magic Circle Site - A Resource for Magicians and Members | url=https://themagiccircle.co.uk/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981205153536/http://www.themagiccircle.co.uk:80/ | archive-date=1998-12-05}}</ref> He is a long-standing member of Equity.<ref>{{Cite web | title=We are the performing arts and entertainment trade union {{!}} Equity | url=https://www.equity.org.uk/ | access-date=2025-07-30 | website=www.equity.org.uk}}</ref>
Van Buren is a member of the fairground outdoor events industry body the Association of Independent Showmen (AIS) and a long-standing member of the theatrical showbusiness charity organisation The Grand Order of Water Rats.<ref>{{cite web |title=Members of the Water Rats |url=https://www.gowr.co.uk/all-water-rats/andrewvanburen/}}</ref>
Van Buren is a Committee Member of The Big Top Label for European Circus, an independent quality assurance system guaranteeing quality circus art and no maltreatment of animals. It was created by István Ujhelyi, a member of the European Parliament.<ref>{{cite web | title=BTL-Committee | url=https://bigtoplabel.com/btl-comittee/ }}</ref>
Van Buren is Director of The Philip Astley Projects CIC.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet the Team – Philip Astley |url=https://philipastley.org.uk/meet-the-team/}}</ref>
== Recent Awards == 2024 - Honorary Lifetime President of the Mercian Mystics Magic Society.
2025 - Andrew was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.<ref>{{cite web | title=Magician conjures up top prize in Borough Heroes Awards | url=https://www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/news/article/377/magician-conjures-up-top-prize-in-borough-heroes-awards }}</ref>
== Personal life == Andrew has a daughter with his wife and stage assistant Allyson Ford Van Buren.
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.vanburen.org.uk Van Buren Entertainment Organisation official website] * [http://www.gowr.net Grand Order of Water Rats official website] * [http://www.gowr.net/Members/membersofthegran.html List of members of the GOWR] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETiwMTENG8g Video of Van Buren plate spinning on the television game show Generation Game] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tXSB_OtqMA Video of Van Buren illusion show in Blackpool Tower circus] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20121002081258/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Magical-night-celebrate-pound-4m-venue/story-13298399-detail/story.html Mitchell Theatre Opening News Item] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20121002081356/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Master-illusionist-delighted-bring-stage-act/story-13298336-detail/story.html Mitchell Theatre Show] * [https://www.comedykings.co.uk/index.php/1996-a-night-at-the-music-hall/ A night at the Music Hall Tours] * [https://www.uktw.co.uk/archive/music-hall/the-good-old-days/S5661/ Good Old Days Music Hall Tours] * [http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10432035.Lose_your_head_at_Brighton_Fringe___literally/ Victorian Wonders Carnival – Brighton Argus News Item] * [http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10432035.Lose_your_head_at_Brighton_Fringe___literally/ Manchester Evening News – Coronation Street Show] * [http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/dawn-chorus-1-2264565 Yorkshire Evening Post – Coronation Street Shows] * [http://www.theatreguide.co.uk/2738/the-horne-section.html The Alex Horne Section] * [http://www.magicweek.co.uk/backissues_0100-0149/0111.htm Commonwealth Games Manchester] * [https://books.google.com/books?id=-c5nXbo8ugkC&dq=%22andrew+van+buren%22+%22plate+spinner%22&pg=PA73 Time Out – Harry Hill] * [http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Town-plans-honour-father-modern-circus-events/story-28108127-detail/story.html The Philip Astley Project Launch & Statue] * [https://www2.mmu.ac.uk/media/mmuacuk/content/documents/cheshire/15501-Circus-Symposium-brochure.pdf Van Buren Organisation Partnership with the University of Bahia Brazil / Manchester Metropolitan University England] * [https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-08/lates-map-aug-18.pdf Resurrecting Philip Astley at the Science Museum London] * [http://www.philipastley.org.uk The Philip Astley Project] * [http://bigtoplabel.com/btl-comittee/ The Big Top Label Rating System for European Circus] * [https://vaudeville.sites.arizona.edu/node/65 The American Vaudeville Museum / University of Arizona – History of Vaudeville Article by Victoria Esposito] * [http://www.philipastley.org.uk/news/philip-astley-westminster/ Andrew Van Buren speaking in the Palace of Westminster London about Philip Astley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Heritage & Culture] * [https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/quirki-intu-trafford-c-18306 Cirque Surreal Quirki Sideshows Review] * [https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-03-27/the-generation-game-2018-mel-sue-first-look-photos/ Radio Times – Mel & Sue's The Generation Game] * [https://www.tvguide.co.uk/detail/3221215/148833359/extreme-cake-makers Extreme Cake Makers] * [https://www.artsindustry.co.uk/feature/1289-dea-birkett-under-lyme-newcastle-s-safe-under-the-big-top Cultural Industry Magazine, Dea Birkett on Andrew Van Buren the driving force behind a town’s cultural revival] * [http://www.philipastley.org.uk/news/philip-astley-project-monte-carlo/ Monte Carlo Philip Astley Plaque unveil] * [http://raconteur.net/magazine/circus-for-the-soul The Times Raconteur Magazine Circus of the Soul Article] * [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/philip-astley-250-anniversary-uk-first-modern-circus-greatest-showman-a8141826.html The Independent – Philip Astley] * [https://www.ft.com/content/ca47c2f8-754d-11e6-b60a-de4532d5ea35 The Financial Times Masterclass Andrew Van Buren on Plate Spinning] * [https://www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs/on-demand/70447-006 Ch4 Grand Designs with Kevin McCloud] * [https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjFO9_8D72o/ Summerill and Bishop Advertising Campaign] * [https://pantopodcast.podbean.com/e/ep-74-andrew-van-buren/ Panto Podcast in-depth interview with Andrew Van Buren Broadcast 13 November 2020] {{subscription required}} * [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crgr0n2gjlmo BBC News interview with Andrew Van Buren about the Philip Astley Centre Opening] * [https://www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/news/article/377/magician-conjures-up-top-prize-in-borough-heroes-awards Lifetime Achievement Award]
Books
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=08AcBAAAQBAJ&dq=%22andrew+van+buren%22+%22dermot+o+leary&pg=PT244 Book – The Soundtrack to My Life By Dermot O'Leary] * [http://sinisterbend.com/2014/03/14/ancient-philisophy-and-origin-of-universe/ Ancient Philosophy and Origin of the Universe] * [http://swedishmadeeasy.com/the-plate-spinner.html Swedish Made Easy – The Plate Spinner metaphor] * [https://books.google.com/books?id=-c5nXbo8ugkC&dq=%22andrew+van+buren%22+%22plate+spinner%22&pg=PA73 Book – Adam's Rib Disorder: A Misconception of Submission By Deborah A. Cosio] * [https://www.managementboek.nl/boek/9789079182183/zo-lukt-het-wel-projectmanagement-arno-commandeur Book – Zo lukt het wel project management] * [https://books.google.com/books?id=MYlXxQEACAAJ Philip Astley The First Showman by New York Times Best seller Karl Shaw]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Van Buren, Andrew}} Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:British magicians Category:Entertainers from Stoke-on-Trent Category:British circus performers Category:British male entertainers Category:British television personalities Category:People from Newcastle-under-Lyme