NEWPORT
-- We know the Irish are lucky. But how are they at magic?
Find out Saturday, when magician and storyteller Debbie O'Carroll performs two Irish magic shows, in Middletown and Newport.
"There is a different kind of magic in Ireland," O'Carroll said. "My show isn't like the Las Vegas shows you see. It's very different."
It's Irish. That means a mix of illusion and tall tales. You'll hear O'Carroll, a resident of Newburyport, Mass., talk about a dullahan, the Irish equivalent of the headless horseman. And during her performance, O'Carroll said, she'll make a dullahan's head float.
You can hear O'Carroll talk about a banshee, an Irish fairy who weeps when someone is about to die. You can hear her talk about a lucky leprechaun and, while she does, see her make a half-gallon of milk appear out of nowhere.
"I don't have a rabbit or any live animals," O'Carroll says. "You don't find much of that in Irish magic. You also won't find violent tricks where things get cut or chopped."
For 20 years O'Carroll has been performing her brand of Irish magic and storytelling, having received bachelor's and master's degrees in drama.
"I'm an actor and magical things happen in my performance," O'Carroll said.
During her show, O'Carroll said she will turn a tin whistle into a rainbow.
"The show is magical and the audience will learn a lot about Ireland," she said.
The show, which is free, is intended for ages 4-11. Saturday's shows are at 11 a.m. at the Newport Public Library at 300 Spring St., and at 2 p.m. at the Middletown Public Library on West Main Road. A third show will be offered at 11 a.m. on March 23 at the Portsmouth Public Library.
The three shows are sponsored by the Newport Firefighters Local 1080, the Middletown Firefighters Local 1933 and the Portsmouth Firefighters Local 1949, respectively.
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