FANTASIO & MONICA

BY FRANCES MARSHALL

OUR cover honors a magician whose life story could be a perfect pattern for anyone seeking success in this business. Fantasio did everything right, always progressing with his eye on his next goal. Most significantly, he never just sat and waited for something to happen. He made things happen. Born Ricardo Roucau in Buenos Aires, in 1936, Fantasio was given a magic set at age ten. Inspired by Fred Astaire's Portrayal of a magician in the film "Three Little Words," little Ricardo determined to be the best. At 17, he was taking sleight of hand lessons, was a member of three magic clubs in the city, and was gready influenced by the late, great David Bamberg. At the same time, he was studying chemistry at the University and working in a bank. He went through all the levels of playing" kid shows," benefits, and, through an appearance on an annual show over Buenos Aires TV, he was booked for two additional performances in Montevideo.

He next moved into the night club field and met a young dancer, Monica. They were married in 1959 and Fantasio framed an act to include his wife. Their range of work increased as their repertoire grew and they covered most of South America and up into the Carribean. In those early days, they worked as "Larry and Daisy," and it was under that name that they came to the U.S. in 1964.

The first time I met them, they were on their way to play a job in Minneapolis. Both were lighdy dressed in clothing suitable for the warm South American climate but hardly fitting for the biting wintry winds of Minnesota. My first bit of advice to them was to get some warmer clothing.

And their names, "Larry and Daisy," were laid aside along with the Argentine clothing almost as quickly. Fantasio and Monica emerged as one of the hottest young acts in show business. In short order, they played the Latin Quarter, in New York, Las Vegas' Desert Inn, The Hollywood Palace, and the Sullivan Show (5 times before it left the air).

We came to know Fantasio much better during the six months he played the Ice Show at Chicago's Conrad Hilton. From there, he went with the Liberace Show for three months.

Fantasio has an unerring instinct for getting booked into the most glamorous places at the right time of year. He put together a musical-magical revue and played it for more than three months in the El Casino in the Bahamas. Winter of 1974 found him working a posh hotel in Miami, this time with little Jackie who went into the act at age 9. Yet he always manages to book a date "back home" so that he can visit with his parents who still live in South America.

His studies in chemistry gave him the vision to see great possibilities for plastic as a magic medium. In his own efficient and well-equipped workroom he's introduced a whole new line of products for magicians; vanishing canes, color changing canes, candle effects, etc. His close friend, Bruce Johnson is supervisor of the magic supply firm.

Fantasio will tell you he's far from finished. He's in there, working to make the trio act bigger and better. And while he takes his bows. . . his mind is back in the workshop trying to perfect a plastic appearing cane. Bravo, Fantasio, Monica and Jackie you're an inspiration to magicians everywhere.



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