backstage
LEX SCHOPPI & ALINA
A short profile by Daphne Bellucci
Lex Shoppi was self-taught in the art of quick change when he began to specialize on the subject at the end of the 90’s. He studied his art with amazing precision until he reached perfection and ventured on stud trips to Eastern Europe to investigate the history of quick change.
With his specialist publications Lex Schppi contributed significantly to the popularity of quick change on the magic scene. In 2001 he wrote his first specialist article on quick change and already by 2003 his first book appeared at the FISM World Championships of Magic in Den Haag. In May 2005 he published his second book on quick change in the USA, which not only sold worldwide and was republished, but found its place on the day of release in the top ten best-seller list of magic dealers around the world. Today, four years later, it is still in the top hundred. International magic press and leading Las Vegas magicians recommend this book as a fundamental work of the art of quick change. He’s awarded by magic circle of Germany with title “Author of the Year”.
As a coach ad consultant Lex Schoppi advises magicians, television and show productions. In addition to three dozen different techniques, he has penned further inventions. Many of his ideas are available worldwide from magic dealers. During the world championships of magic in 2006 in Stockholm one of his creations was used in the “Best of Magic Gala”. His customer list reads like a “Who’s Who” from the international magic scene. Even “Cirque du Soleil” and Las Vegas magicians consulted the effects specialist for show costumes. Alongside television programs such as “World of Comedy – the best Comedians of the World”, “Stars in the Circus”, “ECHO - the German Music Award” or the Euro-TV program he has prepared for example for the hit star Helene Fischer for her solo tour, for comedian Maddin Schneider, legendary soccer stars, Top Models, Got Talent artists, Rock stars and many many others.
In the summer of 2002 Lex Schoppi met his stage partner Alina. In 2003 the pair began developing their duo presentation and converted French haut couture from Dior and other top designers. They established themselves with their performance abroad in Europe. By 2006 they had a quick change act with 10 designer costumes and 14 effects. Six months later a sensational turn of events: They were the closing act of the “Best of International Magic & Variety” in London. No German had appeared for five years and the international specialist press reported in words and pictures about this unusual magic duo. The specialist magazine “Simsalabim” quickly dubbed them “one of the best quick change acts in the world”.
Long before they became known in Germany Lex Schoppi and Alina were already a spectacular closing act in top-class gala shows in foreign magic conventions and art festivals. They were the first German artists to open the Magic Festival “Firá Magica” in Northern Spain. The press became curious about them and this was followed by invitations from the world of politics and an appearance at the Media Ball. The couple was booked for the gala show of the Southern German Championships by the Magic Circle of Germany and this was followed by another offer for the German Championships at the National Convention. In the summer of 2008 Lex Schoppi and Alina held a big seminar in the style of a show in front of approximately one thousand magicians amongst which were many top names. Their biggest live performances were in front of more than 42,000 spectators at an open air festival in the framework of a television program and with Germanys Topmodels in the biggest european Circus-TV Show.
Lex Schoppi & Alina have been awarded with several gold prizes for entertainment and were the first German magic duo to be presented by the leading magazine for magicians and mentalists in Europe, “Magicseen”. The magazine gave them the title “world’s leading Quick Change Artistes” and devoted a full four page report to the magic duo. In 2008 the official institution of the international professional association for show and entertainment arts bestowed upon them the title “Artists of the Year” in the category “Best Transformation Show”. In 2011 they become this award for second time. Lex Schoppi & Alina appear with their “High Speed Haute Couture Entertainment Quick Change” of highest quality, and it is with this that they are internationally recognized.
