Behind the Scenes

Asking for a testimonial has always felt awkward to me. A bit like saying, “Hey, could you please tell everyone how brilliant I am?” I’ve never liked the idea. After all, when you’re hired to perform at someone’s event, it’s their big day – not yours. They’ve spent weeks, sometimes months, making it perfect. You’re there to help make it memorable, not to stick a camera in their face when the night’s winding down. But sometimes the moment just feels right. A Pint and a Perfect

Not every performance has a ticket or a stage. Some of the best magic sneaks up on you, at a legendary club, in a hidden shop, over a curry, or in the middle of a story that’s been passed down for generations. That’s the thing about magic: it’s a living craft. The best lessons happen when no one’s expecting them.

Like a lot of magicians, I had a couple of magic sets when I was a kid. Marvin’s Magic, a Paul Daniels set, those kinds of things. You probably remember them too: plastic props, a wand that didn’t quite stay together, and tricks that almost worked if you got the instructions right (and didn’t lose the secret gimmick down the side of the sofa). They were fun... sort of. But they didn’t light a fire in me. So, what did?

I saw some brilliant acts, funny, clever, quirky, bold, (and one terrible show I won't mention) and came away inspired (and a bit sweaty, it was warm in those rooms). This isn't a full review, just a quick shoutout to a few performers who made me laugh, think, or feel something magical. If you get the chance to see any of them in future, go.

Magician off-duty, but always ready for action. I’ve just come back from the Edinburgh Fringe, a city that’s bursting at the seams with...

I was performing at a 50th birthday party in a Wimbledon tennis club recently when a ten-year-old boy began shadowing me from group to group. Every time I finished a trick, vanishing coins, card routines, mind-reading flourishes, there he was, eyes wide, with his older brother watching on, clearly hungry to learn more...

This month, I joined South London Magic Club’s annual close-up contest , performing alongside some incredible talent, including Bron Ivy...

Sometimes the smallest details make the biggest differences. For me, it’s a humble deck of playing cards I keep in my jacket pocket every day (USPCC Bicycle deck to be precise). Here’s why...