Hello,
Let's start with the basics, I'm Connor Stokes or by my stage name "Connor Oldfield". I'm 15 years old, born on the 14th, July 2000, and I'm doing my GCSE's at High School now in year 11 which is quite stressful. I'm surprised to say as far as I'm aware I'm the only magician in my school. I have been doing magic now for about two and a half years. I got into magic for one simple reason I got bullied quite a lot, so my dad suggested to my that I get into magic. Which at first made things worse, but when people realized I was serious about it they started to respect the art. So my bullying gradually slowed down. Although I have to admit recently the bullies have been chirping up again, which I don't mind. One, because they'll be doing it too me and not someone else. Two, because I know it cause they're jealous that I have a talent (I know that sounds horrible but these are people with no aspirations in life other than to party and kick off).
Like I said before the reason I got into magic was because of bulling, but it was really my dad who inspired me too do it all. He first tried to get me into magic aged 8, but then I didn't really care and the only trick I can remember was a 4 ace card routine, which I've now developed into a 4 ace and chosen card routine with five piles instead of the basic four, which always goes down a treat. At the moment I am close-up magician which I don't think will change much, although cabaret is something I wouldn't mind going into. Sadly at the moment I'm pretty much a card magician. Apart from a few tricks like "Coin Unique" and I want to move on from being so dependent on cards. So if anyone has any suggestions they'd be greatly appreciated. I tend to perform with my dad at a pub he works at. Where he is the DJ and overall entertainer, I sometimes help him down their and I really enjoy. I've also started taking my own booking but I don't do that often. I just think it's great as I earn money from something I'm passionate about. Don't get me wrong though I also do a lot of charity gigs in and around Blackpool, with two more planned in the coming months.
On the 2nd, June 2016, I entered my first (and so far only) competition at my local club "Fylde Mystics" (Link to the website in my signature) I had the choice to join Blackpool Magician Club, which hosts the Blackpool Magic Festival (Convention) every year. However in the competition I messed up a few times. I had the audience on my side as well as some great patter and I managed to come third in which I honestly think is a miracle, because of my mess ups which nearly brought me to a break down. However I was later told by a great magician that I got the award, because even when the trick went wrong and I was visibly distraught I carried on and managed to finally get the card. So from that day forward I can cheekily say I'm an award winning magician. Soon hopefully to be multi-award winning when I enter one soon. Anyway if anyone is interested what I did here it is; I started off strong with my own variation of a svengali routine, then moved on to my failed trick, which was simple card reveal and I managed to pull through. My last trick was probably my best which was "The Deal of Misfortune" by Jasper Blakeley.
A few people my wonder why my stage name is Connor Oldfield when my actual name is Connor Stokes. It's simple, it was my mothers maiden name and I thought Connor Oldfield sounded quite nice and was a good tribute to my mother (Just to say she hasn't died, if that's what it sounds like). However some other people don't like it and suggested a more shall we say modern name "Magic Stokesy", which too be fair I don't mind as it's quite catchy and simple. I would like to ask for peoples thoughts and ideas on it though. If yous don't mind.
I feel I have taken enough of your time and would like to thank you if you've made it this far.
Special Thanks;
- My dad Tim Stokes/Knight,
Adam Topham of illusioncraft,
Roy Bond,
Teacher at my school,
Alan Mylecraine,
and of cause everyone else at my club.
PS: Can a moderator please tell me if my signature is aloud as I have put the link to my local club is, I think is should be aloud as under rule 2 it doesn't give me or anyone else any financial benefit. My only worry is it'll come under blatant advertising. Can you also tell me if something else is wrong with this and I'll happily change it as soon as I see your message.
(Note from Mods: Connor's link is http://www.fyldemystics.co.uk/)