talkmagic.co.uk

I used to watch David Copperfield on TV as a kid and loved it. Tho I didn't really do any magic back then. Hell I remember screwing a card location effect with a Svengali deck. I also had a haunted hankey and possibly some other stuff.

I was working as an IT Trainer in London, just around the corner from International Magic. I thought I recognised Jerry Sadowitz working in there one lunchtime.... I went in and started talking to him and he showed me the 'Vanishing Deck' trick.

£12.50 later I was back in the classroom and the next time we reached a break in the lesson, I showed the class the trick. Absolutely amazed by their reaction I headed staight back on the IM after class and bought a whole load more of tricks!

Things have never been quite the same since! My only regret is that I didn't get into the art (and I firmly believe it is an art) much, much earlier in life.... but I'm making up for it now!


Sean

I suppose my Story is a little odd. (Please do'nt think i am being Vain - Just Honest)
I was Very good at sports at School esp football (Hoped to become a proffesional)
I loved to watch Paul Daniels - Got first Magic Set (Learnt all the tricks inside and out)
I didnt really show anyone the tricks, other than close family (even though i am a natural extrovert)
Was massively obessesed with horror films esp Supernatural/ Religeous types.
A chance encounter, meant i was taught to read Palms and playing cards at about 14 (Started to investigate the occult - But no-one wants a reading off a skinny 14 yr old)

Had football trials at three big clubs (Was told to comeback next year)
I was'nt ready to be a full time performer, I Decided to join the British Army at 16.

I then spent alot of spare time, studying Magic & Magick' and at about age 20 i started to perform.

As an aside due to my knowledge/interest in the occult/spritualist movement - i was naturally drawn to Bizarre Magick.

I became a magician by accident. Came across Mark Wilson's Complete Course in a remaindered bookshop for £1 and thought "that looks worth a quid".

Worked my way through it and never looked back. Eventually I joined a club, I won't say which one because I'm going to be rude about it. What a bunch of tossers. I got so sick of the whining. Eventually, I started getting paid gigs, while still being told by club members how it was impossible to make a living from magic.

For a while it was a toss-up between acting and magic, but magic gigs were easier to get so I went with it, and now I only do occasional acting jobs.

If we were to meet I would introduce myself to you as Harry. Thats always been my name since childhood I have been a Harry. However on my passport my first name is Stephen. Why is that? Because (and this is true) my dad wanted my initials to spell SHAZAM. For me, becoming a magician was inevitable.

Because it's permission to lie.