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All about MEEEEEEEEE.
Hi all,
Well here it is, the story so far, warts, and all. I was born [?] in East Acton, London W3 in 1900 and frozen to death. I was the apple of my fathers’ eye – the first thing he said was core. I was the only child so if I could not get what I wanted from Mum or Dad, my Grandmother was always there. Spoilt a bit. My Father was an engineer and made illusions for a magician called Gill Leany. Every time he made Gill one he made me a small duplicate one. He was good with his hand, that’s what my mother said. Well the magic bug was there.
On my 9th Birthday, Gill gave a children’s magic show for me in our flat. Rabbits were in the bathroom along with other livestock, along with a lot of other boxes. There was not much room for the show with all the kids’ as the flat only had a kitchen, bathroom, one bedroom split in half and a lounge come everything else. Gill had to carry all the show upstairs as it was the top flat of a house. But I remember the show; the end of the show was great. Out of his roll-on table came banners, paper chains and tinsel, what a finish.
When I was eleven my father took me to The Magic Circle children’s party and I ended up as a stooge for Chan. I had spring chickens in my jacket along with a mixture of other spring items, all for the egg bag trick [very uncomfortable during tea time] but the trick was great. I had to pretend I caught the egg in my hands, then I lost it, on searching me [must not do this nowadays] he found all the spring goodies. I remember the chicken scraping my nose when he took it out. It hurt! But that’s Showbiz. I include the egg bag trick in all my children’s shows myself now. A good 10 minutes of fun and classic magic.
Close up magic saw me through college and my first few jobs. Then people started to ask me to do a few magic tricks at parties for them, well free food is not bad. The money, what money? I became a rep, a successful one, something to do with me being able to talk to people [and show them magic tricks]. Magic opened many doors for me.
In 1970 I turned semi-pro, now I get paid for shows. Later that year I became a father [son], whatever that means. Two years latter we moved to Devon, became a father again [daughter], it must be in the air. 1973 divorced ended up with the kids, 1974 met second wife plus stepson. I became a Sales Manager looking after 22 guys in the direct selling sector. I made a very good living for the next 13 years but work took over my whole life and I did not see my kids grow up. 1990 divorced again [I am not that easy to live with]. I ended up with the kids; she ended up with the house. That’s not good money magic, but my kids are magic to me. I think they are on elastic now [they believe money grows on trees, must stop doing that trick too]. I then turned professional magician or something like that. I wished I had turned much earlier, so much fun, laughter and the money is not bad [I not cheap but the magic seems to go down well with the children and my corporate clients, it must be something I said!]
I met my now partner / assistant Rose 9 years ago, now she is part of the show, poor lass I’m a sod for detail in my shows. I have a large flat, which is full of every type of magic trick, effect, book, and tapes along with the two dogs, a cat, birds, and rabbits. I have a large store and show van also full of magic and illusions, 7ft French Guillotine, Power Saws and more. I have a fair collection of old magic items, 100’s of books about the history of magic, magicians, and tricks. I just love collecting old magic but my greatest love is performing. There is not much new magic; they just change the name of tricks. If you love what you do then hopefully the audience will feel this love and return it.
May magic stay in your life forever!
ESPecialy yours, Alan Dark
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