Number Plate Stories
Now that's MAG 1C!
Paul Daniels interview
By Ruby Speechley
So how does he feel about TV shows where the magicians reveal their secrets?
“They don’t bother me. It only annoys the amateurs, not the professional magician. You see I know 15 different ways to cut a woman in half – these programs only ever show one. I bought a trick when I was young and could not get any entertainment out of it, even though I obviously knew how it worked. Then I saw a man perform the same trick and he got a fantastic reaction from the audience. At that moment I realised that the secret is never in the trick, it’s always in the performer.”
These days Paul is interested in developing businesses, from internet marketing to The Paul Daniels Magic Shop. For up and coming magicians he has written a complete Masterclass course in magic called How to make money by magic. In 2003 he went on an extensive How to make money by magic tour of Australia, USA and the UK. “Unlike traditional magic lectures, I focused on how to use your existing knowledge of magic to earn money. The emphasis was on the business aspect of show-business. We’ve made the highlights of the tour available on DVD.” Paul has a special ‘Magician’s area’ on his website full of vital tips for budding and performing magicians.
This year Paul has worked in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, but he and the lovely Debbie McGee do still make the occasional television appearances, particularly on reality TV shows such as Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends and The Farm.
As far as number plates goes, he says that if he does decide to look for another plate he will certainly have a flick through the Regtransfers magazine, especially now he’s appeared in it!
Before I go, I ask him if he would mind signing the ace of spades playing card for my thirteen year old son. “Goodness me, you must have been having babies as a child” he says, flattering me by thinking I don’t look old enough. I laugh for the umpteenth time - I’ve really enjoyed being entertained for the past couple of hours - meeting the man himself has not shattered any of my childhood illusions.
