Magic Stories

Mandy Davis: The Inside Magic Interview

 

The Incredible Mandy Davis

There are magicians introduced at conventions or lectures the following way: “This magician needs no introduction . . .” and then the emcee spends the next five minutes introducing us to the person we have paid to see. Mandy Davis, on the other hand, is a magician for whom no introduction should be necessary but since she is British, we feel obliged to offer a proper introduction.

Ms. Davis’ biography on the Magic Circle website begins, “A female magician – a rare thing indeed! But not the only difference.”

There are few female magicians, and even fewer female magicians who have passed the performance examination for entrance into the most exclusive sanctum of the Magic Circle. In many ways, our craft is still one dominated by men and/or boys. There may not be active discrimination against female practitioners but, unfortunately, there is rarely active encouragement of their chosen path.

Ms. Davis was reminds us of another very talented magician who happens to be female, Trixie Bond. The two performers share the same enthusiasm for our art and their excitement is contagious. They are often correctly credited with encouraging magicians of all ages and skill-levels to continue in the profession. It would be sexist to suggest they lack some of the cut-throat, jealousy often found among mid-level male magicians but we’ll say it anyway.

Ms. Davis has been professional since 1996 and is a member of Equity, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, until recently Chairman of her local magic club, Associate of the Inner Magic Circle of the prestigious Magic Circle and well-known for her amiable style and incredible work.

But what prompted us to steal some of her very precious time? Number one, we’re selfish and care only about what makes us look good. Having an interview with one of the top magicians working today makes us look great. Number two, we knew she’d be too nice to decline.

Recently, Ms. Davis took on the position of Editor of ‘Secrets’ the magazine for the members of The Young Magicians Club which is part of the youth Initiative of The Magic Circle. Peter McCahon held the position until his untimely and tragic death in Mid-December. Ms. Davis accepted the offer to continue Mr. McCahon’s excellent work.

Inside Magic: What convinced you to take this on?

Where do I start? I suppose with the very first job……….

I was approached about five years ago and asked if I would write the bi-monthly newsletter which was a double-sided sheet. The editor of the YMC magazine at the time was doing the newsletter too but was getting too busy to do both. The magazine at the time was a black and white almost-but-not-quite-photocopied journal.

After taking on the newsletter I decided to go to a one off workshop to see what YMC did. I discovered that they had an excellent one hour workshop on the back of another magic event but it was only good for members with considerable knowledge – beginners or unskilled card workers were left staring into space and bored……..

So I started to nag about having workshops for…

 

The Incredible Mandy Davis

There are magicians introduced at conventions or lectures the following way: “This magician needs no introduction . . .” and then the emcee spends the next five minutes introducing us to the person we have paid to see. Mandy Davis, on the other hand, is a magician for whom no introduction should be necessary but since she is British, we feel obliged to offer a proper introduction.

Ms. Davis’ biography on the Magic Circle website begins, “A female magician – a rare thing indeed! But not the only difference.”

There are few female magicians, and even fewer female magicians who have passed the performance examination for entrance into the most exclusive sanctum of the Magic Circle. In many ways, our craft is still one dominated by men and/or boys. There may not be active discrimination against female practitioners but, unfortunately, there is rarely active encouragement of their chosen path.

Ms. Davis was reminds us of another very talented magician who happens to be female, Trixie Bond. The two performers share the same enthusiasm for our art and their excitement is contagious. They are often correctly credited with encouraging magicians of all ages and skill-levels to continue in the profession. It would be sexist to suggest they lack some of the cut-throat, jealousy often found among mid-level male magicians but we’ll say it anyway.

Ms. Davis has been professional since 1996 and is a member of Equity, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, until recently Chairman of her local magic club, Associate of the Inner Magic Circle of the prestigious Magic Circle and well-known for her amiable style and incredible work.

But what prompted us to steal some of her very precious time? Number one, we’re selfish and care only about what makes us look good. Having an interview with one of the top magicians working today makes us look great. Number two, we knew she’d be too nice to decline.

Recently, Ms. Davis took on the position of Editor of ‘Secrets’ the magazine for the members of The Young Magicians Club which is part of the youth Initiative of The Magic Circle. Peter McCahon held the position until his untimely and tragic death in Mid-December. Ms. Davis accepted the offer to continue Mr. McCahon’s excellent work.

Inside Magic: What convinced you to take this on?

Where do I start? I suppose with the very first job……….

I was approached about five years ago and asked if I would write the bi-monthly newsletter which was a double-sided sheet. The editor of the YMC magazine at the time was doing the newsletter too but was getting too busy to do both. The magazine at the time was a black and white almost-but-not-quite-photocopied journal.

After taking on the newsletter I decided to go to a one off workshop to see what YMC did. I discovered that they had an excellent one hour workshop on the back of another magic event but it was only good for members with considerable knowledge – beginners or unskilled card workers were left staring into space and bored……..

So I started to nag about having workshops for all levels and after six months I was allowed to organize first a regional one hour workshop and then the first one to take place at our IBM convention. Two three hour workshops followed at The Magic Circle HQ – and then I decided to really get these things up and running. I suggested they take place every month and last all day. This was agreed and from seven members attending we now have around 65-70 each month! I try to beg or cajole top names in magic to come along and spend the day teaching all aspects from close up and stage tricks to performance and presentational skills. Last month we had a TV producer working with us on the way to perform magic on TV.

So I have been organizing these workshop for four years – and writing the newsletter. However in December last year we were faced with the sudden death of our wonderful Peter McCahon who had taken on the editorship of ‘Secrets’ two years earlier and had only just begun to produce it as a super glossy magazine, the envy of many publishers. The chairman of YMC, Roy Marsh, approached me and asked me if I would take over as editor. This was not the way I wanted this job but – I’d had ambitions to be a journalist and an editor of a magazine since I was seven years old – how could I refuse?

Inside Magic: Is there a significant difference between the younger magicians and the more established professionals? Similarities?

The similarities between younger magicians and more established ones can be a problem. Some young people are still performing classic magic in old fashioned styles and without any thought to updating what they are doing. Tail coats and top hats just don’t work on young people – yet they still go that route. Young magicians are performing tricks straight out of the box as per the instructions. I would never read the routine sold with a trick – I want to find my own way.

Differences? I think, in some respects, young magicians gathered in one place are very generous in helping each other to learn and in showing each other tricks. Some older magicians can be like that but there are definitely those who keep their magic to themselves. I believe that the workshops help to develop the sharing process as older people didn’t have this type of facility when they were younger and tended to practice alone in their bedrooms.

That is my theory on why there are fewer female magicians – boys are happy with their own company, working on tricks alone whilst girls are very social and sociable and need to be with their friends constantly. They won’t enjoy working with a pack of cards alone.

Inside Magic: How can a young person join the youth division?

Visit our web site at: http://www.youngmagiciansclub.com

Secrets Cover

Inside Magic: Will the youth division have any special activities for the Magic Circle’s Centennial?

This has been a difficult one. The price of the tickets for The Magic Circle Centenary could not be reduced for young people and are very expensive. However the Young Magicians Club has been granted two things:

On the Saturday of the convention the dealer hall will be accessible to our young members free of charge all day on production of a current YMC membership card.

Also on that day, during the lunchtime period, I am organizing an Autograph Party for YMC members only. As many stars of magic as I can find will be invited to join us for an informal get-together – to chat, give autographs and have photos taken. We hope there will be drinks and nibbles to give it a proper party atmosphere.

Inside Magic: How many people are in the group?

Group? Depends what you mean by group!

The Young Magicians Club has just under 700 members.

The workshops in London attract around 60 -70 each month from all over the country.

Inside Magic: And who officially ‘runs’ the club? The young magicians, The Magic Circle, or both?

YMC is run by a small band of members of The Magic Circle:

YMC President – Alan Shaxon (President of The Magic Circle) Vice-President – Richard Stupple (who started YMC in 1996) Chairman – Roy Marsh Secretary & Newsletter – Rob Page Treasurer – James Fortune Web site – Gordon Drayson Supplementary Education – Kevin Doig

Our most treasured possession – and a fixture at every workshop – is our Honorary Life Vice President Ali Bongo.

And then there’s me!

Inside Magic: Finally, if a young person (anywhere in the world) wanted to get into magic, what would you suggest he or she do?

Go to the library and read the magic books available there. Then start to practice what you have learned, adding to this as you go along with visits to magic shops. Try to take drama, speech and movement/dance classes – these will be of the greatest importance to you. And find local magic gatherings, clubs, societies etc to share your knowledge and learn more.

Inside Magic: Thank you, Mandy. You are very inspiring and we know the kids are lucky to have you. We are lucky to have someone of your dedication and enthusiasm working with our most important constitute.

Check out the SYM page for more information.

Download a PDF of the Secrets cover — very impressive. (PDF Zip File).

 

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