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Biography
My
interest began with arts and crafts at school. The
best subject for me, this lead into model making,
building toy theatres and puppets. I was maybe
around seven years old and did lots of self
education at the library, making clay and paper
Mache etc. This lead to me doing little shows such
as, Punch and Judy style glove and string puppets
over the back of chairs. I remember seeing a
magician at primary school and soon after I was
given an Ernest Sewell Magic set. After presenting
a family Christmas show at home I was on my way.
I saw
many magicians at local farms fetes, church halls,
country fairs and village halls. Some used
ventriloquist puppets, so I read up all I could in
books at the time and listened to Edger Bergen with
Charlie McCarthy and Peter Brough with Archie
Andrews (radio and films), the top ventriloquists at
the time. In London I further educated myself by
visits to variety theatres, not only to see the
magicians and ventriloquists but every other act, to
learn show business. A neighbour put me in touch
with an amateur concert party and I was asked to
audition I joined we worked in hospitals, clubs, old
peoples homes and charities. Soon after an agent
booked me into clubs and pubs. I found this rough
going but great experience and soon learnt to take
the roughs with the smoothes of show business. I
joined the National Service (army) and we were asked
any hobbies? so soon found myself in army shows.
When posted to the Far East I ran the company
party.
After leaving the National Service I gradually got
back into show business, my aim was to work in
variety theatres. This I did, but theatres was
closing fast as television was taking over as the
new entertainment. I again started to work at clubs
around the country. I did summer shows for seaside
companies and holiday camps, then hotel functions,
dinners and Masonic. Over the years I joined many
magic and puppet clubs and developed my acts for
children's entertainment.
The theatres, clubs and summer shows have all gone
now, my work is mainly private functions, television
(commercials), advice and appearances. I write for
magazines and give talks to magic and puppet
societies I also teach magic, puppets etc.
President of 'The British Association of
Ventriloquists', the London Branch of The
International Brotherhood of Ventriloquists and The
Grand Order of Wizardry. Past Member of The London
Society of Magicians, The Institute of Magicians,
The Magic Circle, The Vampire Club and the British
Puppet and Model Theatre Guild. Author of
'Ventriloquism'. Life Member of Equity
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