Magic by Goldie

I started to learn magic in 2016. I have had the privilege to have had some of the finest and most respected teachers and mentors in magic world today. I learnt my craft with one of the most knowledgeable and expert magicians, Justin Higham, and have been mentored and inspired by Fay Presto. 

I have been very fortunate. From my first week in magic, I have had expert guidance and tuition from many magic legends such as Tom Whitestone, Simon Lovell, Eddie O’Shaunessy, Robert Pound and Jack Delvin, all of whom have become good friends. As member of the Magic Circle, I regularly attend the Monday night club meeting where I catch up with old friends, make new ones and extended my knowledge of magic. 

Magic in Italy

I live part of the year in the Italian mountains, in the beautiful Gran Sasso National Park, where I have been performing magic in Italian for two years. I have performed at public festas, birthday parties, restaurants and private functions. 

Background 

I was a designer and milliner for 14 years, designing and making hats for high end retailers including Debenhams. I retrained as a teacher and dyslexia specialist working for the a Local Authority and schools across London. I have worked with adults and children with dyslexic, dyspraxia and autism for 25 years. 

Magic Journey

As a young child my father would do cards tricks which he had seen in India. India has a rich history of magic with many tricks originating from the subcontinent and, of course, everyone is aware of the snake charmers! Like most members of my generation, I fondly remember watching the television performances of David Nixon and Tommy Cooper with my family. 

My personal journey in magic started with a chance conversation with one of my 16 year old autistic students, Harry. Harry had a tendency to repeat himself and, in trying to get him out of this loop, I asked him about his Christmas. Harry had learnt to respond to a question by asking the same question in return, even though I doubt he was very interested in my Christmas.  I told him that we had had an unusual family Christmas because I had bought some Christmas crackers containing magic tricks. Immediately interested, Harry said he did magic and asked me to perform a trick. However, apart from two items, I had thrown away all the tricks and particularly the instructions. I promised I would look up the instructions and perform the trick for him the following week. When I did so it precipitated the first real conversation I had had with Harry in three years. I realised then that perhaps I should explore additional avenues in order to reach and engage with some of my students. I started to use magic as a reward and therapeutically in my work. 

I promised the students that, if they completed their homework, I would perform a new trick every week. This was in complete ignorance of what an incredibly difficult task I had set myself! Nevertheless, I have endeavoured fulfil that promise. My teaching schedule allowed me to perform to 30 to 40 students per week. It has been an ideal opportunity to improve rapidly. 

I am delighted to say that several of my students, particularly the girls, have requested Marvin’s magic sets as gifts!. 

Another unexpected and very positive outcome has been on the effect on the pupils I teach in schools. Frequently, children who are withdrawn from a mainstream classroom can feel stigmatised but once I started to do magic they became the envy of the rest of the class and suddenly found themselves to be the most popular pupils in the school.