Graham: As a busy professional, both for laymen and peers, how do you resist the temptation to switch onto autopilot? I noticed during our conversation at Blackpool that some of your patter lines slipped into the conversation, and wondered if you feel the lines becoming blurred due to constant performing.

Kind regards,

Graham

Daryl: Graham,

I realize that I do occasionally slip into “autopilot” (while performing) particularly when I’m over tired. I don’t think the lines are blurred from constant performing as much as I feel most of my patter lines come from my everyday life. When I perform an effect for the first time, I do not plan my patter. I just say what comes naturally. Most of what I said originally stays then I add jokes and bits later to increase the entertainment value.

Bergy: Hi Daryl
Thank you for the chance to ask you a few questions.

Now you are so successful what ambitions do you have in magic now?
Also who were your greatest influences?

Thanks again

Bergy

Daryl: Bergy,

Now that Caesars Magical Empire has closed and I have moved my family to the country, I would like to find a new “regular/steady” performing outlet.

My greatest influences (I’m going to assume that you mean magicians) were: Dai Vernon, Slydini, Fred Kaps, and Brother John Hamman.

Daniel Price: Hey Daryl,

My question is a “what if”.

The only professional magician I know of that has another job is John Bannon (although there are probably many, many more) who is a lawyer and a professional and published magician (though I hear his career as a lawyer has surpassed his career as a professional magician on the failure to release his “cardzilla” book).

What job do you think you would do if you weren’t a magician?

Daryl: Daniel,

If I were not a magician, I’d probably be some kind of pitchman. That way I could continue to perform and have the instant gratification of the response – of course in the case of a pitchman that would also mean people fighting to give me hands full of cash! Failing that, I’ve fantasized about being a professional blackjack player who travels around the world being comped at the finest hotel casinos, eating at the best restaurants, and seeing the best shows, while earning big bucks!

Nigel: Many pop stars have writers who compose their music and set their lyrics, do you have a team who provide inspiration for your effects or are these the result of your own inspiration?

Daryl: Nigel,

I do not have a team of helpers, and I’m happy to say that I look for my own inspiration.

Nigel: You may have heard of the hot air balloon game:

Ten different people are caught in a sinking hot air balloon travelling over the ocean and then the balloon starts to sink towards the sea. One-by-one each person has to explain why he/she should remain and then, after they have all spoken, one of them is thrown out, in order to save the others.

What would you say, as a professional magician, to defend your place in the balloon?

Daryl: Nigel,

First, I’d offer to play a quick hand of Three Card Monte for my place in the balloon! Just kidding!

I’d explain that what I do brings pleasure to countless people. More important than that, is the fact that I teach others to do what I do so that they may bring pleasure to countless people as well. These new people who experience the magic may be inspired to learn magic and spread the pleasure as well.  I plant the seeds and the number of people who enjoy the benefits multiplies like the inverted base of a pyramid.

Sam: As a respected Full time, professional magician what would be the one piece of advice you would give to any magician new to the art form if they wished to further their career.

Daryl: Sam,

Learn simple, sure-fire, angle-proof commercial effects that you can perform under any conditions. Master them and perform them flawlessly then add an interesting presentation! Don’t waste your time with difficult and complicated methods.

Damien: Hi Daryl, so nice of you to join us

What is your full list of regular venues that you perform in? By this I mean the environments and types of places such as restaurants, parties etc.

Also which one of these is your favourite?

Best wishes

Damien

Daryl: Damien,

At the moment, I have no “regular” performing venues. My last regular performing venue was Caesars Magical Empire in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas where I performed six shows a night, five nights a week. I still perform at corporate and private parties as they present themselves.

My favorite performing venue is a straight “show” where the audience members purchased their tickets and they’re sitting down in a theatre setting waiting for the performance to begin.