Rich:

Hi Mark,

Many thanks for taking the time to answer these questions; you must have a very busy schedule!

On a related subject, I am always fascinated at how magicians such as you manage to perform full-time and keep a fresh performance, but at the same time run a very successful and demanding business. I have bought from you a number of times in the past, and each transaction was much faster and more personally treated than most other companies I've dealt with (and they don't have to run off to do a show every so often . )

Looking at your extensive summary, I know that you also organize 'ImagE' and the symposium as well as so many other activities, so how do you find the time and energy to manage both a performing career and your online shop?

Well, thanks very much for your kind comments. When I first started selling magic in 1978 I set out with a few of my own personal ground rules for how I would do it. I decided that no matter how big the business eventually grew, I would always try to maintain a personal approach. That is why I have always processed orders myself wherever possible - it helps me not only to keep a close eye on what is selling and what customers want, but it enables me to fashion some sort of a personal relationship with my customers so that they feel that they can ask my advice and that I will give them an honest opinion suitable for them, rather than just attempting to extract as much money from them as possible! The personal approach extends to a personally signed compliment slip with every mail order, with answering the 'phone personally whenever I am in the office, and by trying to keep customers informed about the state of their order or enquiry. I try to reply to emails and other enquiries as quickly as possible, because I like to try and treat my customers in the same way that I like to be treated when I am buying from others.

Of course, having a personal approach does have a price. I work from an office in my home so I am never very far away from my business, which can mean it's difficult to switch off and totally relax. But it also means that I am able to keep pretty much on top of things and thus remain as efficient as is humanly possible.

I really enjoy doing the shows. I couldn't make a living from the number of shows I do a year if that was all I did, but as a complete contrast to sitting in my office dealing with orders it is wonderful. I not only get to exercise the outgoing and extrovert side of my character, but also get the chance to try out all my marketed items well before they hit the marketplace, something which I feel is very important. I have often made changes to ideas as a result of actually using them in shows, and I am convinced that I would probably not have made those changes if the idea had gone straight from concept to the marketplace without the trial in between.

Organising the conventions is another string to the bow. The Symposium started because I felt very dissatisfied with the way close up was treated at the bigger conventions and I wanted to give it more of a platform, more of an importance, and so by teaming up with my long time magical friend Chris Payne, we managed to create the Symposium.

ImagE came about in a similar way. I noticed that workshops were being offered by some of the bigger conventions, but that really they were more like extra pay lectures and not what I would call a genuine hands-on practical workshop. So I started the Interactive Magic Experience workshop days in order to try and make available genuine practical workshops with limited numbers and proper access to the tutors.

Doc:

Also Mark, I think I'm correct that you have a family too? Do they see much of you? Do you set aside "family time" in amongst your schedule?

Yes, I've been married for 26 years and I have two children, Tim who is about to be 21 and my daughter Chrissie who is 18. I am very much a family man. I love being at home and it has been a total dream for me to be able to work at home for most of my working life as it has meant that I have taken a full role in the lives of my children in a way that many fathers are unable to do. I am very close to my kids too and we have a great relationship for which I am extremely grateful.

My wife and I have always tried to make sure that we have leisure time, because with my job it is all too easy to say 'yes' to everything and simply work every day of the year! So, each year we get our diaries and block out leisure time for the entire year, periods when we will be taking short breaks away in our motorhome or longer holidays abroad. By blocking out time in advance, it means I know when I can and cannot accept bookings for shows, lectures, dealers dems and conventions and in this way we try to make sure that we both get much needed rest and time together.

Gary Scott:

Hi Mark,

I find magicians from the USA to be the better entertainers. They are more outgoing in nature.

What do you think are the main differences between the two and how did you find you were accepted by a USA audience?

I'm not sure that American entertainers are necessarily more extrovert that the Brits, although I guess sometimes their style can be a bit more abrasive perhaps than ours. Television has meant that people's taste in comedy has become more standardised over the last 20 years, but despite this there is still some mileage to be got from the differences in vocabulary and accent. I think when American performers come to the UK their accent is interesting to listen to. It is certainly true going back the other way, as Americans usually love the British accent because they think we all sound so posh! There are plays on words which don't always translate, and I think the British like to put themselves down in their humour more than the Americans do too.

When I've worked in the US I haven't really found any major problems. People seem to react in pretty much the same way as they do in the UK - you know, booing and throwing things! I haven't worked for the American public very much, only for US magic clubs and at their conventions, so I have the advantage that they usually know who I am before I get there and so may well be predisposed towards me in advance.

Doc:

How was it performing for the world famous L+L audience??
And can you give us any details as to what will be on these DVDs and when they're due to be released?
(If you want to send me a free set to review I'd be more than happy! ;) )

I was at L&L last August to make 4 DVDs and it was a fantastic experience. In some ways at times it was slightly surreal - having seen the L&L set on DVDs and then to suddenly be standing there myself facing the audience gave me a great buzz and Louis and the team were fantastic hosts. You work hard while you're there but they look after you so well that all you have to concentrate on is performing and explaining your effects.

The L&L audience are obviously an ugly bunch!! They are totally over the top with their reactions which I found a bit embarrassing at first, but I have to say that it does lend a certain atmosphere and dynamism to proceedings which just wouldn't be there if they simply clapped politely and reacted in a more muted way. The people who come are also genuinely enthusiastic about magic! There is little that is fake about their keeness, and they really do come for a good time when they volunteer to spend a day in the recording studio. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience!

The DVDs we've taped consist of one which will have all 12 Master Routines on it, and then a further set of three featuring a sort of 'greatest hits' of my material both past and present. This was especially interesting for me to put together as it meant me going back through my material and trying to select a range of items which not only had not been on tape before but which also was a representative collection of the magic that I have been doing for the last 20 years. I don't know exactly when it will all be ready for release as it is out of my hands, but possibly not until next year.