Inspiration

Tobias: Thanks again for agreeing to answer our questions, Mr. Daniels. I've noticed that many of us are reluctant to call you 'Paul', by the way!

When I was very small, I had a couple of magic sets and I watched Ray Alan's 'Magic Circle' show (and have the book and annual somewhere in with the rest of my early magic paraphernalia), but it was your TV series that really inspired me to do magic, helped enormously by your oh-so-collectible range(s) of tricks and a couple of rather excellent magic books.

Several years ago, I had one of my best reactions ever from a business card routine that was in your first book and your 'Magic Egg' got an amazed reaction when used for a 20th Century Silk effect at about the same time.

I know that you are very much a businessman and undoubtedly the marketing benefits were important to you, but do you ever think about how much of an influence you must have been on many children (and quite a few adults)? How does it feel to be such an inspirational figure?

Paul Daniels: Hey... I am not taking the blame for you lot!... just kidding. I am glad that so many people are enjoying this great hobby and the majority of them do seem to play it by the rules.

As for the Mr Daniels bit... that comes with age... you have to earn it by staying alive!

Magic as a Business/Drawing the Line

Jonathan B.: First of all, thanks for taking the time to join magic bunny for a week.

You're answer to a question about magic as a business was:-

"... yes, I do consider this to be a business and I wanted to create, like most businesses, the greatest income from my business...At the same time I was/am aware that it is also an ART form."

Eugene Burger once said something to the effect of sponge balls being where art and commerce collide.

Could you give us an example of where you would draw the line. Perhaps something you wouldn't do for money [magically speaking(!)] or perhaps something you did do because people enjoy it but about which you had your doubts as to its artistic merit.

Paul Daniels: Well now Eugene my old friend (you don't mind if I talk directly to him?) THAT depends on who is performing the Sponge Balls and what kind of 'theatre' is being created. Johnny Paul doing the Balls created wonderful Theatre of Comedy. I am sure that it could be done to classical music and when Goshman or Slydini did them it was simply AMAZING and caught you out every time.

I wouldn't draw the line as to WHAT I would do; I would draw the line as to HOW I would do it.

Examples: I hate camera tricks and editing to make the magic happen, and I hate pre-stooges.

Wipeout

Daren: Now I am not getting my hopes up on this, but do you remember me appearing on your game show 'Wipeout', must of been at least 10 years ago, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and the other contestants on the show had a great day!

On a different note do you use the memorised deck, if so what stack do you favour?

Paul Daniels: I'm glad that your hopes aren't up because, sadly, I don't. It isn't you, it's just that when doing TV series, I used to 'wipe' the show from my mind as soon as I did it to give me a kind of spontaneity in the next one!

I have used various memorised decks so rarely. I know that they can be a great weapon but I don't really have a good use for one. Hey…pick one, REALLY learn it in GREAT depth and have fun. Remember that it isn't until you know any method totally that you can relax into entertaining people with it.

Skrepp: I have used the (eight kings threaten to save ninety five ladies for one sick nave) for many years Peter.

Paul Daniels: They tell me that there are better ones but I, too, have used that and I know that Chan Canasta used to use it all the time on TV.

Others do not seem to have the same simplicity, but give you a greater range of effects.

Magic is nice: 20 years ago if you asked someone to name a magician they would say Paul Daniels. Now if you ask them they might say Jonno Goodwin, Chris Woz, Tariq Knight, Paul Firman etc. in other words there is no leading light. There are no heroes any more. Why do you think there is no dominating name in magic? I don't count Derren Brown as he does nouveau control rather than magic.

Paul Daniels: Oddly enough, unless the person is below 16, they still tend to name me, which I always find amazing. That will fade away of course.

The TV gods on BBC and ITV don't like magic and until they are changed there will be no 'name' in magic.... but they will go and the time will come.

Don't write Derren off... or you will become a 'believer'... he does magic tricks!

Family

John Doe: Your son, Martin, is also an accomplished magician. Do you think he has found the family name a help or hindrance? By hindrance I mean do you think he come up against bitterness, people saying “he only gets gigs because of who his dad is” etc…

Paul Daniels: I am sure that has happened in the past and will happen until people see him work. He is very good at his job although soon he might be giving it up to become a radio DJ. The money will be less but he will be able to see his family more.