Under the guidance and trained magic hands of Roy Davenport, one of the two younger sons of Betty Davenport, it has been years in the concept and construction from the ground up and is of a quality and appeal that it has attracted the attention and support of the regional administration which now recognises it as a major tourist attraction.

That’s all I know but it means that in the U.K. we have a magic attraction to rival the Houdin magic exhibition in France and a tourist attraction to be considered by the public alongside, Alton Towers, Legoland, Chessington and others. I imagine not as big but certainly with a high interest for the public and a very worthwhile, major event in magic today. Watch for the opening date. Congratulations and thanks to the Davenport family.

He was funny, acerbic, polished and entertaining but not in the mode of many “modern” comedians. And not at the expense of the magic. A rope routine. A Sam the Bell Hop type sequence with giant cards and many other standards that have passed through a thousand other magic hands without achieving similar impact. He knows his magic and can turn to pretty well anything. It was himself that was different. And he works mainly to lay audiences – a valuable secret.

A few weeks ago he won the Ken Dodd Award for comedy at the Blackpool convention, presented undoubtedly because of his entertainment value not because of a stunning double lift. It was inevitable .I’m talking here about Mel Mellers. One of the most refreshing, professional, value for money magic acts around at the present time in my view.

Always working, (he’s endlessly on a cruise ship somewhere in the world) his attacking but avuncular style of wit cannot easily be copied for he has a personality that can deliver without giving offence that tells you secretly that it’s all in fun. Most of us cannot do that. He is a present day Roy Benson and magic is the better for having his example in a vast army of conjurers that stretch from here to the horizon. Scan the internet at anytime and check out the acres of well designed and written websites and you’ll see what I mean.

After many attempts Martin MacMillan managed to get him to a magic lecture at International Magic recently which I attended and it confirmed what I’ve always believed. Magic isn’t about technique and secrets – its about performances. If you get a chance to book him for your local society do it – you’ll learn about the magic of how to work a crowd.

A lot of my time was spent in a wine bar near Davenports called Champagne Charlies underneath Charing Cross station hence the title of the new book –“ Days of Wine and Magic”. Should be out in the next couple of months. There are some tasty items in close up, stage and mental as well as a lot of information about magic and magicians over the last fifty years or so! Your favourite dealer will probably have it but if not you can always contact me direct .

Sell yourself.

I have a wall at home with a bookcase from floor to ceiling and half of that space is filled with cases of lecture notes that I’ve collected at magic presentations all over the world in the last fifty years or so! Some of them are quite brilliant but so much to do…so little time! Which is why at sunset time I’ve become more interested in performances rather than technique. Not that I arrogantly think I know it all – I don’t – but I am more inspired by seeing a magic effect or routine performed with a sense of theatre and stagecraft. As Pat Page used to say – Magic isn’t about secrets – it’s about performances.

I remember at FISM in The Hague some years ago when it was a toss up for the Grand Prix of the event between a quite outstanding, young, good looking Korean magician who performed manipulations with cards, silks and doves – familiar fare but presented quite brilliantly.Absolutely. No question. And a French magician with very few props and stage setting who performed excellent manipulations but with a presentation and style that embraced a goofy, eccentric character something like M. Hulot with much facial and body expression. Very French. Very Comedie Francais!

The Frenchman won it . It was Norbert Ferre. I was delighted. Hooray for stagecraft. And later when speaking with him he told me that he was a child psychologist working with handicapped kids and the goofy character he used for his magic was successfully developed in order to connect and communicate with his disadvantaged flock. What a great story.

So put down that pack whilst you try out a new double lift you read about from Joshua Jay and read what Joanie Spina can tell you about stagecraft. (She helped stage the Copperfield show) Remember , if they like you…they’ll like your magic. Sell yourself.

Drinking wine…making Magic.

Magic Notes from a Wine Tavern.

Magic, Medoc and me.

Days of Wine and Magic.

Magic and a Noggin

Wizardry at a Wine Bar

The Wine Sipping Sorcerer

What do you think? Your comments would be welcome or if you have a suggestion for a title and we adopt it for the book, you’ll get a free copy of the first printing. Thanks for your interest.By the way. One of the top magicians in the world has seen the text of the book and said, quite truthfully……”Your book is excellent!”

 Add to that the fact that Peter Lane, librarian at the Magic Circle told me that he had found many effects and routines of mine that were published  fifty years ago in Peter Warlocks magazine The Pentagram in fact around 30 -40 plus other magazines of the day – Genii, Abra, and many others. He also pointed  out that many magicians today weren’t even born then and might be interested. Anyhow, it was suggested that in my Autumn years that I put that lot together in a new book (and truthfully there are some really good items amongst them). Which is why in recent weeks I’ve been writing furiously and taking masses of photographs (it is very well illustrated) and includes near ly 50 items that will appeal I believe right across the spectrum of magi whatever your interest. Production has just started and tentatively it’s called “Champagne Charlies Magic Notebook” (an explanation will follow later) and it’s already received excellent comment from some of our top magicians who have asked to be associated with it. So big apologies for the silence but I’ll keep you posted on its development.

Will have some interesting announcements soon. Got a new book which is in the writing stage at  the moment – interesting concept different from most of the current material on the market. With nearly 70 ideas and routines! Some close-up, some stage ideas, some ideal for parlour magic. Contents that will suit the all-round club magician rather than the specialist for which there are scores of books already. Watch out for it – it’s called “Champagne Charlies Magic Notebook” Clearing out a lot of my books and have ring-fenced what I’m only interested in at my time of life. Same with gimmicks and effects.

Ten years ago I marketed an effect – Mirrorcle - in which a pen visibly penetrated a handbag mirror. Had a great routine with a swish leather case for the mirror reputedly from Marilyn Monroe; it took the Cornelius pen to another stage and has been good for me for over ten years.  Following a recent lecture have had many requests for a newly styled model  l’m using  so it may be on the market soon – in the costing stage at the moment but will keep you posted. Remember - Mirrorcle! A big time very visual  illusion that fits into the close-up performance.

These are all just off the cuff notes to accompany my greetings to friends with the hope that there are some good times to come. Look forward  and seize the day!