THAT’S EXACTLY THE REMARK MADE BY ED. MARLO when Jack Avis sent him a John Derris effect in one of the hundreds of letters they exchanged for nearly thirty years. Fame indeed and perhaps a sentiment shared by many magicians. For John Derris is not a name in the heady firmament of the stars of magic – the Alex Elmsleys, the Michael Ammars, the Guy Hollingsworths, the Lennart Greens, the Larry Jennings, the Derek Dingles and other past and present giants in the smoke and mirrors world.

But he has been around magic for over half a century, mixed with many of the greats and seen many things magical that are not around anymore. He’s like hundreds of other middle-of-the-road magicians who enjoy the scene and practice it up to a performing standard. But in practical terms he’s pasted up quite a history of his contribution to magic. He’s been a performer since he was fifteen and except for a period when he ran an advertising agency continues today as a full time professional.

He’s performed all over the world from St. Petersburg to St. Albans and still has a full engagement book presenting magic on stage, close-up and in a 60 minute one-man show called “Behind the Doors of The Magic Circle”. As a teenager he won several talent shows developing a precocious comedy style, was called for national service in the R.A.F. and after training toured in revues and plays. Returning to his career in advertising, he trained as a graphic designer, turned to management and later formed his own international advertising agency.

Go back some years and you will find many of his tricks and routines published in “Abracadabra”, “Pentagram” and other magazines worldwide and he also marketed several effects at that time – “Trilogy” a triple prediction effect, “Pen-i-Pin” the penetration of a coin and many others. He has written scores of feature articles and biographies on magic for magazines, has broadcast on the subject and has written two books “Vis a Vis” with Jack Avis and “Come a Little Closer”.

A member of The Inner Magic Circle and awarded their gold star, he regularly performs at their public shows, has served on the council for many years, is an official examiner and covers many of their events for the press in words and pictures. Phew!

Hope you forgive the flag waving but this piece was written in response to many people overseas who said – John Derris – who he!

Filed under: Magic Biographies